January was marked by a series of international meetings and decisions concerning both the support of democratic forces and the practical needs of Belarusians living abroad. The month’s agenda emphasized coordination with international partners, initiatives to facilitate the release of political prisoners, as well as issues related to legal documents and education. Below are the key developments from the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
- The first bilateral meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This was Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s first in-person meeting with President Zelenskyy in such a format. The parties discussed joint steps with European and American partners, sanctions, and efforts to hold Lukashenka and his regime’s accomplices accountable (including for the forced displacement of Ukrainian children). Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also proposed appointing a Special Envoy on Belarus and strengthening cooperation with the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Kyiv. President Zelenskyy invited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to visit Kyiv.
- Visit to Davos. On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a series of meetings with international leaders and influential figures and took part in discussions on the forum’s main platforms.
- The Francysk Skaryna Belarusian Gymnasium in Vilnius was successfully defended thanks to the efforts of the Association of Belarusian Parents in Lithuania and the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
- Meeting with the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. President Nawrocki and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the releases of political prisoners, the situation of Andrzej Poczobut, regional security, relations with the US administration, and possible joint initiatives to support the Belarusian community in Poland. President Nawrocki also hosted a Christmas reception for the Belarusian community, attended by more than 150 people.
- Meeting with released political prisoners in Warsaw. Together with Pavel Latushka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with more than 40 former political prisoners now in Warsaw. They discussed problems with legal documents, settling into life in Poland, prospects for further releases, and security issues.
- Spain began recognizing expired Belarusian passports. On June 20, 2025, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya reached an agreement on this with the country’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares; the arrangements were finalized in January 2026 with the support of other ministries.
- Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna. Minister Tsahkna and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed regional security, next steps toward the releases of political prisoners, joint initiatives in international organizations, and plans for 2026. They separately discussed the work of the Representation of Democratic Belarus in Tallinn and the possibility of expanding its activities.
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