Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Germany, where she took part in the Westphalian Peace Conference in Münster. The event was attended by numerous German politicians, including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech, urging Western partners to remain united against dictatorship, emphasizing the link between democracy and security, highlighting the ongoing repression in Belarus, and encouraging support for the country’s European future:
“Democracies must show their strength. I’m not only talking about military power. Military might means nothing without societies willing to defend their freedom. That’s why investing in people is so crucial.
Democracies won the Cold War through courage, consistency, and soft power. Thanks to activists and dissidents supported by the free world. Thanks to independent voices like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. That’s why supporting free media and voices of resistance is vital.
Our goal is a European Belarus. For us, the European Union is what West Berlin was for East Germany – a beacon of hope and freedom.
No one longs for peace more than Ukrainians and Belarusians. But peace cannot be built on submission. Peace is more than just the absence of war. It is also justice.
For us, peace will come when Russia withdraws not only from Ukraine but also from Belarus. When Belarusians can choose their future without fear of the ‘big brother’ in the East. When the dictatorship is dismantled and thousands of families are reunited. When we no longer wake up to check the list of detainees. When my children can finally hug their father again”.
