“It’s hard for Belarusians to understand what democracy is. They have never lived in one”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at LAMPA Festival
At the LAMPA Festival in Cēsis, Latvia, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined a discussion panel “18-” with local youth. The teenagers asked a variety of questions, ranging from Belarus’ political issues to life advice that the Belarusian leader could offer. The youth were particularly interested in hearing about dictatorship. They wondered what it is and how people […]
July 18, 2024
Leanid Marozau was appointed Legal Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
There have been important changes in Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. Leanid Marozau replaced Kristina Rikhter as the Advisor on Legal Affairs to the Belarusian leader. Mr. Marozau spoke on his appointment with Zerkalo and BELSAT.NEWS addressing his background, motivation, and plans regarding OST’s legal projects. Here are Leanid Marozau’s most notable quotes from the interview: 📌 […]
July 17, 2024
“This invitation is a sign of support for Belarusians who see Belarus as a free, democratic, and European state”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ahead of European Political Community Summit
The Belarusian leader will join the European Political Community Summit, which will be held on July 18 in the United Kingdom. The event will be attended by 46 European state leaders, as well as the leaders of the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO. The participants will include Charles Michel, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel […]
July 17, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Belarusian humanitarian organizations
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continued her working visit to Poland by meeting with Belarusian humanitarian organizations at the Belarusian Youth Hub in Warsaw. Twelve foundations and associations joined the conversation: 📎 Belarusian Medical Solidarity Foundation; 📎 Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners and Former Political Prisoners “FreeBelarusPrisoners”; 📎 Christian Vision; 📎 Volnyja; 📎 Belarusian Association of Political […]
July 17, 2024
“We are working to secure exceptions allowing Belarusians to use their vehicles to enter, exit, and travel within EU”. Franak Viacorka’s comment on restrictions at EU border
Latvia has introduced a ban on the entry of passenger cars registered in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, comments on the situation: 📌 “The decision-makers who imposed the restrictions did not consider the political consequences. The restrictions impact pro-European sentiments among Belarusians, further legitimize the regime, and lump Belarus together with Russia and […]
July 16, 2024
“We have a mutual agreement that restrictions must not affect passenger transportation”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on restrictions at EU border
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Restrictions on the entry of Belarusian-registered vehicles are a hasty and harmful decision. It primarily hurts the people, not the Lukashenka regime. Therefore, we are trying to convince our partners to revert or amend this decision. We are in contact with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, emphasizing the need to make exceptions for Belarusians […]
July 16, 2024
Visit to the US, Coordination Council speakers, Tutaka Festival. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 8-14, 2024
VISIT TO THE USA From July 9 to 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Washington, where she participated in the NATO Public Forum at the invitation of the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. During the visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and co-authored an op-ed with Nancy Pelosi for The Washington Post, highlighting tyranny in […]
July 16, 2024
“While some are waiting for changes for the better, others are working on them every day”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former political prisoners
An important part of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working visit to Poland was a meeting with former Belarusian political prisoners. The event was organized by and hosted at the Belarusian Youth Hub with the help of Volnyja, which supports the reintegration and resocialization of political prisoners after their release. Former political prisoners shared their stories with the […]
July 16, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Yet again Belarusians prove that in times of disaster, we are stronger than state institutions”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Belarusians for their solidarity in dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane: “A terrible hurricane has struck Belarus. Six people died, including two children. Such a tragic loss. Let me offer my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones… Many people in southern Belarus have been left without water and electricity […]
July 15, 2024
Evolution of Belarusian business community in exile: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Association of Belarusian Business Abroad
During her working visit to Poland, the Belarusian leader met with the leadership and members of the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA). The meeting involved Belarusian business owners from various cities in Poland and Latvia, representing different economic sectors – from small-scale manufacturing to IT and other business services. The discussion focused on: 📌 […]
July 15, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leadership of Polish Chamber of Commerce
The Belarusian leader is on a working visit to Poland. She held her first official meeting with the leadership of the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the largest independent business organization in Poland, representing around 300,000 businesses. The Chamber already collaborates with the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA), supports trustworthy Belarusian businesses in Poland, and […]
July 15, 2024
“While we Belarusians are scattered across the world, our culture, history, and language keep us together”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at TUTAKA Festival
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the TUTAKA Belarusian Festival, where she met with diplomats and activists, visited a market of Belarusian craftspeople, and participated in several cultural events. As usual, conversations with Belarusians were a significant part of her visit. In Podlasie, the evening was filled with sincere discussions about important and concerning issues for Belarusians. Ms. […]
July 14, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on anniversary of Ales Bialiatski’s arrest
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Three years ago, the regime attempted to destroy Viasna, the largest Belarusian human rights organization. To achieve this, they fabricated criminal cases to imprison members of the movement: Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich, and Uladzimir Labkovich. They were given lengthy prison sentences simply for legally assisting Belarusians who faced persecution. For the democratic world, […]
July 14, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Estonian Prime Minister and Czech Foreign Minister during NATO Summit
During the NATO Summit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, and the Foreign Minister of Czechia, Jan Lipavský. With Ms. Kallas, they discussed the EU’s strategy vis-a-vis Belarus after the European Parliament election and the work of the Consultative Group, as well as a potential hearing on Belarus with the […]
July 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Leader of US House Democratic Caucus
