Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called at the OSCE to provide Ukraine with everything necessary for victory, stating that genuine peace in Europe requires weakening Vladimir Putin and Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Tsikhanouskaya spoke today at a joint plenary session of the three main committees of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. She urged support for Ukraine and called for sustained attention to Belarus, including continued pressure on Lukashenka.
“Today Ukraine is fighting for all of us — for Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and all of Europe. Ukraine is fighting for peace, democracy and human rights — the very values that the OSCE holds dear.
It is crucial to give Ukraine everything it needs to win and to stop Russian aggression. If we want real peace in Europe, we must weaken Putin and his ally Lukashenka.
The outcome of this war will also affect the future of Belarus. It can open a window of opportunity for us. And there are two scenarios: Belarus either remains in Russia’s orbit, with nuclear weapons, troops and ‘Oreshnik’ systems — which would mean a constant threat to our neighbours. Or it finally breaks free, restores its independence, freedom and the rule of law, and fulfils its commitments to the OSCE.
We must not allow Belarus to become a consolation prize for Putin. Belarus is not Russia. We stand with Ukraine. We are a proud European nation with our own culture and identity,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
