During her visit to Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a joint session of the Polish Sejm, Senate, and the Committees on Foreign and European Affairs. Polish MPs, experts, and politicians attended the session, as well as representatives of the Belarusian community: Pavel Latushka, Aliaksandr Milinkevich, Anatoli Liabedzka, Anzhalika Melnikava, Marharyta Vorykhava, Alina Koushyk, Vlad Kobets, and Matsvei Kupreichyk.
In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya focused on political prisoners in Belarus, cooperation with the democratic forces, and regional security, calling for supporting Belarusians in Poland and distinguishing between Belarusians and the regime. The leader emphasized that for Belarusians, Poland is a symbol of freedom, solidarity, and the European future they continue to fight for every day.
- “While dictators try to poison our people with the ‘Russian world’ and isolate them from the free world, we must strengthen human connections by issuing visas, ensuring each other’s safety, organizing exchanges, and providing scholarships. I urge you not to lump Belarus together with Russia. Our societies and the environments they exist in are different. Belarusian society has already made its choice”.
- “Sometimes I hear opinions suggesting it might be worth negotiating with Lukashenka to guard him from Putin. This is a mistake. Lukashenka is not defending Belarus’ independence. On the contrary, he is a threat to our independence. His sole goal is to cling to power at any cost”.
“Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have found a safe haven in Poland. They participate in public life, volunteer, and donate to support Ukraine and our volunteer fighters. These people are a treasure and an essential part of our democratic movement. They need support. We need to make their lives easier”.
