Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya concluded her visit to Davos, where she participated in discussions and met with prominent global politicians.
The Belarusian leader took part in the “Future of Belarus“ event and “Peace Through Strength” discussion, which focused on strategic security and democracy and featured notable figures like the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met:
- With the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. She discussed the challenges posed by restrictions against Belarusians in Latvia and called for open borders for Belarusians and policies that distinguish Belarusians from Russians. The discussion also addressed the situation of political prisoners in Belarus.
- With the former Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin. Ms. Marin and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya agreed to launch an international solidarity campaign for politically imprisoned women in Belarus and hold a joint event on Belarus in collaboration with the Tony Blair Institute, where Ms. Marin now works. The conversation also explored possible strategies for securing the release of political prisoners.
- With the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noël Barrot, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for continued and increased visa issuance for Belarusians. She also stressed the need for the international community not to recognize the January 26 sham election. Diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives to secure the release of political prisoners were also addressed.
- With Japanese MP Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People. The parties discussed cooperation with the Japanese parliament, inter-parliamentary ties, aid for Belarusian NGOs, and risks related to the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus.
- With the Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen. Ms. Valtonen and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the potential launch of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to investigate repression and election fraud in Belarus, Finland’s support for Lithuania’s initiative to hold the regime accountable in the International Criminal Court, and collaboration between Belarusian and Finnish NGOs.
- With the Foreign Minister of Portugal, Paulo Rangel. The focus was on the potential launch of the Moscow Mechanism following the sham election and Portugal’s participation in initiatives to hold the regime accountable. The parties agreed to organize an international conference on democratic transition and transitional justice.
- With the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. After Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of dialogue with NATO, the parties agreed to hold a follow-up meeting after the sham election in Belarus.
