Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: "We are open to dialogue with the Russian authorities"

Audio 06:02

The Belarusian opposition leader, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, met Emmanuel Macron on September 29, 2020. Ludovic MARIN / AFP

Text by: Denis Strelkov

11 min

Visiting Lithuania, President Macron met Belarusian opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaia, exiled in Vilnius.

On Monday, upon his arrival, the French president indicated that France did not recognize the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko and pleaded for OSCE mediation.

RFI met Svetlana Tikhanovskaia at the end of this interview.

Publicity

Read more

Were there any breakthroughs during your meeting with Emmanuel Macron

We have just had an interesting and cordial meeting.

I have found that Emmanuel Macron is very knowledgeable about the situation in Belarus - down to the smallest details.

We are very grateful to France for its support.

France supports the implementation of sanctions against those responsible for the post-election violence.

Emmanuel Macron is convinced that the free and fair elections, which we are calling for, must be held in Belarus as soon as possible.

Because, according to his words, there are too many people who are suffering.

I saw that he was really concerned about the fate of our political prisoners and the victims of torture.

His very sincere feelings towards Belarus are very visible.

Have you discussed how to put pressure on the Belarusian authorities and concrete measures?

We told him that we need mediation to establish dialogue in order to find a way out of the political crisis in our country.

Emmanuel Macron said he was ready for this mediation, with other countries.

In his capacity as a strong political leader, he would obviously be essential to lead this mediation.

We agreed that the best platform for this mediation would be that of the OSCE.

He is ready to support us and to tell other important politicians about these negotiations.

Which leaders are they?

Are you talking about negotiations with Vladimir Putin?

Yes exactly.

We told President Macron that we are ready and open to dialogue with the Russian authorities.

This dialogue is of great importance to us.

Emmanuel Macron supports us in our desire for dialogue with Russia and, I think he is ready to help us start this dialogue.

A few days ago, Alexander Lukashenko accused Emmanuel Macron of paying too much attention to one of the former presidential candidates.

Are you afraid that after meeting Emmanuel Macron, he will call you a “

Listen, Alexander Lukashenko once called me a puppet of all kinds.

Formerly, my husband, (imprisoned opponent), Serguei Tikhanovski was described as a puppet of Russia.

Today I am called a puppet from Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, etc.

Mr. Lukashenko always blames others for what is happening in Belarus.

But if he really wanted to know who is behind the protests in Belarus, he would just have to look in the mirror.

Are you worried that your meeting with Emmanuel Macron will be frowned upon by Moscow as tensions grow between Russia and Europe?

Won't your meetings with Western officials make your relations with the Kremlin more complicated?

We are open to dialogue with all countries, and have said it many times.

Perhaps now we should do more to engage in dialogue with Russia so that our contacts with politicians in other countries are not viewed negatively there.

But I repeat: what is happening in Belarus is only an internal matter of our country.

All this is not directed against Russia, nor against the west, nor the east, nor the south.

It is an internal crisis.

We want to see this crisis defused as quickly as possible.

We are ready to speak with all countries for which the Belarusian people and human rights are important.

We are open to dialogue with all countries.

Do you think that Russia, which gives its credit and political support to Alexander Lukashenko, is interfering in the internal affairs of Belarus?

It is a pity that Vladimir Putin sided with the dictator and not with the Belarusian people.

We are friends with the Russian people and we don't want to get angry with them.

But it's not very pleasant to see how a dictator is supported this way.

Are you personally ready for dialogue with Vladimir Putin?

Are you ready to meet him if he suggests it?

Has the Kremlin contacted you yet?

No.

At present, no one has contacted us from Moscow yet.

I mean, no Russian official.

But of course, we are always open to dialogue, to discussions. 

Do you have other meetings planned in the near future in the European Union?

Our meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled for next week.

We will have further talks in Europe, either face-to-face or online, remotely.

These meetings are of great importance in finding a peaceful outcome to our crisis.

Our position is in principle peaceful.

We absolutely want to avoid the escalation of violence on the part of the Belarusian authorities.

We want to resolve this crisis as soon as possible.

How soon ?

We are ready, why not tomorrow.

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

• Belarus

• Russia

• our selection

• Alexander Lukashenko