Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in Vienna, where she is participating in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting. She was invited by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen. A session on Belarus was held during the visit, where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered remarks. Only two countries – Ukraine and Belarus – had dedicated side […]
December 06, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, is on a visit to the United States. In Washington, he met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Eastern Europe, Christopher Smith: “An excellent discussion with Christopher Smith – our true friend and ally. On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, I sincerely thanked him for his tireless efforts to secure […]
December 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “In Belarus, many people have needs that have remained invisible to the regime for years. People with disabilities do not require special privileges to live fully – they require only fair and accessible conditions: healthcare, education, the ability to move around, work, and participate in public life. What is routine for some of […]
December 06, 2025
Talks at the White House: Release of political prisoners and the future of Belarus
In Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, held talks with the Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, Andy Baker. Mr. Kuchynski noted the United States’ outstanding diplomatic efforts and expressed hope that the humanitarian releases would continue and all political prisoners would be freed. On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski conveyed […]
December 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Grand Continent Summit
On December 3, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Grand Continent Summit, speaking on the panel “How Democracy Thrives”. The Grand Continent Summit is a closed forum in the Alps that brings together around two hundred experts and politicians. It is organized by the French publication Le Grand Continent under the patronage of French President […]
December 03, 2025
Monthly recap: November 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The book “A Political Prisoner’s Survival Guide” — a collection of advice and illustrations created by people who have been imprisoned in Belarus — was presented in Vilnius. Budźma Belarusami! released a video on the issue of banned books in Belarus. Belarusians in various countries commemorated Raman Bandarenka on the anniversary of his death. The […]
December 02, 2025
Visit to Berlin, United Transitional Cabinet meeting, Women’s Political Leadership Academy in Prague. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: November 24–30
VISIT TO BERLIN On November 26–27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Berlin. She met with the new President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, to discuss efforts to secure the release of political prisoners – the parties agreed to continue cooperation between the Bundestag and the democratic forces of Belarus. With the Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya […]
December 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Norway: Support for the repressed, media, “For Democratic Belarus” Group in Parliament
On December 1, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Norway, during which she held a series of meetings with the country’s leadership, members of parliament, and representatives of civil society. The visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between Norway and the democratic forces of Belarus, as well as to coordinate actions in international institutions in the […]
December 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Oslo, where she took part in a public event at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. She delivered a speech, addressing the current situation in Belarus: despite work on the humanitarian track and releases, politically motivated persecution in Belarus continues every single day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Last year, you helped launch […]
December 02, 2025
Second Women’s Political Leadership Academy took place in Prague
The Second Women’s Political Leadership Academy was held in Prague, bringing together 10 participants, all of them former political prisoners. This initiative provides women who have experienced repression an opportunity to develop their potential and strengthen their leadership skills. The Academy aims to prepare women for more active participation in politics, allowing them to represent […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Menschen in Europa Award
On November 27, during her visit to Germany, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was honored with the Menschen in Europa Award. The ceremony took place in Passau as part of the annual Menschen in Europa program, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the defense of human rights and democratic values. Yulia Navalnaya received the […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the 105th anniversary of the Slutsk Armed Uprising
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks 105 years since the Slutsk insurgents rose up against the idea that Belarus’ future could be decided from the outside. Lacking military advantage, they were nonetheless convinced that Belarus is worth fighting for. The Slutsk Armed Uprising is part of our history, even if it was silenced for decades. But this […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the renewed “For Democratic Belarus” Group in the German Bundestag
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Berlin, where she joined the ceremonial meeting of the Parliamentary Group “For Democratic Belarus” on the occasion of its launch. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya addressed the politicians and invited them to consider a new resolution on Belarus that would reflect the current situation and make the country one of the […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul
On November 26, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Johann Wadephul, received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Berlin. They discussed key issues of international politics and the situation in Belarus: Peace negotiations on Ukraine. Minister Wadephul and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed various possible developments. The Belarusian leader emphasized that the outcome of these talks will also […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Bundestag President Julia Klöckner
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, in Berlin today. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the current political situation in Belarus: the ongoing repression, restrictions on independent journalists, cultural initiatives, and civil society organizations. She also highlighted the size of the Belarusian diaspora in Germany and its significant contribution to supporting […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the press conference of the United Transitional Cabinet in Warsaw
