The visit by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, comes amid Russia’s continued war against Ukraine, an increased Russian nuclear threat to Europe exacerbated by the Minsk regime’s hosting of tactical nuclear weapons under Moscow’s command, and the recent arrival of mercenary Wagner Group fighters on Belarusian territory. Arrival and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President; extracts from the formal sitting

Strasbourg

meeting

EU - Belarus (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

formal sitting

TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Sviatlana (BY)

Formal Sitting with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition: arrival and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President; extracts from the formal sitting

Arrival of Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition and official welcome by Othmar KARAS (AT, EPP), EP Vice-President, 10 shots

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Roberta METSOLA, EP President Belaussians have always been a part of Europe and will always be. Let me assure you, you have never been forgotten. We will always stand with you and help you return home.

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition Unlike the war in Ukraine, ours is a quiet war. The goal of the Kremlin in this war is the same as in Ukraine to turn a sovereign country. Belarus, into yet another sterile Russian colony. And Putin is not doing this alone. He is doing it in cooperation with Lukashenka, who is selling our country and selling our independency. Piece by piece.

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition My seven year old daughter recently asked me to give her some money. I asked her what for? And can you imagine what she replied. I want to buy a tank to free my daddy. And for me, she's my little hero. Her father, my husband Sergei, was sentenced to 19 years, and I haven't had a word from him for six months already. And he is my big hero. The biggest in my life.

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition I came to the European Parliament to ask you to support the European perspective for Belarus. Belarus, Belarusians want to hear from you that the EU is waiting for us.

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition This document will confirm Belarusian citizenship and will serve as travel documents for exiled Belarusians. Actually, here we are taking lessons from the Baltic States who were issuing the passports in exile during the Soviet occupation. And very soon we will come to your governments asking to recognise our new passports.

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Help us to bring Lukashenko to account. Murder in openings by death squads. The torture of peaceful protesters. The abduction of Ukrainian kids launching a quiet war against Belarusians and collaboration in the war against Ukraine. He has a long record of crimes. He does not deserve any place at international fora. The only thing he deserves a one way ticket to The Hague.

SOUNDBITE (in EN), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition The great European Vaslav, however, once said, I believe that the future of Belarus is closely connected with the future of Europe, and the future of Europe is connected with the future of democratic and independent Belarus. And I do believe that one day we will welcome Belarus into the European Union. So let's make this come true. Ziegler Was Slovo Ukrainian? Long live Europe.