BSW MP Hornauf is planning trips to Belarus and Russia to revive city partnerships

Frankfurt (Oder) - Despite the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, BSW state parliament member Sven Hornauf wants to revive city partnerships with places in Belarus and Russia. A delegation trip to Belarus is planned for November. It's about setting an example for understanding between both peoples, said Hornauf. The “Märkische Oderzeitung” previously reported.

Hornauf: “Ground political weather” should not prevent contact

The authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is the closest ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. After the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began in 2022, city twinning was put on hold.

In April 2027, Hornauf says he also wants to help organize a trip to Russia. The politician from Frankfurt (Oder) said that it should be made possible "that there are normal, regular contacts again - at the people's level - and that the general political situation, regardless of which side, does not prevent these contacts."

Visits to several places in Belarus planned

Hornauf said that between 30 and 40 people wanted to take part in the planned trip to Belarus, most of whom were non-party. In addition to some BSW members, he also named fellow riders from the Greens and the AfD. There are further preparatory meetings coming up.

The largest group comes from Frankfurt (Oder), says Hornauf. He announced a delegation visit from Oderstadt in Vitebsk, Belarus, from November 6th to 11th. Other participants on the bus trip wanted to build on previous city partnerships in Minsk and other places. Potsdam, for example, maintained relations with the Belarusian capital in the past.

Hornauf and BSW members in the Russian embassy

Hornauf helped initiate a visit by BSW members and supporters to the Russian embassy in Berlin in the spring. He also caused criticism because he agreed to several AfD proposals.

In 2024, the MP, who is a lawyer in Frankfurt (Oder), expressed criticism of the stationing of the Arrow 3 missile defense system at the Bundeswehr air base in Holzdorf during the government formation phase between the SPD and the BSW. The coalition between the SPD and BSW in Brandenburg collapsed in January of this year.