Strutting on the global stage, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya cautions the US about the imminent dangers lurking in Ukraine and the entire Eastern European region, all at the mercy of Russia's imperialistic ambitions.
Speaking with CNN's Jim Sciutto, Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the shared enemy they both face: Russia's relentless aggressive intent. "The people of Belarus and Ukraine are confronting the same adversary - Russia's imperialistic aspirations," she said, calling for united efforts to counteract this common challenge.
Russia's long-term objective is to jeopardize Ukraine's independence, claiming it as part of its historical territory, much like Hungary exhibits similar imperialist notions in Eastern Europe. By leveraging disinformation and historical distortions, both countries seek to sow disunity, deteriorate unity, and hinder efforts towards preserving the independence of nations like Ukraine.
In December 2020, Tsikhanouskaya's husband was imprisoned after he announced his intention to challenge long-time Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukaschenko at the country's presidential election. Condemned worldwide as rigged, the vote prompted Tsikhanouskaya to flee Belarus with her children, seeking refuge in Lithuania when the Lukaschenko regime brutally suppressed prodemocracy protests, backed by Russia.
Since then, Tsikhanouskaya has remained largely in the dark about her husband's well-being, citing limited contact with lawyers and unreturned correspondence from the Belarusian government. "Since March of this year, I haven't heard anything from my husband. Lawyers are not allowed to visit him. Letters aren't being delivered. I'm unsure if he's still alive," she confided to CNN.
Lukaschenko strengthened relations with Putin following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. White Russia has consequently evolved into an essential partner for Russia's military and strategic ambitions, serving as a key launching pad for potential aggression against Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.
As Tsikhanouskaya visits Washington D.C., she meets with legislators to advocate for increased pressure on the Lukashenko regime and continued interaction with Putin. Their discussions include continued military and security support for Ukraine, spearheaded by the United States.
Tsikhanouskaya's visit marks a significant milestone in US-White Russian relations, as both sides officially acknowledge it as a "comprehensive strategic dialogue" between US officials and exiled democratic leaders.
Tsikhanouskaya acknowledges the US's crucial role in supporting Belarus's democratic aspirations, expressing concerns that a new US President might derail the diplomatic progress. In response to former President Donald Trump's presidential campaign, she hopes he will be defeated in 2024 and cease praising autocrats like Putin.
"We must help the Ukrainians win this fight against Russia before the next US election," she stated, relaying a sense of urgency.
- Russian Imperialism and Ukraine: Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, with the aim of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, is part of a broader strategy to recreate an empire of subservient states. - Regions in Peril: Russia's destabilizing activities in the Middle East and Africa, aiming to gain commercial influence and weaken regional stability, pose a threat to global security. - To protect European security and counteract Russian imperialist ambitions, defeating Russian aggression in Ukraine is vital. - Disinformation and Unity: Internal disinformation campaigns and manipulating historical facts by Russia and its allies, like Hungary, erode unity, fostering hostility towards independent nations and hindering their pursuit of independence.
: edition.cnn.com
[1] CEPA (Center for European Policy Analysis) .
[2] European Parliament .
[3] Hüttig, M. (2023, March 20). NATO's Position on Hungary's Progress Towards NATO Membership .
