To my European friends, we're not strangers. We're family members who've been away for too long. We're the forgotten Europeans returning home. Belarusians have always been a part of Europe & always will be. Here's why: 👇 Historically, borders didn't separate Belarus from Europe. We've been a bridge bringing the West to the East, peacefully. Our ancestors laid the foundation. They embodied European ideals before it became a conscious choice.

We are calling to mark the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus on March 25. This day is also known as "Freedom Day" in Belarus. This time, we want to use it to show support for the freedom of Belarus & Ukraine. Here are some ideas on what you can do to #StandWithBelarus. Organize public, virtual, or offline events on Belarus in your country, discussing possible solutions & what the international community can do to help. Belarusians abroad can hold solidarity pickets on this day.

Today there are at least 1,446 political prisoners in Belarus - during the past year, the number almost doubled. It includes 15 married couples & 70 persons sentenced to 10 yrs or more. It's a machine of terror & repression, built to break all those who dare to resist the regime. According to human rights defenders, there are at least 25 pensioners among the political prisoners. The oldest is 74 years old. Also, 74 persons with disabilities or serious diseases are held in inhuman conditions & without access to adequate care.

While Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom, an important but less visible part of the war is taking place in Belarus. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Belarusians have resisted in many ways - even as the level of repression has only intensified. 👇 Railway partisans are attacking the rail infrastructure to stop the movement of Russian military equipment through Belarus - it's also called the rail war. More than 80 acts of sabotage have been carried out. If caught, they risk long prison sentences or even the death penalty.👇

Today we find ourselves at a historical crossroads & there are only 2 directions – either a European & democratic Belarus, or a de facto Russian occupation & many years of isolation & lawlessness. I believe that Belarusians deserve to live in freedom & to decide their own future. Belarus deserves to be a member of the European family where we have always belonged. Because Belarusians are fundamentally European. Russia's attempt to rewrite history & separate Belarus from Europe goes against our historical memory & our mentality.

The European Union abstained from suspending issuing short-term visas to Belarusians. I am grateful to 🇪🇺 & all our democratic partners who helped to make this happen! But I see the need to explain how the whole situation looks to the Belarusian people ⬇️ Lukashenka seized power by force 2 years ago & made Belarus an accomplice to Russia’s war in Ukraine against the will of the Belarusian people. Every survey shows that the absolute majority (between 86 and 97%) is against the deployment of Belarusian troops in Ukraine.

In my letters to UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres, @POTUS & @eucopresident, I warned against the lifting of sanctions as part of an agreement to transport Ukrainian grain. This will not resolve the food crisis. It will only worsen the situation in Belarus & embolden Russia. Lifting sanctions distracts from the real cause of possible shortages – the Russian war in Ukraine & the blockade of the Ukrainian ports by the Russian navy – & it will embolden Putin & Lukashenka to continue their lawless & immoral behavior against Ukraine, Belarus & others.

My husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski is being tried today, together with Mikalai Statkevich, Ihar Losik & other bloggers & activists. Diplomats weren’t allowed into the courtroom. Siarhei is facing 15 years in jail. I don't know what to expect but definitely not justice. 1/8 Siarhei is a successful businessman. He ran an advertising company & dreamt of restoring a neglected historic mansion. When he faced injustice&corruption, he started a blog, A Country to Live In. Wherever he traveled, crowds gathered. People inspired him to run for president. 2/8

The regime forced the landing @Ryanair plane in Minsk to arrest journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich. He faces the death penalty in Belarus. We demand immediate release of Raman, @ICAO investigation, and sanctions against Belarus. Lukashenka’s regime endangered the lives of passengers onboard the plane. From now – no one flying over Belarus – can be secure. International reaction needed!

Join me, Head of my Cabinet of Representatives @kavaleuski, and Representative on Legal Affairs Siarhej Zikratski for the live stream in Russian. We are going to answer questions from Belarusains. ⬇️🤍❤️🤍
On people's demand of unity of the democratic leaders:
all democratic leaders are united by the aim of having the new free & fair presidential election in Belarus. We are moving forward to this aim together. Don't listen to propaganda.

Unless we, the people of #Belarus, do not bring the criminals in our country to justice, no one will. I announce the People’s Tribunal and an amnesty for the capture of Lukashenka and members of his state-sponsored terrorist group. We must counteract politruks & accomplices of the regime carrying out repressions, threatening people with dismissal & arrest. My internat. team is working to obtain official recognition of Lukashenka & co. as a terrorist group & to promote universal jurisdiction courts. 2/

2 months of political crisis, violence and lawlessness in Belarus. Enough is enough. We’re announcing the People’s Ultimatum on October 25th. We demand that: 1. Lukashenko must go. 2. Violence has to stop. 3. Political prisoners must be released.1/ Regular weekends in Belarus ended 2 months ago. We all voted for changes on the 9th of August and have been peacefully protesting ever since they stole our votes. In response, the authorities shot us, beat us, and lied to us. 2/

Today we’re proudly marching for our country, people and all Belarusians continuing to fight. Our peaceful protest has shown its results. Authorities realised that it’s necessary to talk to people of Belarus, so Lukashenka visited the KGB jail yesterday. He sees it as real negotiations.