On November 26, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Johann Wadephul, received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Berlin. They discussed key issues of international politics and the situation in Belarus:
- Peace negotiations on Ukraine. Minister Wadephul and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed various possible developments. The Belarusian leader emphasized that the outcome of these talks will also determine the fate of Belarus. “Belarusians need peace to be concluded on Ukraine’s terms, and any agreements must ensure that Belarus regains its sovereignty and does not remain under Russian control. The withdrawal of Russian troops and nuclear weapons from Belarusian territory is essential”. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called on the EU, including Germany, to be a strong voice for Belarus’s independence.
- The humanitarian track of the talks between the United States and the regime, and progress on the release of political prisoners. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the democratic forces of Belarus are in contact with the new US Special Envoy, John Coale. Human rights organizations and democratic structures have prepared the necessary infrastructure to receive released political prisoners. She added that many of those released are in difficult conditions and will need support, including rehabilitation assistance.
- Accountability of the regime. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya urged continued pressure on the regime until repression fully stops and all political prisoners are released, noting the worsening situation in Belarus and the incommunicado detention of some political prisoners.
- Hybrid attacks by the regime against Poland and Lithuania and the need for decisive response, including sanctions. Recent incidents show that the regime remains a threat to regional security.
- Visa issuance. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Germany to continue issuing visas, including multiple-entry ones, and expressed gratitude for continued support. She noted that the mobility of Belarusians is crucial for maintaining connections between Belarusians and the European Union.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also called for continued support for independent media, civil society, and cultural initiatives, including the Belarusian Historical Research Forum, through German foundations and programs.
She thanked Minister Wadephul for his firm political stance, support for Ukraine and democratic Belarus, cooperation between the German Foreign Ministry and the democratic forces, support for independent journalists, human rights initiatives (including Libereco), the Belarusian editorial team of Deutsche Welle, and the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB).
