During her visit to Strasbourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, speaking before ambassadors and diplomats from 46 countries.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted key regional security concerns and the growing threat of Russian control over Belarus. She stressed that the country has effectively become a military outpost for Russia, with the regime supporting weapons production and preparing for new joint military exercises.
“Recently, Lukashenka and Putin signed a new so-called ‘security guarantees’ agreement, further cementing Russia’s grip on Belarus. Soon, they intend to hold the ‘Zapad 2025’ military exercises – similar to those conducted in 2022, just before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
I do not believe that Belarusian troops will join the war as there is a strong anti-war consensus in our society. But we cannot rule out that Belarus will once again be used for aggression. It has become not just a launchpad but a military workshop for the Russian war machine – 287 state enterprises are producing weapons for Russia.
Today, as discussions about possible peace talks take place, our greatest fear is that Belarus could become a ‘consolation prize’ for Putin. We must not allow this to happen.
We must demand the withdrawal of Russian troops, including nuclear weapons, from both Ukraine and Belarus. Only this can guarantee lasting and stable peace in the region. Ukraine deserves real security guarantees, and one of them must be a free Belarus – without Russian presence”.