Dear friends, Today, at the Cabinet meeting, we discussed our position on the plan to achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia, our strategy for the release of political prisoners, and the Cabinet’s plans for 2026. We are closely following the negotiations on Ukraine and are in contact with our European allies to ensure that Belarus’ […]
November 25, 2025
Visits to Poland, Estonia, and the United Kingdom, reopening of the Lithuania–Belarus border, releases of priests and Ukrainian citizens. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: November 17–23
VISIT TO KRAKÓW On November 17–18, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kraków, where she held meetings with Mayor Aleksander Miszalski, City Council Chairman Jakub Kosek, as well as the Belarusian diaspora and cultural initiatives. During talks with the city leadership, the key needs of Belarusians were discussed. Kraków also hosted the 10th Open Eyes Economy Summit, an […]
November 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the recent detentions at the Belarus border
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “News about yet another round of detentions at the border is a further reminder of how dangerous returning to Belarus remains. The regime continues to detain people, check their phones, draw up reports, and place them in temporary detention facilities. Some Belarusians, after such detentions, serve administrative arrest or face criminal charges. All […]
November 24, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, we speak about violence in all its forms: physical, psychological, and political. About the women who faced domestic violence and were forced to seek protection where it often doesn’t exist. About those who endured humiliation and discrimination at work. About the women who lost their freedom for their civic stance and went […]
November 24, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna
In Tallinn, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the previous day, Minister Tsakhna had participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. The parties discussed the outcomes of the ministerial meeting, as well as the US proposals for ending the war in […]
November 23, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Estonia’s Minister of the Interior Igor Taro
As part of her visit to Tallinn, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was received by Estonia’s Minister of the Interior, Igor Taro. The parties discussed the military and political situation in Belarus, issues faced by the Belarusian diaspora, and further bilateral cooperation. Around 3,000 Belarusians currently reside in Estonia, where dozens of diaspora groups and NGOs continue their […]
November 23, 2025
Pavel Tereshkovich’s comment on the state of science in Belarus
Today, dictator Lukashenka held a so-called “big conversation with scientists”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, explains why the current state of Belarusian science is not the result of “a lack of output from researchers” but a consequence of many years of dictatorial policy. He recalls Belarus’ real place in international rankings, […]
November 23, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the conference “Authoritarianism and Resistance: Lessons from Belarus and Georgia” in Tallinn
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a working visit to Estonia, during which she opened the international conference “Authoritarianism and Resistance: Lessons from Belarus and Georgia”, organized by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Representation of Democratic Belarus in Tallinn, the East European School of Political Studies, and the Tbilisi School of Political Studies. In her […]
November 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Estonian President Alar Karis
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Tallinn today, where she met with the President of Estonia, Alar Karis. The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere, with President Karis expressing his solidarity with the Belarusian people. Key topics of the meeting included: the military and political situation in Belarus, the Lukashenka regime’s dependence on […]
November 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the 2025 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award
On November 19, a ceremony for the 2025 Freedom of Expression Awards, presented annually by Index on Censorship, took place in London. This award has become a symbol of solidarity with those who continue to fight for free speech and democratic change despite repression by authoritarian regimes. This year’s laureate of the Trustees Award is […]
November 21, 2025
“The Future of Belarus in a Peaceful Europe”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a discussion in London
During her visit to London, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the public discussion “The Future of Belarus in a Peaceful Europe”, organized by the Center for European Reform (CER) and the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom. Also participating in the conversation were the Deputy Head of Foreign Policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Center, […]
November 21, 2025
Statement by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the release of Belarusian priests and the need to end repression against the Church
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I warmly welcome the release of Belarusian priests Fr. Henrykh (Henadz) Akalatovich and Fr. Andrzej Yukhnevich. This is a truly important step that restores hope to their families, parishioners, and all those who prayed for their freedom. Their release is a reminder that solidarity, international attention, and action matter. I would like to […]
November 20, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing for the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Freedom and Democracy in Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a working visit to London, where she met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Freedom and Democracy in Belarus” in the UK Parliament. She held a briefing for the politicians and, in her opening remarks, thanked the group for its unwavering support, emphasizing that partner support remains crucial on the path […]
November 20, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with city leadership and the Belarusian diaspora in Kraków
On November 17–18, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kraków to participate in the Open Eyes Economy Summit, one of Europe’s largest forums dedicated to the value-based economy, where she delivered an opening speech. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also held meetings with the Mayor, Aleksander Miszalski, the Chairman of the City Council, Jakub Kosek, as well as representatives of the […]
November 19, 2025