“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
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs
During her working visit to Latvia, the Belarusian leader met for the first time in Riga with the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže. Ms. Braže assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya of Latvia’s continued support for Belarus’ democratic forces in their work to make their country free and independent. During the meeting, the parties discussed: 📌 […]
July 05, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It has been a year since the regime last released footage of my husband”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It has been a year since the regime last released footage of my husband. Since then, neither we – his family – nor Belarusians know anything about Siarhei. His inhumane imprisonment has lasted for more than four years. My heart breaks at the thought of him being alone there. Without the chance to […]
July 05, 2024
“Love, solidarity, and Belarusians’ faith in themselves are something the regime can’t understand and fears”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched exhibition “25 Steps to Freedom”
During her visit to Daugavpils, the Belarusian leader launched an exhibition by Belarusian artist Volha Yakubouskaya titled “25 Steps to Freedom”. The characters in this series are cats that embody real people who have left a significant mark on the country’s history during the 2020 events. The event was also attended by representatives of the […]
July 04, 2024
Master’s programs admission for Belarusian students, eased apostille requirements. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Daugavpils University
The Belarusian leader began her working visit to Latvia with meetings at Daugavpils University. During negotiations with the university administration, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the university’s connections with Belarus and its history of contacts with Belarusian universities – up until 2020, it cooperated with higher education institutions in Vitsebsk, Minsk, and Hrodna. Now, the democratic forces […]
July 04, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Instead of building a future on foundations of respect and peace, regime cultivates war”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, at the so-called ‘Stalin Line’, the regime’s actors were instructed to ‘reenact’ an act of genocide during the Independence Day celebrations. This day should be associated with freedom, dignity, and equality. But the dictatorship finds it natural to promote violence and death. Frankly, this is far from preserving historical memory and respecting […]
July 03, 2024
“The regime seeks to control youth’s personal freedom”: Marharyta Vorykhava’s comment on regime’s amendments to Belarus’ education legislation
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, expresses her position on the amendments to Belarus’ education legislation proposed by the regime: “The proposed amendments limit the academic and professional freedoms of young people, introducing control over their personal freedom. This is a violation of basic human rights. The exceptions made for those […]
July 02, 2024
Belarus–EU Consultative Group, meeting with Josep Borrell. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for June 24–30
BELARUS–EU CONSULTATIVE GROUP On June 25-26, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in Brussels, where she participated in the third meeting of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group. The Belarusian side was represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Coordination Council, the United Transitional Cabinet, NGOs, human rights defenders, and the media. The EU, on the other hand, was represented by […]
July 02, 2024
“Belarus receives revived attention”: Franak Viacorka and Dzianis Kuchynski participated in conference on Ukraine and Belarus in EU
Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Franak Viacorka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, participated in the conference “The EU Integration Prospects for Ukraine and Belarus: Assessing the future”. The event was held in London and featured officials, politicians, experts, and representatives of the EU and its member states’ special envoys for Belarus. The Belarusian section focused […]
July 01, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined Kupalle festivities in Vilnius
From late June to early July, Belarusians in various parts of the world, from Lithuania to the USA, celebrate Kupalle, which relates to the summer solstice. The Belarusian leader joined the festivities in Vilnius. During the celebration, participants wove wreaths and floated them down the river, sang Belarusian folk songs, danced, and searched for the […]
June 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Belarusian craftspeople in Vilnius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kropka, a Belarusian space in Vilnius known for its unique Belarus-themed souvenirs. These beautiful items are created by nearly fifty talented Belarusian craftspeople. The space in Vilnius was launched by former political prisoner Dzmitry Furmanau and his wife Volha. During the meeting, the store’s team showed the Belarusian leader the works and […]
June 28, 2024
Belarus’ democratic forces met with PACE President
A delegation of Belarus’ democratic forces participating in the Summer Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) met with PACE President, Tiny Kox. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, shared what was discussed: 📎 A potential cooperation agreement between the PACE and the democratic forces of […]
June 28, 2024