The United States intends to start a strategic dialogue with the “Belarusian democratic movement and civil society” from the end of 2023. This is stated in press release following a meeting in Washington between Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and former presidential candidate of Belarus Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
“Deputy Secretary Sherman and Ms. Tikhanovskaya expressed their hope that the strategic dialogue will involve US government agencies dealing with Belarus issues, as well as a wide range of Belarusian democratic forces, including political leaders, civil society representatives, independent journalists, human rights activists, lawyers, trade union leaders, scientists and ordinary Belarusians,” said Vedant Patel, deputy head of the press service of the State Department.
Formerly US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken declared about the intention to appoint a special representative for interaction with the Belarusian opposition. The State Department website says that Washington is helping Belarus by promoting democratic principles, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In Belarus, criminal cases were opened against many oppositionists against the backdrop of the 2020 presidential election, the results of which led to mass protests. In particular, Mrs. Tikhanovskaya is abroad, who, according to the opposition, won the elections. Alexander Lukashenko, who, according to the results presented by the CEC, became the President of Belarus for the sixth time, accused Western countries in financing the “so-called opposition”. He claimed that the mass protests were planned by the United States.
