A ceasefire in Ukraine could create a new impetus for change in Belarus, while escalation could once again turn the country into a platform for Russian aggression. This was stated by the head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, at a meeting of the EU Consultative Group with the participation of Belarusian democratic forces. At the same time, she said, the key factor remains the position of the Belarusian people.
The event took place on March 6 in Brussels. Representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council and civil society took part.
Opening the meeting, Tsikhanouskaya thanked the European Commission and partners for their support and noted that over the past year the EU, together with Belarusian partners, had launched new mechanisms to assist repressed Belarusians, supported released political prisoners and increased support for independent media and civil society.
During a panel discussion on the political situation in Belarus, the leader of the democratic forces said that developments in the country largely depend on the geopolitical situation and the course of the war in Ukraine, but the key factor remains the position of the Belarusian people.
“If a ceasefire is reached, this could create a new impetus for Belarus as well. But if escalation occurs, Belarus may once again become a springboard for Russian aggression,” she said.
“The question is what Belarus will be like after Lukashenka — and what we can do to put the country on a democratic and European path when that moment comes. Much of what we are doing now is preparation: creating infrastructure, ensuring legitimate representation and building instruments and channels that can play a key role at the moment of change,” the politician added.
The goal of the Consultative Group is to coordinate support for Belarusian democratic forces and civil society and to discuss the future of a democratic Belarus.
