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“It was an honor for me to meet Chichanouskaya at the White House this morning,” Biden wrote on Twitter. “The United States supports the people of Belarus in their quest for democracy and the protection of universal human rights.”
A report broadcast on the Chichanouskaya channel on the Telegram platform at the time emphasized that she had left the White House convinced that “the voice of millions of Belarusians had been heard.”
“As a politician, I am happy with this meeting. President Biden said that the fight between autocracy and democracy continues in the world. And you know that Belarus is at the forefront of this fight. That is why I asked President Biden to help us to make Belarus a successful example of non-violent transition to democracy, “said the opposition leader.
“The Belarusian revolution is not about geopolitics.” This is a democratic option for Belarusians, and the United States has a moral obligation to support us, “Chichanouskaya said.
According to her, the sovereignty of Belarus cannot be the subject of negotiations.
“Any agreement signed by the illegitimate regime is illegal,” he said.
“The only solution to the crisis can be new free elections with international control. And all political prisoners must be released unconditionally.” The crisis in Belarus must be put on the international agenda, by the UN and the OSCE, and all those responsible they must be brought before international tribunals, “said the former presidential candidate.
“As the wife of the political prisoner Siarhei Cichanouski, I feel pain that he and thousands of others cannot share this moment with me. But I’m sure they will find out about this meeting. And they will know that we fight for them. As a mother of two, I hope they understand and forgive the fact that their mother has not always been with them these days, ”she added.
“No matter how much time and effort Belarus’ path to freedom requires, I am ready to accompany Belarusians. And I thank President Biden for supporting us on this path,” said Chichanouskaya.
Earlier this month, Chichanouskaya met in Washington with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, US President Jake Sullivan’s National Security Advisor, and representatives of the Belarusian diaspora in the United States.
The State Department said US officials had assured Chichanouskaya of their continued support for the “democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people.”
Belarus has been rocked by massive protests for several months after Aliaksandr Lukashenko was declared the winner of the August 2020 presidential election. The opposition and the West see that vote as rigged.
Political novice S. Cichanouskaya, who has chosen to vote in place of her imprisoned husband, claims to have won that vote. After the elections, he decided to leave the country and currently lives in Lithuania.
The Belarusian authorities responded to the opposition demonstrations with extremely harsh measures: the militia arrested more than 35,000. people, thousands of protesters complained of having been victims of violence by officials of the power structures.
Key opposition figures have been imprisoned or forced to flee the country, independent media outlets have been searched and their journalists arrested.
Western democracies, in turn, imposed sanctions on Minsk. The European Union has stepped up sanctions against Belarus in May for the landing of a Ryanair liner and the arrest of opposition blogger Raman Pratasevich.
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