Today, February 20, during her visit to Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at the joint plenary session of the three main OSCE committees.
She emphasized support for Ukraine and the urgent need to stop Russian aggression. She also called on the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and participating states to maintain attention on Belarus, keep pressure on the regime, and prepare for the moment when a window of opportunity for change opens in the country:
“Ukraine is fighting for all of us – for Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and all of Europe. Ukraine is fighting for peace, democracy, and human rights – the very values that the OSCE cherishes.
It is essential to give Ukraine everything it needs to win and to stop Russian aggression. If we want genuine peace in Europe, we must weaken Putin and his ally Lukashenka. The outcome of this war will also affect the future of Belarus. It could open a window of opportunity for us. And there are two scenarios: Belarus either remains in Russia’s orbit, with nuclear weapons, troops, and Oreshniks – which means a constant threat to our neighbors – or it finally becomes free, restores its independence, freedom, and rule of law – and fulfills its obligations to the OSCE.
We must not allow Belarus to become a consolation prize for Putin. Belarus is not Russia. We stand with Ukraine. We are a proud European nation with our own culture and identity”.
