February 19, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a keynote speech at a panel on Belarus in Geneva
At the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a keynote address during the panel “The Fight for Democracy in Belarus”. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya addressed the situation of political prisoners in the country, emphasized Belarusians’ opposition to the war in Ukraine, and called for distinguishing between the regime and the Belarusian people. She […]
February 18, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the sanctions imposed by Ukraine against Aliaksandr Lukashenka
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “This is a correct and timely decision by Ukraine. I thank President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his principled position. Lukashenka is not a legitimate leader. He has unlawfully seized power and serves Russia’s interests, not those of the Belarusian people. Belarusians are effectively held hostage by two dictators. The sanctions imposed by Ukraine are […]
February 18, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in Geneva
Today, January 17, during her visit to Geneva, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Summit for Human Rights and Democracy and delivered a speech. The session also included: Hillel Neuer, UN Watch Executive Director; Peter MacDougall, Canada’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva; Baroness Sal Brinton, a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament; […]
February 18, 2026
Munich Security Conference, meetings with the Belarusian community in Warsaw. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: February 9–15
MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE From February 12–15, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Munich Security Conference. She met with the Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Benedetta Berti; the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Boris Ruge; the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren; UK MP Tom Tugendhat; the […]
February 18, 2026
Strengthening parliamentary cooperation and diplomatic engagement: Work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Lithuania on February 17
The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues its engagement in Lithuania. Read an overview of its activities on February 17. Meeting of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Group The Seimas Group “For a Democratic Belarus” held a meeting today. From the Belarusian side, participants included: Dzianis Kuchynski, Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Director of Sviatlana […]
February 17, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Armin Laschet
In Berlin, immediately after the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee, Armin Laschet, who represents the ruling Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Germany and Mr. Laschet personally for supporting the Belarusian democratic community and called for continued support for civil […]
February 17, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava in Berlin
On February 16, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava at the Pilecki Institute in Berlin. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, also joined the meeting, with Franak Viacorka holding separate strategy consultations with Viktar Babaryka. During several hours of discussions, the participants addressed strategic priorities, steps to […]
February 17, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the “Women’s Progress Dialogue” workshop in Berlin
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Berlin to take part in the World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech, and Humankind. She spoke alongside prominent global leaders and human rights defenders during the international workshop “Women’s Progress Dialogue”, dedicated to advancing gender equality and supporting women’s political participation. Former US Secretary of […]
February 16, 2026
Anatoli Liabedzka attended ceremonial events marking Lithuania’s State Restoration Day
On February 16, Lithuania celebrates its State Restoration Day, commemorating the 1918 signing of the Act of Independence. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, took part in official events in Vilnius today. Mr. Liabedzka noted that Belarusians value standing alongside Lithuania on meaningful dates like this and sharing the values of freedom, statehood, […]
February 15, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the discussion “Belarus on the CRINK Axis and Beyond” in Munich
On February 14, at the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a keynote speech at the side event “Belarus on the CRINK Axis and Beyond: Assessing Authoritarian Alliances and Western Response Strategies”. The discussion brought together Belarusian and international experts, including: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Chairwoman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), who delivered a keynote address; […]
February 15, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to discuss the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and international efforts to secure their release. The parties discussed: the releases of political prisoners and the efforts supporting this process; the US humanitarian track; the condition of those released from prison […]
February 15, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the “Spotlight on Belarus” discussion in Munich
On the second day of the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “Spotlight on Belarus” to reflect on the country’s future amid a new geopolitical reality. The discussion also included: Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; Peter Welch, United States Senator; Prof. Dr. Gwendolyn Sasse, Director of the Center […]
February 15, 2026
“The New Public Square is a Screen: Rethinking Democracy in the Digital Sphere”: Side event at the Munich Security Conference
On February 14, as part of the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a youth side event titled “The New Public Square is a Screen: Rethinking Democracy in the Digital Sphere”. Around 200 participants joined the event, including students, young experts, representatives of civil society, researchers, and journalists. The event was organized by […]
February 15, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Petr Macinka. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Czech Republic for supporting Belarus and Belarusian initiatives. The parties discussed the releases of political prisoners, support for the Belarusian diaspora, and the activities […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius
