Фото: ОПК
Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the opening of the New Belarus Conference, which is being held in Warsaw on Aug. 8-9.
Tsikhanouskaya noted that 2020 changed Belarusian society and set in motion processes that cannot be reversed.
“We became different. Yes, we did not win then. But it cannot be said that we lost. 2020 set in motion processes that cannot be reversed. And for the regime, it became such a trauma that it still cannot recover from it today,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
The head of the United Transitional Cabinet is confident that Belarusians will show themselves again if an opportunity arises.
“We Belarusians have a superpower — surviving under the most unfavorable conditions. That is the Belarusian partisan spirit. If necessary, we know how to lie low. And when the moment comes, we know how to show ourselves in a way that surprises the whole world. And I am sure that if a new opportunity arises, we will show ourselves again,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
She noted that over the past year, new dynamics had emerged around Belarus: several prominent political prisoners were released, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a delegation of Belarusian democratic forces in Kyiv, and an investigation into the regime’s crimes began in The Hague.
“None of this happened by itself. All of this is the result of the work we have done together. The work of human rights defenders, journalists, politicians, activists, volunteers and, of course, our friends abroad. And I am sure we can do even more,” the politician said.
Tsikhanouskaya believes that change in Belarus is a matter of time.
“We can influence the creation of a new window of opportunity — and be ready to use it. Because change in Belarus is a matter of time. No matter how much they Photoshop Lukashenka in BelTA, his time is inevitably running out. Whether it will be natural causes, a split within the system, or something none of us can foresee today — we do not know,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
Tsikhanouskaya urged Belarusians inside the country not to lose faith, maintain connections and help one another, while calling on Belarusians abroad to remain active.
“Sometimes I talk to politicians — even here in Poland — about legalization, documents and support for Belarusians. And I often hear that Belarusians abroad are simply not visible. So let’s make sure that we are seen,” the head of the United Transitional Cabinet said.
“I really want us to take the most important thing with us from 2020 into 2026. That incredible feeling of unity. It made us strong. Support one another. Especially those who have just been released from prison. Those who have found themselves in exile. Those who are starting their lives from scratch,” Tsikhanouskaya said.