Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a video call with Belarusian civil and political figures who were recently freed from detention, his office said Monday, while the Ukrainian leader was on an official visit to Berlin.
Among those who took part in the call were opposition figures Maria Kolesnikova, Viktar Babaryka and Maksim Znak, as well as Alyaksandr Feduta, Uladzimir Labkovich and journalist Marina Zolotova. The former detainees thanked Zelensky and the Ukrainian team for their role in securing their release.
Belarus has freed a total of 123 detainees under a deal with the United States that involved Washington lifting US economic sanctions on Minsk, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday.
Of those released, 114 civilians were transferred to Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
The handover followed negotiations with the Belarusian authorities and was carried out at Ukraine’s request with the mediation of US partners. Five of those freed were Ukrainian citizens who had been held in Belarus.
Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya published a video of the call on social media and thanked Ukraine for its role in the release.
“In the darkest times, Ukraine shows what true leadership means,” Tsikhanouskaya wrote on X. “Heartfelt thanks to President Volodymyr Zelensky and to the brave people of Ukraine for welcoming released political prisoners from Belarus with such warmth and care. This is freedom defended through humanity and strength.”
During the video call, the released Belarusians voiced support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion and said they were ready to help Ukraine internationally.
“Ukraine will continue to support everyone who helps us defend our independence and protect people’s lives,” Zelensky said.
He also urged the former detainees to spread messages of support for Ukraine abroad and to send clear signals to Belarusian society, noting that Russian forces launched part of their invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
“We have given so much for Ukraine’s freedom that this war cannot end with the loss of precisely that,” Zelensky said. “Otherwise, it would mean that so many people lost their lives in vain. That would be unjust to them and to their memory.”