As part of the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the situation regarding nuclear weapons in Belarus and noted that there are no signs of a reduction in Russia’s military presence in the country. On the contrary, Russia is increasingly using […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren
During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren. Siarhei Tsikhanouski was also present at the meeting. The discussion focused on the human rights situation in Belarus and political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the efforts to secure their release and noted the significant role […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Boris Ruge
During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Boris Ruge. The meeting focused on the regional security situation and Belarus within the broader European context. The parties discussed relations between Ukraine and the democratic forces of Belarus, including preparations for the future […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed MSC Young Leaders during the Munich Security Conference
During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke to participants of MSC Young Leaders – a program for emerging political leaders from around the world. The audience included representatives of governments and parliaments, as well as politicians from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Türkiye, Pakistan, Germany, and others. The meeting […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Benedetta Berti
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Dr. Benedetta Berti, who was named a Munich Young Leader in 2013. The meeting was held in a bilateral format and focused on the security of Belarus and the broader region. The discussion addressed how, in recent years, Belarus has effectively become a […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a Women Political Leaders meeting during the Munich Security Conference
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a meeting of Women Political Leaders (WPL), held as part of the Munich Security Conference. WPL is a global network of female politicians with a mission to increase both the number and the influence of women in political leadership positions. The meeting focused on the role of leadership in ensuring […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participates in the Munich Security Conference
Today marks the beginning of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working visit to Munich, where she is participating for the fifth time in the Munich Security Conference – one of the key international platforms that brings together political leaders, diplomats, experts, and representatives of civil society to discuss security in Europe and worldwide. Belarus’ participation in this discussion […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Mikola Ravienski Belarusian School of Arts
On February 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Mikola Ravienski Belarusian School of Arts in Warsaw. The school currently serves around 200 students each week and employs 12 teachers, including presenter Aliaksandr Zhdanovich, widely known as Maliavanych. Director Halina Kazimirouskaya gave Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya a tour, followed by a meeting with staff, parents, and students. The children […]
February 13, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a letter-writing event for political prisoners in Warsaw
On February 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a meeting of the “Napišy List Palitviazniu” (Write a Letter to a Political Prisoner) initiative and joined participants in signing postcards and writing letters to political prisoners in Belarus at the Belarusian Youth Hub in Warsaw. Such gatherings take place regularly. Belarusians come together to write a few words […]
February 13, 2026
Meeting of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
A meeting of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group took place in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Participants included: Anatoli Liabedzka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation; Sviatlana Shatsilina, Head of the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Ukraine; Iaroslav Chornogor, Director of the Russian and Belarusian Studies Program at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy […]
February 11, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Matsvei Kupreichyk of BELPOL
Today, February 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with BELPOL representative Matsvei Kupreichyk in Warsaw. The purpose of the meeting was to synchronize work on key areas and coordinate joint projects. The parties discussed: holding Aliaksandr Lukashenka accountable for human rights violations and crimes committed in Belarus; strengthening international pressure on the regime; coordinating joint […]
February 11, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Knihauka bookstore in Warsaw
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Knihauka, a Belarusian bookstore in Warsaw. She met with publisher Andrei Yanushkevich and familiarized herself with the work of his publishing house, which prints books exclusively in the Belarusian language. Andrei Yanushkevich Publishing is an independent Belarusian publisher founded in Minsk in 2014 and shut down by the regime in early 2023. […]
February 10, 2026
Expansion of presence in Poland, meeting with Viktar Babaryka, Coordination Council hearing. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: February 2–8
EXPANSION OF PRESENCE IN POLAND This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began work in Warsaw, where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office will soon open. Part of the team will relocate to Warsaw, in particular those who speak Polish and are well acquainted with the Polish context, including the Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, and the Senior Political Advisor, Alexander Dabravolski. […]
February 10, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian Solidarity Center
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Belarusian Solidarity Center (BSC) in Warsaw today. The discussion included members of the BSC Board, Helena Niedźwiecka and Volha Dabravolskaya. Volha also leads the Legal Aid Department. The meeting focused on legal support for repressed Belarusians, including former political prisoners in exile. The parties also covered practical matters […]
February 10, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference from February 12 to 15
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will attend the Munich Security Conference, taking part in the main program and side events and holding a series of political meetings. The program will include a panel discussion titled “Focus on Belarus”, also featuring Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and US Senator Peter Welch. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya is scheduled to give several interviews […]