During the NATO Summit, the Belarusian leader met with Hakeem Jeffries, the Leader of the Democratic Caucus in the US House of Representatives. During the meeting, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Jeffries and other House members for supporting the Belarusian people and the solidarity campaigns for political prisoners in Belarus. She also discussed the latest sentences […]
July 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Iceland’s Foreign Minister
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir on the sidelines of the NATO Summit. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya of Iceland’s support for the democratic forces of Belarus. The Belarusian leader spoke about the situation with independent media and political prisoners and called for efforts towards their release. Ms. […]
July 12, 2024
“Lukashenka continues policies started by communists”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at Captive Nations Summit
The Belarusian leader participated in an international conference dedicated to Captive Nations Week. The event took place at the Victims of Communism Museum during the NATO Summit in Washington, where participants discussed how the legacy of totalitarianism affects current events in Eastern Europe. In her speech, the Belarusian leader highlighted the consequences of communism for […]
July 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I hope new speakers will facilitate quality communication and productive work within Coordination Council”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Yesterday, the Coordination Council elected its Speaker and Vice-Speaker. Let me congratulate Anzhalika Melnikava and Stanislava Hlinnik on their new positions. I hope their work will facilitate quality communication and productive work within the Coordination Council. The Coordination Council is an important part of Belarus’ democratic forces, a representative body of civil society […]
July 12, 2024
Preserving Belsat and easing restrictions on goods transport across Polish border: What Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed with Radosław Sikorski
The Belarusian leader met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, during the NATO Summit in Washington. At the meeting, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya mentioned the situation with the Belsat TV channel and urged the minister to continue supporting the channel while maintaining its independence. She emphasized that the TV channel is critically important […]
July 11, 2024
“Ales brought to light what many felt but were scared to verbalize”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on anniversary of Ales Pushkin’s death
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks one year since the death of Ales Pushkin – an outstanding Belarusian artist, art restorer, and political prisoner. Ales’s death is a huge loss for Belarusian culture. However, he will always be remembered – not only for his talent and creativity but also for his indomitable spirit. Through the prism of […]
July 11, 2024
“You cannot appease or re-educate dictators, you can only fight them”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on MSNBC’s Morning Joe
Nancy Pelosi and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the morning show “Morning Joe” on MSNBC. During the conversation, the politicians discussed the problem of dictatorships and how they are on the rise worldwide. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also emphasized the importance of democratic Belarus’ cooperation with NATO and why this alliance is a bulwark against tyranny. 📎 “We […]
July 10, 2024
The Luxembourg Solutions 6-7 June 2024 Outcomes and perspectives
The conference “The Luxembourg Solutions” was organised as a follow-up to the report “Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile” adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in June 2023 and whose rapporteur was Paul Galles (Luxembourg, EPP/CD). Its objective was to discuss the role national parliaments and other […]
July 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on new EU restrictions: “To convince the world to differentiate Belarusians and the regime, we need efforts of all Belarusians, not just politicians”
In an interview with Zerkalo, the Belarusian leader explained why control at the borders between Belarus and the EU has tightened and what developments the situation might take: 📌 “The situation at the border and the restrictions against Belarusians are the consequences of the Lukashenka regime’s policies, which have driven us into a political and […]
July 10, 2024
Nancy Pelosi and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Facing down dictators such as Putin and Lukashenka is what NATO was built for”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Nancy Pelosi, a US House of Representatives member and the first female Speaker in American history, co-authored an op-ed for The Washington Post. In the piece published ahead of the NATO Summit, the politicians focus on the tyranny in Eastern Europe and call for increased pressure on dictators. Here are the key […]
July 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ahead of visit to Washington for NATO Summit: “I want Belarus to be seen as reliable, peaceful, and predictable partner”
From July 9 to 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will visit Washington to participate in the 2024 NATO Summit at the invitation of the NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg. In May, the Belarusian leader met with NATO leadership and addressed the North Atlantic Council in Brussels. During her visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will speak at various events, discussing the […]
July 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am proud of Belarusians fighting for Ukraine”
In an interview with the Czech publication TN.CZ, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed potential triggers for changes in Belarus and the efforts being made to free political prisoners. Here are the key points from the interview: 📌 “We do not rule out that Putin might repeat what he did in 2022. But if that happens, Belarusians will […]
July 09, 2024
Release of political prisoners, visit to Latvia, Independence Day in Belarus, and Statehood Day in Vilnius. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 1-7, 2024
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS The release of several political prisoners from Belarusian colonies was announced this week, including Ryhor Kastusiou, who has cancer. Most of the 15 released political prisoners were nearing the end of their sentences. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement calling for seeking freedom for all political prisoners. VISIT TO LATVIA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
July 08, 2024
New Belarus Conference 2024: Event Program
On August 3-4, the New Belarus Conference 2024 will take place in Vilnius, bringing together Belarus’ democratic forces, activists, public and cultural initiatives, and representatives of the diaspora. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has prepared a preliminary program for the event. Please note that changes are possible. If you wish to participate in the conference, find all […]
July 05, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at LAMPA Festival: “No regime, propaganda, or Russian occupation could erase our European identity”
The Belarusian leader attended the LAMPA Festival in Cēsis, Latvia, where she participated in panel discussions on Belarus’ place in the Baltic region, “Belarus – One of the Countries in the Baltic Sea Region?” and “The Baltic States and the Fourth Sister”. Here are the key points Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made during the discussions: 📌 “Belarusians […]
July 05, 2024