Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian opposition in exile, expressed gratitude to President Volodymyr Zelensky on social media for facilitating the recent release of 114 civilians.
Those released from Belarus via Ukraine include prominent opposition figures detained in Belarus following the country’s 2020 elections and subsequent crackdowns.
“In the darkest times, Ukraine shows what true leadership means. Heartfelt thanks to President Zelenskyy and to the brave people of 🇺🇦 for welcoming released political prisoners from Belarus with such warmth and care. This is freedom defended through humanity and strength,” she wrote.
Tsikhanouskaya also released the full video of a call between Zelensky and the released Belarusians.
Over the weekend, Belarus transferred 114 civilians to Ukraine. Most of those released are Ukrainians who were previously detained in Belarus on charges of working for Ukrainian special services.
But among those released were leading Belarusian public and political figures, including Viktor Babariko, Maria Aleksandrova, and Marina Zolotova.
During the meeting, the released political prisoners thanked Zelensky for their release and warm welcome. In turn, Zelensky promised to help the released prisoners resolve some practical issues, such as documents.
Viktor Babariko, a presidential candidate imprisoned by Minsk in 2020, expressed his gratitude and asked how the Belarusian opposition could support Ukraine and Ukrainians in efforts to bring peace closer to the country.
In response, Zelensky noted that while the situations in Belarus and Ukraine differ, developments in Belarus could still influence the course of events, pointing out that Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
“We are facing full-scale aggression, not the slow aggression that Russia spread to Belarus, a kind of political and diplomatic erosion of your freedom… The war cannot end with the loss of freedom for Ukraine. Many people have given up more, even more than their freedom,” he said.
“Surely, your messages will be important. And your signals to the Belarusian people are also very important. Because when the war started, rockets were flying from Belarus… I think your appeals to the people of Belarus are important. So that you don’t lose contact with them,” Zelensky added.