On December 16th, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union. They discussed the situation in Belarus and the EU assistance needed for civil society. Tsikhaouskaya talked about how the regime is building the Iron Curtain and returning the country to the days of Stalinism, isolating the people from the rest of the world as much as possible. She emphasized how important it is for Europe to be open and transparent in its actions, showing the steps it is taking to make Belarusians see and feel the EU's support.
They also discussed the new package of sanctions adopted by the EU, and the planned 4th and 5th sanctions packages, which could include more companies, including state-owned enterprises, which repress workers.
Tsikhanouskaya and Borrell also discussed the possibility of initiating criminal proceedings in different EU countries under universal jurisdiction to bring to justice the OMON, GUBOPiK and all those responsible for crimes against humanity.
Borrell was interested in the situation with political prisoners in Belarus and possible ways of their release, including the fate of Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He also discussed with Tsikhanouskaya how Russia influences the situation and whether Lukashenka is helping. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that independence and sovereignty are the central values for Belarusians, who go out to peaceful protests every day.
Borrell is well informed about everything that is happening in Belarus and said that this issue is on the daily agenda of the EU, because it is important for Europeans that Belarus becomes a free democratic country.
