Tikhanovskys to EU: Systemic Change for Belarus, Internal Opposition Balks
Svetlana and Sergey Tikhanovskiy, prominent figures within the Belarusian opposition movement, recently presented their vision for a democratic Belarus to the European Parliament, making a resolute plea for the European Union to maintain robust pressure on Minsk for fundamental systemic changes. This high-profile visit, however, has not been met with universal acclaim within the Belarusian opposition ranks, with some vocal critics dismissing their appearance and proposals as a mere spectacle.
The European Parliament, signaling a clear departure from any rapprochement with the incumbent Belarusian authorities, has undertaken a series of actions underscoring its confrontational posture. These include the adoption of a resolution explicitly refusing to recognize Alexander Lukashenka as the legitimate president of Belarus, a move actively endorsed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya herself, who hailed it as a crucial step in the struggle for freedom and a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the Belarusian people.
Further solidifying its stance, the European Parliament awarded the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist currently imprisoned in Belarus, alongside his Georgian colleague Mzia Amaglobeli. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized that the laureates ‘fight for your freedom and ours,’ underscoring the award’s dedication to human rights and freedom of expression. The accolade, named after Soviet physicist and human rights advocate Andrei Sakharov, has historically recognized figures like Nelson Mandela and Soviet dissident Alexander Marchenko.
It was against this backdrop that the European Parliament extended its esteemed platform to the Tikhanovskys, allowing them to address MEPs during a plenary session. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya made a fervent appeal, contrasting the U.S. focus on humanitarian tracks and prisoner releases with the EU’s potential role. She urged the EU to ‘remain firm and principled,’ advocating for sanctions specifically aimed at irreversible systemic changes rather than merely saving lives. Her message was unequivocal: ‘Keep the pressure on… until Belarus embarks on the path to democracy.’
Tikhanovskaya articulated a vision of Belarus aligned with European values, stressing that ‘the majority of Belarusians have chosen peace, democracy, and a European future,’ a future she deemed unattainable as long as Lukashenka remains in power. She even alluded to murmurs of ‘transit’ within the ruling elite, suggesting an internal understanding that change is inevitable. A particularly poignant moment in her address was her heartfelt tribute to her husband, Sergey, whose portrait she had carried to international events for five years, now standing beside her, seemingly revitalized and energetic.
Sergey Tikhanovskiy, making a resolute appearance, swiftly moved from spousal gratitude to direct demands and clear reproaches. Reflecting on the 2020 protests, he asserted that ‘due to Europe’s indecisiveness… Belarus, a beautiful nation with strong Western European values, was left alone, and Moscow prevailed. This was not only tragic and unjust – it was also a serious strategic mistake.’
He then presented a unique strategic proposal for Belarus’s geopolitical future: ‘Of course, Belarusians would like to join NATO. But after what happened in Ukraine, Belarusians will never believe that we will ever be accepted. We are not that naive. So how do we solve this problem? What is the formula? The answer can be found in Europe’s own history. Think about Finland! Think about Finland before it joined NATO. Finland learned to live next to a difficult neighbor and at the same time build a successful, independent country without joining a war.’ Tikhanovskiy envisioned Belarus as a ‘neutral bridge between the EU and Russia,’ a ‘win-win solution’ for all.
Concluding his impassioned address, Sergey Tikhanovskiy issued a direct and unyielding challenge to the European Parliament: ‘You have the tools, resources, and power to make the plan a reality. Now it’s your choice, Europe. Don’t let us down. Not like last time!’ The MEPs, reportedly moved by his words and perhaps acknowledging a shared responsibility, responded with a standing ovation.
However, this ‘two-pronged’ address by the Tikhanovskys did not resonate with the same enthusiasm across all factions of the Belarusian opposition. Ivan Kravtsov, Secretary of the Coordination Council – an opposition structure some view as a proto-parliament – and a former associate of Viktor Babariko, an alternative presidential candidate in 2020, voiced significant dissent. Kravtsov openly questioned the legitimacy of the Tikhanovskys’ platform in the European Parliament.
In a heated exchange within an opposition Telegram chat, Kravtsov declared the proceedings a ‘fake process,’ arguing that ‘Tikhanovskaya’s opinion does not reflect the opinion of Belarusians at all’ and accused a ‘small group of sympathizers in the European Parliament’ of staging a ‘circus.’ He controversially added that listening to speeches ‘created in ChatGPT’ was ‘impossible.’ Yet, he did express a preference for Sergey Tikhanovskiy’s speech over his wife’s, inadvertently highlighting what some perceive as a growing political divergence within the once-united opposition couple.