Today, May 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had a meeting with Czech President Miloš Zeman at Prague Castle, the presidential residence of the Czech Republic.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya told the Czech president that Russia's aggression against Ukraine has strongly politicized Belarusian society, giving rise to the Anti-War Movement and partisan resistance within the country. The national leader of Belarus spoke about Belarusian activists in Ukraine, as well as volunteers supporting Ukrainians and fighting for the country. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted that Lukashenka is trying to drag Belarus into the war, despite Belarusians’ adamant opposition, and stressed the need to distinguish between the regime and the people, as the regime cannot represent Belarusians.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Zeman for supporting the Belarusian democratic movement and the Belarusian diaspora, since he had met with Belarusians of the Czech Republic several weeks ahead of meeting Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. President Zeman said that he uses every occasion to ensure support for Belarusian students by promoting more scholarships and visas. Mr. Zeman and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the recent bill, which had been broadly discussed among Belarusians, that could block the opportunity to relocate to Czechia. President Zeman assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya that the Czech Republic will not discriminate against Belarusians and expressed hope that the bill would be altered accordingly.
President Zeman assured Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya that his Office is holding consultations with the Czech government and doing everything possible to establish a Belarusian Representative Office in Prague. The President suggested that it be called The House of Belarus and expressed hope for its opening as early as in the fall this year. The President said he would be pleased to attend the opening and would appreciate it if The House of Belarus becomes a good place for representatives of the democratic forces, as well as various Belarusian organizations, initiatives, and communities of the Belarusian diaspora.
The President pledged to discuss the Representative Office opening and visas for Belarusians at the next meeting with the Czech Prime Minister.
