Kalesnikava: The last German Chancellor who spoke with Lukashenka was Merkel. Perhaps a new attempt is needed
The former ally of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya during the 2020 election campaign gave an interview to the German publication TAZ.de, in which she spoke about her five years and three months behind bars, and also shared her vision of the political situation.
Merkel and Lukashenka in Minsk in February 2015, photo Reuters.com
"Now the USA influences Lukashenka more than Europe. And I am grateful to the American administration — it contributed to my release and the release of another 500 prisoners. But I think that the EU should also reopen diplomatic channels with Lukashenka — for him, the European Union would be a more natural partner. Officially, still about 1000 people are imprisoned for political reasons. Their release must be a priority," she believes.
The correspondent noted, wouldn't this mean a certain legitimization of Lukashenka?
"No, it does not mean legitimization. But Lukashenka is de facto the only person who decides how Belarusians live in Belarus. If you want to have influence, you need to contact him. We are now meeting here, on the Spree, in Berlin. Where we are talking, the Berlin Wall once ran. I often refer to this German history, because at some point, the time for diplomacy and dialogue comes, and then history can be rewritten. The last German Chancellor who spoke with Lukashenka was Ms. Merkel. Perhaps a new attempt is needed," Kalesnikava believes.
Let us recall that Angela Merkel called Lukashenka on November 15, 2021, during the migration crisis on the Polish border, when several hundred migrants stormed the Belarusian-Polish border. The conversation lasted about 50 minutes and was dedicated to this crisis.
By the way, today Maria will perform a concert in Berlin at the Radialsystem cultural center.
"Finally, I will play the flute again — the traverse flute, bass flute, and transverse flute. I will talk about my experiences and also read excerpts from books I read during my imprisonment. I will play a piece on the transverse flute that has special meaning for me. In 2022, Belarusian composer Viktar Kapytska dedicated it to me, and for that, he faced problems in Belarus. I am endlessly sad that I could not thank him personally: he died the day after my release," Maria said.