In an interview with Tagesspiegel, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared her perspective on why Belarus failed to reconnect with Europe after the Soviet Union’s collapse and why Belarusians need to address past mistakes while maintaining the momentum for change.
Why didn’t Belarus become a European country after the USSR’s collapse?
“Belarus had the chance to become a democratic and free country. We had the resources and opportunities but elected the wrong person. In the post-Soviet period, people faced economic hardship and handed power to a man who immediately dissolved parliament. Lukashenka established a presidential republic and turned it into a dictatorship – something many people didn’t realize at the time. We could have been part of the European Union. What we need to do now is reclaim our country”.
Should past mistakes be addressed?
“While we need to talk about past mistakes, the primary responsibility for what happened to the country lies with the regime. Lukashenka was a staunch populist, promising to make Belarus a wonderful country and fight corruption. But at the same time, he tied our country to Russia. Back then, few understood that Lukashenka was entirely pro-Soviet and had no interest in Belarus progressing forward”.
On open resistance within Belarus:
“I don’t call on anyone inside the country to openly resist the regime because it would mean sacrificing themselves in vain and only increasing the number of political prisoners. But we must keep that energy, that fire alive until the moment change becomes possible. No one should wait for someone else to take action for us”.
On hope and change:
“I don’t have the right to lose hope but hope alone won’t bring change – we need willpower and daily effort. My children are growing up without their father; he’s in prison, as are hundreds of other fathers and mothers. People are dying in prisons. Political prisoners are being tortured. But we must not lose hope. Changes often happen when no one expects them. We must be ready for these changes”.
