Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, paid a working visit to London, where he held a series of meetings aimed at deepening dialogue between Belarus’ democratic forces and the UK government, as well as strengthening parliamentary and governmental ties.
One of the key meetings took place with the Special Advisor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Foreign Policy, Hannah Shah. Dzianis Kuchynski expressed gratitude for the UK’s consistent support, including targeted sanctions against the Lukashenka regime and the joint statement with Canada and Australia on the fifth anniversary of the 2020 protests. The parties discussed further cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr. Kuchynski also met with the Deputy Director for Central Asia and the Eastern Neighbourhood at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, Mark Clayton, responsible for cooperation with the democratic forces of Belarus. The parties summed up the results of the consultations between Belarus’ democratic forces and the FCDO, launched in 2025, and discussed dialogue in key areas – human rights, culture and diaspora, and independent media.
Parliamentary cooperation
During meetings with the UK Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Freedom and Democracy in Belarus”, Wendy Morton, the parties discussed the group’s activities, plans, and opportunities for further cooperation, including support for Belarusians in the UK.
The meetings concluded with a preliminary agreement to organize the fourth meeting of the International Parliamentary Alliance “For Democratic Belarus” in London in spring 2026. It will be accompanied by a presentation of a package of reforms and draft laws for the future democratic Belarus in the UK Parliament, aiming to receive expert assessments and recommendations from MPs and legal experts.
Other meetings
Dzianis Kuchynski met with Lord Michael German, member of PACE and Rapporteur on Migration and Refugee Issues. The discussion focused on the legal stay challenges faced by Belarusians in the UK and Europe and on ways to use the Council of Europe’s expertise to develop practical recommendations for supporting Belarusians in exile.
Additional meetings took place with the former UK Secretary of Defense, Liam Fox, and the International Secretary of the Labour Party, Christopher Bates, to discuss support for democratic transformations, reforms in the security sector, and assistance to Belarusians in exile.
Another meeting was held with TikTok’s representatives to discuss better opportunities for Belarusian content and cooperation with civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team has received numerous proposals and requests from Belarusian users. Dzianis Kuchynski conveyed them to the company.
Mr. Kuchynski also called for making Belarusian language and culture more visible on the platform and thanked TikTok for its openness to dialogue and for restoring access to the accounts of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka within Belarus. The parties agreed to stay in contact and explore initiatives to support Belarusian creators and journalists.
