The leader of the democratic forces of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, will address MEPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee. She outline her views to the Foreign Affairs Committee on the war in Ukraine and the role of Belarus in the conflict, as well as comment on the latest political situation in Belarus, which is still ruled by an oppressive regime under dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

Exchange of views with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020: extracts - EP AFET Committee in association with the Delegation for relations with Belarus

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair AFET, <p>Together with Ales Bialitski, Maria Kalesnikava and Mikalai Statkevich, he is one of the last four Belarusian Sakharov Prize laureates who are currently still behind bars. The European Parliament has consistently called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus. </p>  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020, Dear friends, thank you for mentioning our hero and my personal hero and Ales BIALITSKY. I think that he and his human rights activities deserve a round of applause.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 More than ,0000 people have been detained in Belarus, many tortured by KGB. Many have died. Hundreds of thousands had to flee. First they escaped to Ukraine. Then they fled the war there. Over the last two years, a great national tragedy was unfolded before our eyes. The unresolved political crisis in Belarus has escalated and in fact, the entire region, it has helped to a devastating war in Ukraine,

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 The very existence of Belarus is at stake. Lukashenko, with the support of Putin, continues to sell our souverainity to wipe out our national identity, tresh civil society and destroy any connexion between Belarus and Europe.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 Lukashenko has shamed us all by allowing Belarus to be the launch pad for Russian missiles, which have killed thousands of innocent people in Ukraine. Now he wants to turn Belarus into a huge military base in order to terrorise Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and entire European Union and NATO. And they are already talking about the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 Our position is clear. First, Belarus must end any participation in Russia's brutal war. Second, every Russian soldier must leave Belarus unconditionally. and thought all those involved in Russian attack on Ukraine from Belarus must be held accountable.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 Lukashenko might act like the Kremlin's puppet, but he doesn't represent the people. Belarus is not Russia. I, I ask you today to reject Lukashenko as fraudulent and deadly regime and work with us to build a democratic and free Belarus. Recognise the United Transitional Cabinet as the true representative of the people.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 Help us to show that Belarus is welcomed in Europe. Help us to draft a new democratic constitution and prepare new reforms and initiatives. 

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 I believe that a free Belarus will be the strongest possible sanctions against Putin's terror and the best support for free ukraine will be a ,000 kilometre protective border with a liberated Belarus, no longer with a Russian colony. I'm sure that the path to peace in Europe is through freedom in Belarus. I'm sure that the path to peace in Europe is through victory in Ukraine. I know it's difficult and painful, painful path, but it is the right path. So let us walk together when we walk together. We are Europe. 

SOUNBITE in EN, Petras AUSTREVICIUS, Rapporteur Belarus,  I call on the European Union, indeed, to provide needed financial assistance, as well as political decision to be made in order to see democratic opposition of Belarus, representatives in Brussels, other capitals of the European Union as legitimate representatives of Belarus.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 If Lukashenko decides to send Belarusian troops to Ukraine or if if they force Belarusian army to join the Russian army, I think it will be political suicide for Lukashenko. Our soldiers will not fight with the Ukrainians. They will defect.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Svitalana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020 We have a long list what can be done. But help us to bring regime to accountability. And as I said, keep the door always open for Belarusian people.

Exchange of views with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, leader of democratic forces of Belarus and Sakharov Prize laureate 2020: extracts - EP AFET Committee in association with the Delegation for relations with Belarus

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