Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya:
“Dear excellencies, distinguished speakers,
Friends of democracy, and friends of freedom,
For the whole last century, we, Belarusians, were among those who lived in the black shadow of Russia. Together with Lithuanians, Estonians, Ukrainians, Georgians and many other nations.
Eventually, we all have stepped out of this shadow. We Belarusians definitely did it in 2020, with our peaceful revolution that still goes on.
After 2020, the whole world knows that Belarus is not Russia. And will never be.
In Russia, an individual life with its needs traditionally means almost nothing. And it means almost nothing for Lukashenka.
This is what distinguishes Lukashenka from Belarusian people, and Russia from Europe.
Respect for every individual, for human lives and human rights, freedom of speech, tolerance and rule of law – these are European values. These are also Belarusian values, nurtured by centuries of our European history.
The world should stop thinking of Belarus as some part of Russia. We have a different culture, a different history, a different language. We have our own identity. We were part of Europe many centuries before Russia came to Belarus.
Belarus was Europe and will always be Europe. When we Belarusians chose democracy in 2020, we went back to our European roots.
Respecting and protecting our Belarusian European choice: this must be an integral part of Western policy towards Russia. The same as protecting the European choice of Ukraine.
In Ukraine, as in Belarus, Russia pursues the same goal: colonization and subjugation. In Ukraine, Russia fights by tanks and missiles. In Belarus, it establishes control through economic dominance, military presence and russification.
I sometimes hear that Belarus is “a lost case”. But Ukraine – and actually – whole Europe – will never be safe, if Belarus remains in Russian claws. Belarusian resistance is of key importance.
Today the resistance to the Lukashenka regime went underground. But it’s not “sleeping”. People keep the spirit alive. In spite of police terror, they continue to gather illegally. According to Viasna, there were at least 375 acts of peaceful protest last year in Belarus. About 20 people are arrested every day for their political views and subversive actions.
The society as a whole hasn’t changed its opinions since 2020. Despite all the propaganda, police terror, presence of the Russian troops. Belarusians prepare for a new window of opportunity.
Unlike the majority of Russian people today, Belarusians are against the Russian war in Ukraine. Only 2% support the participation of the Belarusian army in the war. The regime failed to conduct mobilization. If Lukashenka’s regime orders troops to attack Ukraine, they will turn against him.
I always say: let’s differentiate between people and the regime. And let’s keep the two-fold approach: isolate the regime, but support the people.
On the one hand, close the loopholes in the sanctions. Freeze his assets abroad. Issue a warrant to arrest Lukashenka. He has a long record of crimes: crimes against humanity, crime of aggression, and abduction of Ukrainian children, in the end.
On the other hand, institutionalize the relationship with democratic Belarus. Support the projects that strengthen national identity. Continue issuing visas. Help those in exile who fled repressions. Recognize our passport of New Belarus – don’t leave hundreds of thousands of Belarusian people stateless.
Belarus can be a success story. But we have to give people hope. Such hope is a European perspective for Belarus as an alternative to the “Russian World”. In August, we, Belarusian democratic forces, declared that our ultimate goal for Belarus is membership in the European Union. Belarusians also want to hear from you that Europe's door is open to Belarus, and it will not be given as a consolation prize to Putin.
And finally – let’s help Ukraine to win this unjust war. Victory of Ukraine will be the ultimate defeat of Putin and Lukashenka. Many Belarusians fight for Ukrainian freedom as we speak. Many of them gave their lives in this fight. Because we understand that it’s not just their fight – it’s our common fight for freedom.
Zhyve Belarus! Slava Ukraine!”
