Official comment by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya regarding the statement by Lithuanian Seimas member Vytautas Sinica

The Belarusian democratic community values the long-standing support of Lithuania, its government, and people, and thanks it for standing by Belarusians in their peaceful struggle for democratic and European transformation, and for helping those who face persecution or have been forced into exile due to repression.

The statement by a member of the Lithuanian Seimas, which has appeared in the public domain, contains inaccurate and false information and undermines the friendly relations between the Lithuanian and Belarusian peoples. We therefore find it necessary to respond:

1. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the majority of votes in the 2020 presidential election according to independent tallies and expert assessments, securing a first-round victory. The election results were stolen, and the Lukashenka regime unleashed a campaign of terror against Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya was forced to leave the country under threats. Lithuania welcomed her as the winner of the election and granted her the official status of guest of the Republic of Lithuania. Many countries have recognized Ms. Tsikhanouskaya as the elected president or the leader of democratic Belarus.

1. The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Baltarusių demokratijos atstovybei (Representation for Belarusian Democracy) were established in Lithuania, with the latter accredited as the official representation of the Belarusian democratic community. Its purpose is to strengthen Lithuanian–Belarusian relations and enhance cooperation and coordination with Lithuanian authorities. Neither Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office nor the Representation receives any direct financial assistance from Lithuania, and their staff do not enjoy any special privileges or benefits in the country.

1. Other democratic entities established by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council – represent a broad coalition of Belarusian NGOs, initiatives, and political parties. In addition to Vilnius and Warsaw, democratic missions operate in Tallinn, Prague, Brussels, and Kyiv. They are committed to peaceful democratic change in Belarus, a European future, support for Ukraine, and accountability for the regime.
2. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the democratic forces of Belarus have consistently condemned any manifestations of so-called “Litvinism” and attempts to sow hostility between Lithuanians and Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya has made a number of public statements denouncing “Litvinism” and, in 2025, proposed to members of the Lithuanian Seimas a draft joint declaration “On Promoting Understanding Between Lithuanians and Belarusians Regarding Historical Heritage and Identity for the Future and Freedom of Both Nations”. Earlier, Lithuania’s State Security Department stated that under the guise of “Litvinism,” there are efforts to discredit Belarus’ democratic forces and create division between Lithuanians and Belarusians residing in the country.
3. Siarhei Tsikhanouski, released and deported to Lithuania by the Lukashenka regime after five years of unlawful imprisonment, has publicly and unequivocally condemned Russian aggression and the occupation of Crimea on the very day of his release, expressing support for Ukraine. He also clarified his earlier comments about “Belarusian enclaves”, explaining that he had no intention of creating any autonomous districts and meant the strengthening of Belarusian diaspora communities abroad by establishing business and cultural hubs – much like the Lithuanian diaspora did during Soviet occupation.
4. The democratic forces of Belarus have consistently drawn attention to hybrid threats from the Kremlin and the Lukashenka regime. They support the efforts of Lithuania and the EU to strengthen security and defense, collect evidence of the regime’s role in orchestrated migration attacks, identify potential regime agents within Lithuania and the EU, and track entities involved in sanction circumvention. The democratic forces also provide practical and political support for Lithuania’s efforts to bring the regime to justice in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for instrumentalizing illegal migration and deporting civilians.
5. The democratic forces of Belarus closely coordinate their political and diplomatic efforts with the governments of Lithuania, Poland, the European Union, and other democratic countries. There is an EU–Belarus Consultative Group, the Strategic Dialogue with the United States, and Strategic Consultations with the United Kingdom and Canada. Cooperation with the Council of Europe takes place through a dedicated Contact Group.
6. Under the leadership of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the democratic forces of Belarus have adopted the Declaration of Future Membership of Belarus in the European Union and the common Platform 2025. These documents affirm Belarus’ European future, the need to remove the country from under the influence of imperialist Russia, and a return to the European family of nations to which Belarus has historically belonged.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the democratic forces have always acknowledged Lithuania’s crucial role in supporting democratic change in Belarus and providing institutional representation for the Belarusian democratic community. We value and are grateful for this cooperation. Lithuania, having experienced occupation itself, understands how essential the Free World’s support is in such a struggle.

We are committed to returning home to build a free, democratic, and European Belarus – a country that is predictable, peaceful, and a secure neighbor.

July 23, 2025