Opposition leader urges Portugal to help defend Belarus’ independence

November 16, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja urged Portugal to take a strong position in defense of Belarusian independence, her aide Franak Viačorka has told Pozirk.

At her meeting with Helena Carreiras, Portuguese defense minister, Cichanoŭskaja expressed concern about the presence of Russian troops and nuclear weapons in Belarus and asked for assistance in establishing ties with the countries of the Global South, in particular with Portuguese-speaking Brazil, Mozambique and Angola.

Cichanoŭskaja and Carreias also discussed assistance to Belarusian volunteers fighting alongside the Ukrainian forces as well as regular exchange of security-related information, Viačorka said.

At the invitation of Portuguese Foreign Minister João Cravinho, the Belarusian politician addressed Web Summit 2023, one of the largest annual technology conferences that gathered hundreds of participants from startups and international businesses in Lisbon.

The politician called for consistency and determination in defense of democratic principles and values as she briefed participants on developments in Belarus since 2020 and Belarusian-Russian relations. Ukraine’s victory in the war against Russia will also be a victory for Belarus which should not become a consolation prize for Russia, she stressed.

The opposition leader arrived in Lisbon on November 12 and had several high-level meetings focusing on sanctions against Alaksandar Łukašenka and his cronies, support for Belarusian pro-democracy forces and the legalization of Belarusians abroad.