Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Riga. After opening the Art from Behind Bars exhibition, she attended the event “The Role of Belarus in the Political and Security Architecture of Europe: Perspectives from the Baltic Region”, organized by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the “Belarus Research Network for Neighborhood Policy” project.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech:
- Today’s parades in Minsk and Moscow are not a celebration of peace but an attempt to justify war: “Today, on May 9, we remember the victims of World War II. This day used to mark a victory over evil – now it is used to justify evil itself. In Minsk and Moscow, we’ll see military parades and propaganda shows. But we must not be deceived. This is not a celebration of peace. It is a campaign to legitimize brutal, aggressive war”.
- As long as Lukashenka is in power, Belarus will remain a launchpad for Russian aggression: “Russian troops must be withdrawn not only from Ukraine but also from Belarus, including their nuclear weapons. We must not allow a new Yalta, where the fates of nations are decided behind their backs”.
- Only in Europe – not in the ‘Russian world’ – can Belarusians preserve their language, identity, and future: “In 2020, Belarusians voted for change. They voted for Europe. Despite the terror, this desire has not faded. Once Belarus regains full sovereignty, we will begin the process of European integration – just as Latvians did two decades ago”.
