"I understand Belarusian very well. I didn't even think so." VIDEO of Belarusian political prisoners' conversation with Zelenskyy released
Six political prisoners released on December 13 participated in this meeting: Viktar Babaryka, Maryia Kalesnikava, Uladzimir Labkovich, Maksim Znak, Maryna Zolatava, and Aliaksandr Fiaduta.

Laptop on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's desk during a video call. Screenshot from video
"We support you. We cannot imagine how incredibly difficult it is when, in a state of war, such a massive attack and aggression from Russia occurs, how hard it is for you to cope with this, and you still find the opportunity to support us," said Maryia Kalesnikava at the beginning.
After her, Maksim Znak took the floor. He spoke in Belarusian and asked Zelenskyy if he could help resolve the issue with documents, as the political prisoners, taken to Ukraine, are without passports.
"I understand Belarusian very well. I didn't even think so," Zelenskyy smiled and promised to address this problem together with the leadership of other countries.
Viktar Babaryka, in his speech, asked how the released Belarusian political prisoners could help Ukraine.
Zelenskyy replied that the primary help would be if they used their influence among the Belarusian people to spread pro-Ukrainian sentiments and send appropriate signals. "Help as you can," he summed up.
Babaryka, in response, asked for understanding regarding some understatement in the statements of recently released political prisoners, explaining it as "post-prison shock."
"We are all united in assessing this position: you are suffering, you have been subjected to aggression, and you are absolutely right: freedom and the lives of people who gave their lives for it are the most important. And it must win," he declared.
Uladzimir Labkovich stated the importance of ensuring that the current release of political prisoners in Belarus is not the last, and asked Zelenskyy to contribute to this. He also called for not equating the Lukashenka regime with the Belarusian people, assuring that support for Ukraine among ordinary Belarusians is great. It is very important not to lose the historical and cultural ties between the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples, even in the current situation.
Aliaksandr Fiaduta also spoke in Belarusian and drew Zelenskyy's attention to the fact that women particularly suffer in detention, and therefore it is important to make great efforts to free them from the Homiel colony. He also wished Volodymyr Zelenskyy victory in the upcoming presidential elections.
There was not enough time for Maryna Zolatava to speak.
At the end, Maryia Kalesnikava expressed the wish that Belarusian political prisoners would have the opportunity to meet Zelenskyy in person and hug him.
Comments