Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski, paid a working visit to Washington. Below are the key meetings and outcomes of the visit.
HEARING IN CONGRESS
On February 3, Dzianis Kuchynski spoke at a hearing of the US Congress’ Human Rights Commission dedicated to the situation in Belarus. The hearing was chaired by Congressman Christopher Smith. Alongside Kuchynski, the hearing featured Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Vytis Jurkonis of Freedom House, and international human rights lawyer Jasmine Cameron.
A recording of the hearing is available on YouTube. Dzianis Kuchynski spoke about the situation of political prisoners in Belarus. He described their conditions as systemic torture: cold, isolation, incommunicado detention, lack of contact with relatives, pressure on families and lawyers, and placement in punishment cells:
“Conditions for political prisoners are worsening, not improving. Many of them were recently placed in temporary detention facilities without heating, at temperatures reaching –30°C in Belarus. This is real torture. One of the victims is Artsiom Liabedzka, the son of President Tsikhanouskaya’s advisor. Artsiom’s life was destroyed simply because his family stood up for democracy”.
Dzianis Kuchynski emphasized the situation of women political prisoners, describing it as critical even within the broader crisis. He conveyed testimony from Maryna Zolatava, who, after her release, called for special attention to women who have been imprisoned the longest, suffer from serious illnesses, or are of advanced age:
“Her message was urgent and clear: we must focus on those who have been imprisoned the longest, those with serious health conditions, and elderly women. One such case is Iryna Melkher, a 70-year-old woman with severe health problems. Another is my university colleague, human rights defender Marfa Rabkova, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison”, he noted.
Mr. Kuchynski called for intensified efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners, to hold another round of the US Strategic Dialogue with the democratic forces of Belarus, and to continue systematic support for Belarusian democratic institutions.
The full text of the speech is available at the link.
MEETINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE
As part of the visit, Mr. Kuchynski held two meetings at the White House – with the Special Assistant to President Donald Trump and Director for European Affairs, Charles McLoughlin, and with the Senior Advisor to Vice President J.D. Vance, Spiro Ballas.
The meetings focused on continuing the previous agreements, humanitarian efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, the impact of negotiations around Ukraine on the situation in Belarus, and the growing hybrid threats posed by the regime to EU countries.
On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski thanked the United States administration for practical humanitarian results and presented a proposal from the United Transitional Cabinet outlining a possible role for the United States as an international mediator in future democratic transformations in Belarus.
More details on the meetings at the White House.
OTHER MEETINGS
In addition to the congressional hearing, Dzianis Kuchynski’s three-day visit to Washington included a wide range of diplomatic meetings with international partners and US government representatives. Briefings and meetings were also held with teams of US senators and members of Congress.
Meetings took place with:
- EU Ambassador to the United States, Jovita Neliupšienė,
- Lithuanian Ambassador to the United States, Gediminas Varvuolis,
- Norwegian Ambassador and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt.
The main focus of these meetings was the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, international pressure on the Lukashenka regime, and further actions in support of democratic transformation.
Dzianis Kuchynski also met with the leadership of the National Endowment for Democracy and the President of the International Republican Institute, Daniel Twining, to discuss long-term support for Belarusian civil society and democratic institutions.
On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and his administration for practical humanitarian outcomes, including the release of a group of political prisoners on December 13, as well as for the work of the Special Envoy to Belarus, John Coale.
Dzianis Kuchynski: “The visit to Washington confirmed that support for the Belarusian people, the fight for the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of democracy in Belarus remain an important part of the international agenda.
While US humanitarian steps contribute to the release of political prisoners, the European track with coordinated pressure remains key to ensuring systemic change in Belarus. This solidarity and principled stance are crucial for the future of a free and sovereign Belarus”.
