“Lukashenka regime seeks to erase our identity and turn young Belarusians into obedient followers of the imperial narrative”
During her working visit to Estonia, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the seminar “Is studying history dangerous? The case of Belarus”. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of preserving Belarusian history and highlighted its role in shaping the country’s future. The leader emphasized that both Russia and the Lukashenka regime are systematically trying to erase Belarusian […]
November 19, 2024
“Dictators can’t be appeased. They can’t be reeducated. They can only be fought”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at the University of Tartu in Estonia: «If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be standing at this stage, at one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe, speaking as a representative of democratic Belarus, I would have laughed and said, “You’ve got the wrong person […]
November 18, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Johan Skytte Institute in Estonia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Estonia by giving a public lecture titled “Belarus after 2020: Dictatorship vs. European Future” at the Johan Skytte Institute. She emphasized that even during challenging times, Belarusians preserve their moral sovereignty and continue to fight for their identity and European future. “Today, Belarus is under creeping occupation again, […]
November 18, 2024
“New generation wants Belarus to be a free country, independent from Russia”
In an interview with Tagesspiegel, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared her perspective on why Belarus failed to reconnect with Europe after the Soviet Union’s collapse and why Belarusians need to address past mistakes while maintaining the momentum for change. Why didn’t Belarus become a European country after the USSR’s collapse? “Belarus had the chance to become a […]
November 18, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Scholarship at MCI Innsbruck: Review from a recipient
Last year, MCI Management Center Innsbruck, Austria, launched a scholarship program for Belarusians under Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s patronage, allowing Belarusian students to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in over 10 majors. Read more about the scholarship here. One of the first recipients of the scholarship, media manager Aliaksandra Pushkina, shared her impressions of her first […]
November 14, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on anniversary of Raman Bandarenka’s death
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Raman Bandarenka died four years ago – and I clearly remember that day. The horror and outrage over this tragedy resonated in the hearts of every Belarusian. Raman’s murder is not a sorrow borne by one family; it is a shared pain that we all carry within us. What happened that night, sadly, […]
November 12, 2024
Belarus and Council of Europe, fall of the Berlin Wall, release of political prisoners, commemoration of Raman Bandarenka. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for November 4-10
VISIT TO STRASBOURG Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Strasbourg this week. During the working trip, the Belarusian leader met with the leadership of the Council of Europe and took part in the World Forum for Democracy. As a result of the visit, the Council of Europe will establish the Information Office for Belarus in Vilnius, as well […]
November 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a memorial event for Raman Bondarenka and all victims of state violence in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined a solidarity rally in Vilnius, held in memory of Raman Bandarenka and all those who have been killed by the Lukashenka regime. The Belarusian leader delivered a speech, honoring the regime’s victims and thanking all Belarusians who continue the struggle: “I’m going out”, were Raman Bandarenka’s last words. He went out to […]
November 11, 2024
“The Berlin Wall fell thanks to the courage of ordinary people. Walls of oppression in Belarus will fall in the same way”
As Germany celebrated the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined politicians, activists, and civil society figures to honor this momentous event, highlighting the importance of the fight for freedom and democracy. The Berlin Wall, which once divided not only a city but also the lives of thousands, has become […]
November 09, 2024
“Fighting tyranny is about…” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Future of Democracy Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Future of Democracy Forum in Vilnius, organized by Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event brought together politicians, diplomats, and MPs from around the world, including Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Head of the Community of Democracies, Mantas Adomėnas, Armenia’s National Security Council Secretary, Armen Grigoryan, EU Special Representative for Human […]
November 08, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg
During her working visit to Strasbourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the World Forum for Democracy – an annual gathering of politicians, scholars, activists, youth representatives, and democracy innovators at the Council of Europe HQ. This forum is more than a platform for discussion as it encourages the European community to take practical action. This year, it […]
November 07, 2024
Belarus Day in Strasbourg: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Council of Europe leadership
During her working visit to Strasbourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos. The Belarusian leader also spoke at the World Forum for Democracy. The discussions covered: ways to secure the release of […]
November 07, 2024
“We have contacts with Donald Trump’s circle and the Republican Party”
The US presidential election has concluded, with Republican candidate Donald Trump headed confidently toward victory. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has congratulated him: “Congratulations on your resounding victory in the US presidential election. I look forward to continuing and enhancing our cooperation with the US to bring freedom to Belarus. The US will always be a key ally […]
November 06, 2024
Visit to Iceland, Andrei Hniot’s release, mass arrests in Belarus. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for October 28 to November 3, 2024
VISIT TO ICELAND Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Iceland, speaking at the 76th session of the Nordic Council and meeting with the prime ministers, parliament speakers, and foreign ministers of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. She called for leadership in supporting Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met with the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and MPs from […]
November 04, 2024
“Dziady is a day that unites Belarusians in shared memory and spirit”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today is a day that brings Belarusians together in shared memory and spirit. A day when we set aside the bustle and noise to honor the people who left a mark on our lives. A day to remember our ancestors and loved ones who will forever remain part of our soul and traditions. […]
