Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a press conference after the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, opening it with a brief statement:
“I want to thank Denmark and the European Political Community for inviting us. While dictators like Putin and Lukashenka are not here, the voice of the Belarusian people is.
Belarusians deserve a European future. Belarus belongs to Europe — and one day, we will be a full member of the EPC and of the European Union.
Our goal is clear: to prevent Russia from ever again using Belarus as a launchpad — against Ukraine or against Europe. That means dismantling Lukashenka’s authoritarian regime, which has become a threat to the whole continent. We are working to hold perpetrators accountable, including through the International Criminal Court.
Together with President Trump and his team, we have already secured the release of dozens of political prisoners. But 1,300 remain behind bars. We welcome U.S. efforts, but Europe must also keep up the pressure until every prisoner is free and repression ends. At the same time, Europe must support Belarusians — by issuing visas, supporting civil society, and helping those who are now de facto stateless.
Europe must act boldly. Half-measures embolden dictators. We must weaken Russia, strengthen Ukraine, and open the window for change in Belarus. And I believe that change in Belarus can spark change in Russia too.
Thank you”.
