Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the foreign ministers of the EU member states in Brussels at the invitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also joined the meeting. The discussion focused on the non-recognition of Lukashenka and his sham election, peaceful negotiations on Ukraine, visa and legalization of stay issues, as well as support for Belarus’ civil society and democratic forces.
Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos issued a statement on behalf of the EU, rejecting the “election” and Lukashenka’s legitimacy. Individual statements were also made by over 15 EU countries, and a joint statement was released by the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8).
In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for:
📌 Ensuring that any peace negotiations on Ukraine include the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus and non-interference by Russia in Belarusian affairs, to prevent Belarus from becoming a “consolation prize” for Russia. Lukashenka represents Russian, not Belarusian, interests.
📌 Mobilizing all political and diplomatic efforts to secure the release of political prisoners. Strengthening pressure and sanctions to halt repression.
📌 Expanding and tightening sanctions against organizations providing military support to Russia or financing repression.
📌 Introducing a sanctions package targeting perpetrators of human rights violations, including judges, propagandists, security officials, and bureaucrats responsible for repression and organizing the “election”.
📌 Increasing support for independent media, human rights defenders, civil society, victims of repression, their families, and cultural initiatives.
📌 Supporting the International Humanitarian Fund and the International Accountability Platform for Belarus.
📌 Providing travel documents for Belarusians who cannot extend the validity of their passports. Simplifying visa and residency procedures for Belarusians and considering recognition of the New Belarusian Passport.
📌 Supporting Lithuania’s referral of the Lukashenka regime’s crimes to the International Criminal Court.
📌 Demonstrating to Belarusians that Europe offers an alternative to the “Russian world” by including democratic Belarus in Eastern Partnership programs.
During the meeting, the foreign ministers expressed their support for the Belarusian people and democratic forces, emphasized the need for a principled stance on Belarus, and highlighted the importance of distinguishing Belarus from Russia.
Foreign ministers in attendance included:
🇱🇹 Lithuania – Kęstutis Budrys;
🇵🇱 Poland – Radosław Sikorski;
🇸🇪 Sweden – Maria Malmer Stenergard;
🇳🇱 Netherlands – Caspar Veldkamp;
🇱🇻 Latvia – Baiba Braže;
🇮🇪 Ireland – Simon Harris;
🇧🇪 Belgium – Bernard Quintin;
🇪🇪 Estonia – Margus Tsahkna.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We are deeply grateful to Kaja Kallas, the European External Action Service, the European Commission, and all ministers for their consistent policies vis-a-vis Belarus and support for the Belarusian people. I am confident that Belarus can and will become a success story, a reliable ally, partner, and neighbor for the EU”.
