Фото: t.me/CabinetBelarus
The head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said during hearings at the Coordinating Council that dividing the democratic community into supporters of sanctions and supporters of negotiations is unacceptable, stressing that these approaches are interconnected.
According to her, opposing a sanctions strategy to a negotiation strategy is a mistake.
“As if there is a strategy ‘for sanctions’ and a strategy ‘for negotiations’. In essence, we are saying the same thing, just in slightly different language. Negotiations will not be effective without sanctions, and sanctions will not work without negotiations. And if someone thinks that Lukashenka, if we lift sanctions, will suddenly become humane and release everyone or start some reforms, then believe me, this is a major illusion that will only freeze the situation. And any step must be accompanied by strict conditions,” the politician said.
Tsikhanouskaya stressed that the shared goal of the democratic forces remains the start of a dialogue, but that it should not be a dialogue between Alyaksandr Lukashenka and the West, but a dialogue with the Belarusian people.
“As they say, nothing about us without us. Only such a dialogue will bear fruit, and we are always ready for such a dialogue,” she said.
According to her, a “roadmap” has been developed jointly with international partners that can not only free people but also “lead to systemic change.”
“The United States and the European Union have different tasks here. The United States has sufficient power and instruments to free people and stop repression. Especially since Lukashenka needs these contacts more than the Americans need Lukashenka. Europe, when it comes to sanctions, has stronger cards. And there is no need to pressure Europe to lift these sanctions now. Europe will be needed at the next stage. Nor should Europe adopt the tactics of President Donald Trump, especially with regard to contacts with Alyaksandr Lukashenka, because the effect could be the opposite,” the leader of the democratic forces noted.
The head of the United Transitional Cabinet also said that the release of political prisoners will continue.
“And we are ready for this,” she assured.