Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has made a heartfelt plea to the Polish government, urging them not to shut down border crossing points between the two countries. In a post on social media, she emphasized the importance of keeping Belarusians connected to Europe, stating that they cannot be left “behind a new iron curtain.”
The call comes as Poland considers closing the remaining border checkpoints with Belarus in an effort to curb illegal migration. The Polish government has accused Belarus of encouraging people from the Middle East and Africa to travel to Belarus and then cross the border illegally into Poland.
The European Union has also condemned Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for facilitating this influx as a retaliation against sanctions imposed on the country. In response, Poland has already closed four out of the six checkpoints on the border with Belarus.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated on Sunday that they are considering the closure of all border crossings due to Belarus’s actions. However, Ms. Tikhanovskaya argued that any initiatives to limit border traffic should target the dictator, not the people, as they cannot be abandoned to their fate behind a new iron curtain.
Ms. Tikhanovskaya rose to prominence in 2020 when she ran against Mr. Lukashenko in presidential elections, following the imprisonment of her husband by the regime. Despite claiming victory in the polls, which were widely believed to be rigged, she was forced into exile in Lithuania with her children the day after the vote. She has since been sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail for treason and conspiracy to seize power.
The situation at the Belarus-Poland border remains tense, with the fate of many Belarusians hanging in the balance as political tensions continue to escalate.
