Within the two-day visit to London, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held negotiations with the leadership of the Foreign Office, leaders of parliamentary parties, security and defense experts. She also gave interviews to leading British and European media: Channel 4, Sky News, BBC HardTalk, Reuters, The Economist. In addition, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke to ambassadors and diplomats of 35 countries.
At the meetings, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed:
- In negotiations with representatives of Ukraine, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya supported the call of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to close the airspace above the country. This will prevent the Belarusian territory from being used for the shelling of Ukraine and limit the possibility of drawing Belarus into the war.
- Ms. Tsikhanouskaya suggested that Britain assist Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine with ammunition, means of protection and communication. She also called for supporting activists and journalists within Belarus with software to circumvent blocking and censorship.
- The Belarusian leader met with the Ambassador of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko, expressed her support and offered to keep in touch. She also visited the office of BBC News Ukrainian, where she supported journalists and thanked them for their brave work.
- Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed visas for Belarusians with the Ambassador of Estonia. Estonia will not suspend issuing visas, except for tourist visas, and will not limit scholarships for students. The problem with e-Residency remains unresolved, as by suspending its issuance for Belarusians, Estonia is trying to prevent the circumvention of sanctions by the regime's accomplices.
- The issue of Russian troops’ presence and the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus will be proposed for discussion to the members of the UN Security Council.
- Soon, the UK, in partnership with the EU and the US, will consider extending sanctions against the Lukashenka regime, including barring remaining state-owned banks from SWIFT.
- The House of Lords, in attendance of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, held a hearing, during which the Lords called on the British Foreign Office to increase support for civil society and strengthen sanctions against the regime in Belarus.
- The UK will consider increasing funding for Belarusian independent media.
- The UK will continue funding the international platform for collecting evidence of the regime's crimes. British politicians will raise the issue of placing Lukashenka under investigation in the case of the invasion of Ukraine, which the International Criminal Court is now considering.
- In every interview and at every meeting, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for supporting Belarusians and separating the actions of the regime and the people of Belarus, who, despite repressions, are actively engaging in the Anti-War Movement.
