VISIT TO POLAND. On January 8-10, the Belarusian leader, along with representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, was in Warsaw on a working visit. She met with key Polish politicians: President Andrzej Duda, Speakers of the Sejm and Senate, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Sport and Tourism, Minister of Education, Minister for European Affairs, Undersecretary of State, and Mayor of Warsaw. At the meetings, politicians discussed steps to release political prisoners, mechanisms for bringing the regime to justice, support for projects that promote the Belarusian identity, as well as ways for Poland to help protect Belarusians’ interests on the international stage.
On January 9, President Andrzej Duda and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya held a reception for the Belarusian community in Poland on the occasion of the winter holidays. In addition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the Belarusian civil society at the Belarusian Solidarity Center in Warsaw, the US Ambassador to Poland, and held a briefing for diplomats from more than 30 countries.
NEW BELARUS TRANSITION STRATEGY. In December, the democratic forces presented the New Belarus Transition Strategy, developed by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, and a group of experts. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team released an article to address the most frequent questions about the document.
VISIT TO FINLAND. During her visit to Finland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the country’s Prime Minister, Speaker of the Parliament, and Minister for Foreign Affairs. The parties discussed simplifying the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Finland, support for European Humanities University and Belarusian students, human rights defenders, and the repressed, as well as the activities of the Contact Group in the Council of Europe. A group “For a Democratic Belarus” was created in the Parliament. They also discussed inviting representatives of democratic Belarus to the meetings of the Nordic and Baltic countries.
BELARUS-FINLAND CONFERENCE. On January 11-12, the conference “Helsinki Dialogue – A Democratic Future for Belarus” was held in Finland, bringing together about 130 people – representatives of Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, experts, diplomats, and Finnish politicians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered opening remarks. During the conference, 6 thematic panels were held, including on the role of Belarus in regional security, the so-called “election” to the regime’s parliament in 2024, and the election to the Coordination Council.
SHAM ELECTION. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the regime’s recent announcement of its rejection of OSCE independent observation for the parliamentary “election” in Belarus: “Lukashenka once again confirmed that the regime only needs this campaign to secure the “new normal”. We will do all we can to ensure the world does not accept this “normal” and rejects it instead. Dear friends, it is in our power to prevent the civilized world from recognizing this sham election. It is within your power to make it be seen as a farce within the country as well. Don’t play the game imposed by the regime – ignore the sham election”.
BELARUS-EU. On January 13, in Vilnius, the Belarusian leader received the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in her office. Ms. Metsola invited Ms. Tsikhanouskaya to participate in the European People’s Party Summit to include Belarus in its international agenda. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya proposed supporting the idea of establishing an international fund to assist the families of political prisoners and provide rehabilitation to those released from prisons. Afterward, the President of the European Parliament met with the families of political prisoners and former political prisoners. Belarusians shared their experience of incarceration and urged Ms. Metsola to do everything possible to liberate those who remain behind bars.
LIVE STREAM. On January 8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet held a live stream on YouTube. They answered questions gathered from Belarusians via the @belcabinet_bot chatbot and asked in the comments during the stream.
ECONOMIC REFORMS. Addressing environmental issues relevant to Belarus requires an elaborate state policy. Therefore, the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE), in collaboration with the Economic Team of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, developed the Belarus Green Economy Concept. The Office presented a summary of the Concept.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Zerkalo (1, 2) (Belarus), Nasha Niva (Belarus), Polskie Radio (Poland), Respekt (Czech Republic), Radio Ratsyia (Belarus), BelSAT (Belarus), and National Journal (International).
