Tsikhanouskaya: Contacts with the regime can be useful, but EU sanctions must be maintained
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya allows for the lifting of certain sanctions for the release of political prisoners, but at the same time, she calls for maintaining the policy of non-recognition of Lukashenka and European sanctions. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the possibilities and limits of contacts with the regime in an interview with PolskieRadio24.
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Individual sanctions can be lifted for the release of people
Tsikhanouskaya was asked about the "two-sided" nature of the West's actions towards Belarus: American envoys arrive in Minsk, US sanctions are lifted, and on the other hand, European Union sanctions remain in force.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked the USA for its diplomatic efforts, thanks to which political prisoners are being released, and expressed hope that this process will continue. However, according to her, Lukashenka views releases as a deal, and people as "goods" and a subject of trade.
“We, of course, understand that Alexander Lukashenka perceives the release of political prisoners as a form of trade. He treats people as goods and bargaining chips. However, we urge our American partners not to turn this humanitarian trend into a political one. The policy of non-recognition and isolation must continue. I understand that in exchange for the release of political prisoners, some sanctions may have to be lifted, but this should not become the norm,” she said.
Tsikhanouskaya explained her caution with the risk of new arrests:
“By such actions, we should not encourage the regime to take new hostages and turn this practice into endless human trafficking.”
American and European sanctions have different objectives
According to Tsikhanouskaya, American sanctions can be a tool for negotiating the release of people. She proposes maintaining European ones for deeper changes.
“We have developed a formula according to which American sanctions can be used to seek releases, however, significantly stronger and more effective European sanctions must be maintained for deeper changes – the introduction of systemic changes in Belarus. Especially since, while some people are being released, many more people are being arrested,” she stated.
Another reason to maintain sanctions, according to Tsikhanouskaya, is Lukashenka's support for the Russian war and the use of Belarusian territory for hybrid attacks on the EU.
She warned against returning to "normal relations" with Lukashenka:
“So how can we even talk about lifting sanctions when all these threats remain? If there is a temptation to return to "normal relations," one should think about the consequences. Lukashenka will deceive you. He will only take, giving nothing in return. Therefore, we urge Europe to maintain its firm, strict, and principled approach to Lukashenka: a policy of non-recognition, isolation, and sanctions,” she explains.
Separately, Tsikhanouskaya was asked about the meeting between the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Maksim Ryzhenkov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“I do not consider the meeting of Minister Radoslaw Sikorski with a representative of the illegal regime as a step towards its recognition or anything similar,” she replied.
“I understand that such communication can be useful from the perspective of national security, especially since the number of migrants on the border with Poland has decreased. Andrzej Poczobut was released – he went to Belarus and returned safely. However, this does not mean that Lukashenka has changed his approach. Poland, of course, acts in its national interests, but we must also take into account the threats to the entire European Union, as attacks involving migrants continue on the borders with Lithuania and Latvia. In such situations, solidarity and support between neighboring countries are of great importance,” she added.
In her opinion, the Polish minister gave the regime a certain credit of trust to check whether the meeting would lead to concrete results.
“Let’s see what the direction of action or response from the regime will be. Will they release more people? Will they stop provocations at the borders?” Tsikhanouskaya said.
Tsikhanouskaya noted that European countries have the ability to contact Minsk.
“Of course, there are communication channels between European countries and Lukashenka's illegal regime.
Therefore, if the regime expects something, it has the opportunity to communicate its intentions. The regime knows perfectly well what it must do for sanctions to be lifted: release people, stop repression, and withdraw Belarus from the war. That’s all,” she said.
The issue of more active European involvement in the release of political prisoners was raised by 73 former prisoners in an open letter to European leaders. They called for using “diplomatic channels, negotiation formats, pressure and incentives, public and closed work,” as well as seeking an end to repression.