December 16, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following the Ukrainian leader’s video call with the recently released Belarusian dissidents who were taken to Ukraine on December 13.
“In the darkest times, Ukraine shows what true leadership means,” she said on X. “Heartfelt thanks to President 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.”
“Ukraine will continue to help everyone who helps us defend our independence and the lives of our people,” Zelensky told former Belarusian presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka; his former campaign managers Maryja Kaleśnikava and Maksim Znak; human rights defender Uładzimir Łabkovič; journalist Maryna Zołatava; and political analyst Alaksandar Fiaduta.
Most of the 123 people released on December 13 after talks between Alaksandar Łukašenka and John Coale, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, are now in Ukraine. Many of them were reportedly deported without passports.
