“What could we expect from Lukashenka? That he wouldn't mock us?” Tsikhanouskaya on the release of political prisoners and their expulsion to Ukraine

Photo: Belsat

“I am very happy that people have the opportunity to call their relatives. And photos are being taken. And we are very glad to see all of them alive and healthy, as healthy as one can be in prison,” noted Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

However, she emphasized that the initial agreements were violated by official Minsk:

“Well, and now, of course, it's clear that this was not planned, and it was also not planned by our American partners. We see that Lukashenka changed everything at the last moment to show that he controls everything. And here in Lithuania, they were waiting, and all our infrastructure was prepared.

But, of course, this is another blow. We will overcome everything together. Of course, now everyone understands that the logistics need to be redone. We are in contact with the Polish side, and with the Ukrainians, and with the Americans, of course, who are coordinating all this.”

The leader of the democratic forces expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the release:

“It is very important for us to thank President Trump personally and Special Representative John Cole and Chris Smith for their efforts. We understand how difficult it is to communicate with the regime. The regime wants everything, giving little in return.

Of course, every person is our value. And we are so glad to see Masha [Kalesnikava], and Viktar Dzmitryevich [Babaryka], and Maksim [Znak] free. These are, of course, unforgettable feelings. We always remember the rest. And this, of course, is not the end of the negotiation process.”

About Pachobut and the lists of the released

Tsikhanouskaya also commented on the absence of Andrzej Pachobut from the lists:

“Unfortunately, Andrzej Pachobut is not on the list. We also waited for him very much. I think the Polish side is also disappointed with this turn of events. But we know how Lukashenka works. He leaves people to put pressure on our neighbors and partners.”

Tsikhanouskaya expressed hope that more will soon be known about the condition of the released individuals who are in Ukraine:

“I hope that tomorrow we will know more about the fate of our other political prisoners. We know that they will now be in a sanatorium in Ukraine. We are very grateful, I must emphasize, to our Ukrainian friends, for mobilizing very quickly and being able to host our relatives, our loved ones on the territory of Ukraine.

Tomorrow we will decide on logistics in communication with Polish partners and Lithuanians, what to do next, who wants to go to which country, or if this is possible at all.”

Why Ukraine

Regarding the fact that almost all released political prisoners were sent to Ukraine, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted:

“What could we expect from Lukashenka? That he wouldn't mock us, that he would show some humanism? He works the way he works. We know what kind of person he is. And we must thank, first of all, our American partners and the pressure regime on Lukashenka for releasing these people...

And I am convinced that he [Lukashenka] released them only because there was pressure all these years. And when people say: ‘Oh, sanctions don't work.’ Yes, they do work! It hurts him! And so now is not the time to reduce this pressure.

Of course, diplomatic negotiations are needed, we have always advocated for this, always called on even European countries that have embassies in Minsk to set conditions: release political prisoners, and then it will be possible to talk more or less.”

Regarding the conditions of detention in Ukraine, she noted:

“I don't know what conditions the Ukrainians set, because it's their territory. There is a war going on there. Let's not forget about that. Maybe they were forbidden to say where the people would be accommodated.”

What's next?

After a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya briefly spoke with journalists again, admitting that she had only managed to speak personally with Ales Bialiatski.

“I cannot reveal the essence of our conversations [with American partners]. I know that the negotiations were quite difficult, but I am confident that in the future the next round will take place,” she noted.

Tsikhanouskaya also appealed to Belarusians for help:

“First of all, if possible, donate to support political prisoners, because you know that many organizations are now collecting donations. Because, in fact, it is very difficult to host more than a hundred people at once.

All infrastructure is ready, but people will also need rehabilitation. We, as politicians, are doing everything possible to ensure that the foreign Fund for the Support of Political Prisoners only grows. And in every negotiation, we emphasize that now is the time to invest in this fund.”

Answering a question about a possible next wave of releases, Tsikhanouskaya was cautious in her forecasts:

“It's hard to say here. Of course, some time will pass before negotiations move to the next level, because now the lifting of potash sanctions has been announced. We will see how that works. And then John Cole and other representatives will negotiate further.”

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