Deported to Ukraine, Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava spoke by video link with Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. They called on the EU and Lithuania to “join US efforts and not miss the window of opportunity that has opened,” according to a statement from Babaryka’s team.
The conversation was confirmed by the Lithuanian politician. Maksim Znak also took part in the call.
“Had the opportunity to speak with Maria Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, and Maksim Znak – political prisoners released from a Belarusian jail where they should never have been,” Ruginienė wrote on her blog on X.
Babaryka and Kalesnikava thanked the prime minister for her support and noted that they “will definitely come for a visit as soon as such an opportunity arises,” Babaryka’s team reported.
The former political prisoners urged the EU and Lithuania to support US diplomatic efforts. The statement does not specify what exactly is meant.
“They stressed that it is important to give a chance to US diplomatic efforts, including on the issue of freeing political prisoners and reducing tensions between our countries in order to avoid new security risks. According to them, it is extremely important that the European Union and Lithuania join US efforts and do not miss the window of opportunity that has opened,” the statement said.
Babaryka and Kalesnikava also expressed support for Ukraine.
“At present, Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava are in Ukraine and see what is happening there. They noted that it is very important that Lithuania and the European Union do not turn away from Ukraine at this critical moment,” the statement added.
They also “consider it necessary to preserve ties between Belarusians and Lithuanians as much as possible, expand opportunities for their mobility, and facilitate the crossing of borders between our countries.”
