On the first day of her visit to Austria, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the event “Role of Belarus in the European Security: From Involvement in the War and Hybrid Warfare to the Democratic Solutions”. More than 50 participants joined the discussion dedicated to strengthening security in the region.
In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the common misconception about a “historic choice” Belarus made in favor of Russia: “Many perceive Lukashenka’s alliance with Putin as the result of a historic choice made by Belarusians. But this is an illusion. It is rather Lukashenka’s personal choice: to trade his loyalty to Russia for the chance to cling to power”.
She commented on the upcoming military exercises in Belarus and the overall threat to Europe: “Next week, Putin and Lukashenka will launch the Zapad-2025 military exercises in Belarus, which include the simulation of a nuclear strike. Dictators survive by feeding on war. Lukashenka uses it as a tool to legitimize repression. He is forcing society to accept the idea of a great war against the West”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also presented the Red Paper: “The Red Paper addresses key security issues: military threats, migration, information warfare, and socio-demographic challenges. Belarus today is part of the crisis – but it can also be part of the solution. The Red Paper shows how a democratic Belarus can contribute to Europe’s stability”.
The event is organized by Dialogbüro Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the People’s Embassy in Austria, Kaściuška Security Studies Institute