November 02, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on mass detentions in Belarus
“Yesterday, another wave of searches and arrests swept across Belarus. The regime even conducted a raid in a town of just two thousand, detaining 14 innocent people. From this one instance, we can only imagine the scale of detentions across the country… People’s phones are being inspected in attempts to find if they have photos […]
November 01, 2024
Andrei Hniot is free! Summary of the campaign for his release
Andrei Hniot safely left Serbia after spending more than a year under arrest. The Belarusian activist, who co-founded the SOS BY Free Association of Belarus Sportspeople, was detained on October 30, 2023, in Belgrade. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomes Andrei Hniot’s release and thanks everyone who fought for his freedom over the past year: “This is truly […]
October 31, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We simply want to live and thrive in freedom, on our land, speaking our language, and fostering our culture”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya concluded her visit to Iceland by participating in the Nordic Council seminar “Path to a Democratic Belarus”. Over 100 people attended it, including the Nordic Council leadership, parliamentarians, ambassadors, and other guests. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya not only delivered a speech but also joined a discussion with the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Þórdís Kolbrún R. […]
October 31, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met for the first time with the new President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, who took office in August 2024. The meeting took place during the Belarusian leader’s visit to Iceland. Ms. Tómasdóttir and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed: 📌 Ways to secure the release of and provide support to political prisoners, including those kept incommunicado; […]
October 31, 2024
How can Nordic Council help democratic Belarus? Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya suggested five practical steps
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is visiting Iceland to take part in the 76th session of the Nordic Council in Reykjavik. Its events are focused on regional security and stability, as well as international cooperation in environmental protection and culture. During a speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya outlined five practical steps that the Nordic countries could take today to support […]
October 31, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Nordic Council plenary session in Reykjavik
During her visit to Iceland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the plenary session of the Nordic Council and delivered a speech: “Dear President Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, Dear Secretary General Kristina Háfoss Your excellencies, Ministers, Members of Parliaments, Friends, allies. It’s such a pleasure to be back in Iceland. Even though we’re 3,000 kilometers from Belarus, it feels like […]
October 30, 2024
“Today we are opening a new chapter in Nordic-Belarus relations”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya briefed the press following her meetings with the foreign ministers of the Nordic Council member states in Reykjavik: “Dear Ministers, Dear Journalists, I know I am among friends here—friends who share a vision of a united, democratic, and peaceful Europe. Even though we’re 3,000 kilometers from Belarus, it feels like home to me. […]
October 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with foreign ministers of Nordic Council countries
During her working visit to Iceland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the foreign ministers of the Nordic countries: Maria Malmer Stenergard (Sweden), Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir (Iceland), Espen Barth Eide (Norway), Elina Valtonen (Finland), and Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Denmark). The discussions focused on ways to support and free political prisoners, assistance to Belarusians in exile […]
October 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged Nordic ministers to take leadership in supporting Belarus
During her working visit to Iceland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Nordic Council session, where she met with the prime ministers and foreign ministers of Nordic countries and attended the speech by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the session held in Reykjavik, the Belarusian leader met with the heads of Norway, Sweden, […]
October 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with PMs of Nordic Council countries
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Iceland. Her meeting with the prime ministers of the Nordic Council countries, the first in this format for the Belarusian leader, became the highlight of the visit. With Bjarni Benediktsson (Iceland), Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), Ulf Kristersson (Sweden), Petteri Orpo (Finland), and Jonas Gahr Støre (Norway), Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed: […]
October 29, 2024
Democratic forces’ statement on 2025 presidential “election”, Luxembourg Solutions summary, registration of Belarusian vehicles in Latvia. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for October 21-27
DEMOCRATIC FORCES’ JOINT STATEMENT ON THE 2025 “ELECTION” The democratic forces of Belarus released a joint statement regarding the 2025 presidential “election” in Belarus, scheduled for January 26. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also addressed Belarusians regarding the sham election PRACTICAL OUTCOMES OF LUXEMBOURG SOLUTIONS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released a summary of the recommendations provided in the document […]
October 29, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with parliament speakers from Nordic countries
On October 28, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to Iceland, where the Nordic Council session is taking place. Its events in Reykjavik bring together heads of government, foreign ministers, and MPs from Scandinavian countries. The Head of the United Traditional Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, were invited as […]
October 29, 2024
Denmark will allocate 700,000 euros to support repressed Belarusians and their families
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Iceland, where she will attend the 76th session of the Nordic Council, which unites Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and the Faroe and Åland Islands with the mission of promoting political, economic, and cultural cooperation among Nordic countries and their parliaments. Alongside participating in the session’s meetings, […]
October 29, 2024
Latvia allowed simplified vehicle registration for Belarusian refugees
The Latvian Saeima adopted an important decision, allowing Belarusian citizens with refugee or alternative status in Latvia to register their vehicles without certification and customs clearance for up to three years. Vitaly Malchanau, who represents Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Estonia and Latvia, thanks the Saeima and its group “For a Democratic Belarus” for the decision.
October 25, 2024