“When we defeat Putin, the de-occupation of Belarus will be one of the essential requirements and conditions. Russia must withdraw from Belarus, which is now simply an occupied country. We will do everything to make it happen”, said Ž.Pavilionis.
According to him, if this happens, conditions will be created for Belarus “to follow Ukraine’s path to Europe”.
“No one from the major Western capitals doubts the vocation of Belarusians,” said Ž.Pavilionis.
Franak Viachorka, the chief adviser of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Cichanouskaya, said that the goal of the democratic states’ efforts is to weaken Lukashenko’s regime.
“If our revolution had been defeated in 2020, maybe Putin would not have attacked Ukraine. (…) We have to find common points, we have to strengthen our national identity, because this is the strongest antidote once morest “Russkij Mir”, said F. Viačorka.
Oleksandr Mereshko, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, said that it is necessary to support not only Ukraine’s desire to preserve its independence, but also the freedom of Belarus, because it “cannot be divided.”
“If freedom is threatened in one corner of the world, if we do not stand in solidarity, if we allow our friends, brothers and sisters to be defeated, (…) then we will be next in line. This is a matter of principle”, said O. Mereško.
He noted that Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Belarus are connected not only by the historical past, but also by a common future.
“We need to fight for each other, to stand up for each other, and this is the only solution, how to win and set a good example for other countries,” said O. Mereško.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Polish Seimas, Pawel Kowal, emphasized at the press conference the need to start negotiations with Ukraine regarding its membership in the European Union and NATO.
“We cannot lose this year, we have to start these exercises, encourage them to start under the Belgian presidency,” he said.
Mr. Kowalis also invited representatives of the Belarusian opposition to the meeting of the representatives of the Lublin triangle – Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine – in Rzeszów in May.
“You are part of our family too. (…) We would meet in the format of the Lublin triangle and invite our Belarusian partners to participate as friends, as special guests,” said P. Kowalis.
The first international forum of Kalinauskas was held in Vilnius in August 2020 following the presidential elections in Belarus. It is named following Konstantinas Kalinauskas, who fought for the freedom of Belarusians and Lithuanians from Tsarist Russia.
This forum is a platform for freedom fighters and dissidents to express their views, formulate joint strategies to fight authoritarian regimes in the region and restore democracy in those states.
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2024-04-02 22:58:43