On Tuesday, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene received Maria Kalesnikava, who returned to freedom after more than five years of unlawful imprisonment, and her sister Tatsiana Khomich,
reports
LRT.
Павялічыць
Photo: Press service of the Government of Lithuania
“I am glad you are free. Lithuania is ready to help you in every way,” said Prime Minister I. Ruginiene during the meeting.
She also emphasized that the Lithuanian government supports the diplomatic efforts of the United States aimed at freeing all political prisoners in Belarus.
“We cooperate with the U.S. President’s Special Envoy John Coale, whose diplomatic efforts yield tangible results — both in the release of political prisoners and in strengthening security in the region. These steps are extremely important for us, as they also contribute to strengthening Lithuania’s national security,” Prime Minister I. Ruginiene noted during the meeting.
During the meeting, M. Kalesnikava thanked the Prime Minister for Lithuania’s consistent support for Belarusian civil society and the democratic movement, as well as for facilitating the release of political prisoners and providing them with all necessary assistance.
The head of the Lithuanian government stressed that Vilnius will continue to maintain pressure for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, noted that Lithuania hears the voice of the Belarusian people and will continue to support Belarusian civil society and the democratic opposition.
Maria Kalesnikava and Tatsiana Khomich also met with Mindaugas Sinkevičius, chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania.
Павялічыць
Photo from Mindaugas Sinkevičius’s Facebook
“During the meeting, Maria Kalesnikava called on Lithuania and other European countries to actively support the U.S. efforts regarding Belarus. She also emphasized the importance of humanitarian issues and expressed confidence that this year could be a turning point — a year when not a single political prisoner might remain in Belarus,” the politician said.
He stressed that Lithuania’s policy towards Belarus should be based on clear goals and tangible results, and that isolation alone does not lead to solutions: “Sanctions are not an end in themselves; they must be used wisely as a tool to achieve specific goals, especially in the areas of security and humanitarian issues, including the release of political prisoners.”
He added that during the meeting, Maria Kalesnikava also called for increasing the mobility of Belarusian citizens between Lithuania and Belarus, emphasizing the importance of more intensive movement with Europe and proposing to resume the Minsk-Vilnius railway passenger connection, as well as to update bus routes.