During her visit to Germany, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the German Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner. She thanked him for supporting Belarus over the past three years. Mr. Lindner was the first German politician to protest outside the Belarusian embassy after August 9, 2020, and the diaspora is extremely grateful to him for that.
They discussed a joint strategy and coordination between Germany and Belarus, including pressure on the regime, sanctions, and isolation of the Lukashenka regime. They also talked about how to support civil society, activists within the country, and Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine, as well as how to hold the regime accountable. The minister assured Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Germany's support for the democratic forces and democratic change in Belarus.
The parties also discussed increasing support for independent media, as well as the Belarusian service of Deutsche Welle. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya talked about the situation with political prisoners, who are being held in terrible conditions, with many needing urgent medical treatment, some in critical condition. The regime is keeping all political prisoners in complete isolation and placing many into solitary confinement. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need for decisive action.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also talked about the attitudes in Belarusian society. She noted that people do not support Belarus' involvement in the war and that people are joining the partisan movement or going to fight in Ukraine. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between Belarusians and the regime, as well as between Belarusians and Russians. People must not be isolated or denied entry. Instead, they must have visa opportunities, while the repressed should be welcomed in Germany.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya urged Germany to keep Belarus as a priority because Belarus is part of the crisis but can potentially also be part of its solution. She talked about the organizations of democratic forces, including the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council, which unites Belarusian civil society. They help create a positive alternative for Belarusians and prepare for change.
