Tsikhanouskaya received an award in Poland and recounted a conversation overheard in "Żabka"

The award was granted for her activities in promoting democratic transformations in Belarus and strengthening the country's relations with the European community.

The prize was established in Darłowo in honor of King Eric of Pomerania (1381 — 1459), born in that city, who was the first monarch to head three countries within the framework of the Kalmar Union.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, speaking after receiving the award, emphasized that Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Poles are fighting for the same values.

"Yesterday, in the 'Żabka' store on Morska Street, I overheard an interesting conversation.

The salesperson and an elderly gentleman were discussing this very award. The salesperson said: 'The award is being given again, but not to our people.' 'Well, yes,' the gentleman politely replied, 'but Belarusians are also ours. Today they are fighting for freedom, just as we did then.'

And he was right. Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Poles — we are all participating in the same struggle. We are fighting for the same values and confronting the same evil," she said.

"Although my name is written on this diploma, I would like to dedicate this award to the thousands of Belarusians who continue to fight for freedom, despite fear, repression, and exile. Some act underground, some help by passing on information. Some support political prisoners and their families. Some fight for Ukraine. Some promote Belarusian language and culture, and today this is also a form of resistance," Tsikhanouskaya added.

She noted that she did not seek to become a politician, but sometimes life does not ask if we are ready.

"It simply puts us before a choice: to accept injustice or to resist it. And I simply did what I believed was right for my family and my country. As Andrzej Poczobut said, we simply try to behave with dignity in undignified times," she said.

Tsikhanouskaya noted that Poland understands the struggle of Belarusians like no one else. Poles know what it's like to live under tyranny and to fight when there is almost no hope left. She reminded that Poles and Belarusians have much in common in history and culture.

"We fought together in uprisings against the Russian Empire, and in our history, there have never been conflicts that could divide our peoples. In 2020, Poland opened its doors and hearts to thousands of Belarusians fleeing repression, to independent media, human rights defenders, people of culture, and business.

We view Poland as an example and a model for Belarus. We want Belarus to be like Poland — strong, democratic, and prosperous. Someday we will rebuild our country and return to the European family of nations, to which we historically belong," she said.

She called on Poland to maintain its support.

"I ask you to remain faithful to these principles, to continue supporting Ukraine and Belarus. We will not allow dictators to blackmail us. Dictators cannot be appeased, they cannot be re-educated — they can only be fought. Therefore, I ask you to continue to put pressure on the regime. Maintain tough sanctions until we see real changes: until all political prisoners are released, repression stops, and Belarus ceases to be a part of Russia's war," she said.

Tsikhanouskaya also reiterated the call to distinguish between the Belarusian regime and the Belarusian people.

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