On October 30, in Tallinn, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held her first meeting with Estonia’s President Ülle Madise, who took office on October 12. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya was among the first people President Madise received in Tallinn.
The parties discussed how Estonia and Belarus’s democratic forces could further strengthen their cooperation on the international stage. They spoke about possible joint events, including during upcoming international visits and engagements, to help maintain the dialogue and keep the international community’s attention focused on the situation in Belarus.
President Madise and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed regional security, including the Lukashenka regime’s hybrid attacks against neighboring countries, their impact on Estonia, and the need for a coordinated response to these threats. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that cooperation with the Baltic states and Poland is particularly important for a democratic Belarus, and that Estonia’s position remains crucial.
The parties addressed the situation of Belarusians living in Estonia. Ülle Madise asked about the Belarusian community, the challenges its members face, and ways to support them. Before becoming President, Madise had served for more than ten years as Estonia’s Chancellor of Justice, working on issues including the protection of human rights and freedoms.
The meeting also touched on women’s leadership. Ülle Madise became the second woman to serve as Estonia’s President. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya shared the experiences of Belarusian women in politics and spoke about the Women’s Political Leadership Academy.
President Madise expressed her support for the Belarusian people and reaffirmed her principled stance toward the Lukashenka regime.
