Tikhanovskaya opposed political dialogue with Lukashenko
The leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, has called not to enter into trade agreements with the Belarusian government, amid reports that the US is preparing a major deal to purchase potash fertilizers from Minsk. She emphasized that efforts aimed at releasing political prisoners must not turn into political concessions to Alexander Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouskaya opposed political dialogue with Lukashenko
Tsikhanouskaya gave an interview to DW on September 22 in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
"My message is this: now is not the time to trade with dictators," she said.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked the US President's special envoy, John Cole, for his efforts to release another 25 political prisoners from Belarusian prisons. However, she said this process should not lead to the recognition of Lukashenko as the president of Belarus.
"It is important not to allow the humanitarian direction to take on a political character, and not to allow Lukashenko to be recognized as the president of Belarus. Because the people do not support him. Now is not the time to start a dialogue with Lukashenko, because he is isolated in the international arena. He is not only suppressing his own people, but also helping Russia in the war against Ukraine," Tsikhanouskaya said.
The Belarusian opposition leader expressed hope that the Donald Trump administration would be able to achieve the release of all political prisoners "without making excessive concessions" to Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that the situation in Belarus is connected to the security of the entire region. She called on democratic states not to lose sight of the fate of Belarus while supporting Ukraine.
"While giving Ukraine everything it needs to win the war, Belarus must not be lost sight of either. Take the Belarus factor into account when resolving the Ukrainian crisis. We cannot allow our country to lose its independence. Lukashenko is selling our sovereignty to Russia, and we must save Belarus," she said.
According to DW, on September 21, US President Donald Trump announced that a major deal was being prepared to purchase potash fertilizers from Belarus.
"The price will be much lower than what we are currently paying to Canada," Trump said. He called the upcoming agreement "great news" for American farmers and ranchers.