Abandon Ukraine and Eastern Europe faces imminent danger, warns exiled Belarusian opposition leader
Exiled Belarusian opposition leader emphasizes the criticality of supporting Ukraine in countering Russia, highlighting the regional security risks at stake
The exiled leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition has cautioned the United States about the potential consequences of abandoning Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, stating that it would jeopardize the security of Eastern Europe as a whole.
Speaking to CNN's Chief National Security Analyst, Jim Sciutto, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that both the Belarusian and Ukrainian people are confronting the same adversary - Russia's imperialistic aspirations - and must unite in the struggle against this common threat.
"Without a free, independent, and safe Ukraine, there can be no safety for Belarus, and vice versa. A lack of freedom in Belarus poses a constant threat to all our neighbors in the region," she emphasized.
Following her husband's imprisonment for challenging Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, Tsikhanouskaya ultimately ran in his place in an election widely believed to be fraudulent.
Tsikhanouskaya and her children sought refuge in Lithuania after Lukashenko's government, supported by Russia, violently suppressed pro-democracy protests. She expressed concerns about her husband's well-being in prison, telling CNN, "I have not received any updates about my husband since March. His lawyer is not permitted to see him, and his letters are not being delivered. I am unsure if he is still alive."
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on funding for Ukraine from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Lukashenko has strengthened his relationship with Putin, making Belarus a crucial ally and strategic partner in the conflict, as Russian forces utilize Belarus as a base for their invasion of Kyiv.
This week, Tsikhanouskaya visited Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers, urging for more pressure to be placed on Lukashenko's regime and to counter Putin, which includes the ongoing provision of military and security assistance to Ukraine.
The State Department meetings mark the beginning of a "comprehensive strategic dialogue" between US officials and exiled Belarusian democratic leaders. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the United States' potential to have a "crucial role" in supporting Belarusian pro-democracy efforts but also expressed concerns about potential setbacks under a new American president.
In response to former President Donald Trump's presidential campaign and his praise of dictators like Putin, she expressed her hope for his defeat in the 2024 election. "We must support Ukrainians in their struggle against Russia until the next US elections," she stated.
