Kryścina Šyjanok: “Sometimes it takes more than a month to explain issues facing Belarusian community”
In an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Director of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic talked about the efforts to resolve the problems faced by Belarusians, explained how the recently launched mission works, and highlighted its capabilities. 📌 “Sometimes we naively expect the European officials […]
April 01, 2024
“We will endure, persevere, and pass through this dark valley”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wished Belarusians a Happy Easter
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!.. Today we greet each other with these words, and they fill us with hope. And everyone hopes for different things. So what do Belarusians hope for? “To be called humans”, as the classic said. To start families, raise children, build our homes, and have a dignified […]
March 31, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with parents of Belarusian schoolchildren in Lithuania
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with a group of parents of Belarusian schoolchildren who have campaigned for more Belarusian language instruction available in lower grades in Vilnius. The meeting was also attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, and Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava. During the conversation, they discussed the […]
March 29, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I cannot give up, I just have no right to. I will stand with my people as long as I can endure”
In an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya talked about her attitude towards the title of an “accidental president” and the desire to resign she sometimes feels. 📌 When people call you an “accidental president”, do you agree? “I agree with that. Fate did not prepare me for this. […]
March 29, 2024
8 “hot” questions about new Belarusian passport
The new Belarusian passport is one of the democratic forces’ most ambitious projects, which has attracted broad popular interest. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Deputy for International Affairs at the United Transitional Cabinet, Valery Kavaleuski, gave an interview to Nasha Niva, answering the most pressing inquiries related to the progress on the document and its readiness. When will […]
March 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We must build strong structures and strengthen networks of people inside the country and abroad to bolster our cooperation”
During her visit to Prague, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty office and gave an interview, in which, among other things, she discussed the democratic forces’ plans for the 2025 presidential election in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Whatever the campaign, it will be a Lukashenka re-election campaign, completely free of competition. But we must […]
March 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
The leader of Belarus’ democratic forces spoke before the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, urging the politicians to address the issues related to Belarus, and substantiated her argument with a series of emotional statements. In Belarus, no one is asking people what they want, how they want to live, […]
March 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We can’t make the change in isolation from the rest of Europe”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the CoE: “Dear President Marc Cools, Dear Vice-President Bernd Vöhringer, Dear Congress, Thank you for the warm welcome today. I feel that I am among friends here. Friends who share the same values, and same vision of a peaceful and democratic Europe. […]
March 27, 2024
Sweden simplified legalization of stay for Belarusians
Since Sweden’s laws allow for obtaining a residence permit even in cases where the national passport is absent or cannot be obtained, the Swedish migration service has released a legal position, taking into account the situation in Belarus. The position explains two major points. First, Sweden will not require valid documents and a Belarusian passport […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Czech Minister for European Affairs
Martin Dvořák and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for Belarusian democratic forces in their campaign for a European perspective for Belarus and a sanctions policy aimed at isolating the regime while keeping the mobility of Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s discussion with the Minister for European Affairs, Martin Dvořák, also addressed Czechia’s visa policy. The Belarusian leader called […]
March 27, 2024
An open call for participation at the Conversation Festival LAMPA in Latvia
The organization FreeBelarus, the Belarusian women’s NGO “Māra” and the Office of the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the summer Conversation Festival LAMPA in Cēsis (Latvia). Discussions, games, morning exercise, and other activities dedicated to the topic of democratic Belarus will take place in the “Bad Neighbors Tent” on July 5 and 6. In order […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague
During the meeting, Stephen Capus and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Belarusian-language broadcasting in general, needed to ensure that accurate information reaches the audience inside Belarus. Mr. Capus and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also talked about the situation with political prisoners, particularly journalists Ihar Losik, Andrei Kuznechyk, and […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Czech Minister of Education discussed new scholarships for Belarusians
The Minister of Education of the Czech Republic, Mikuláš Bek, welcomed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Prague. The Belarusian leader expressed gratitude to Czechia for allocating state scholarships for Belarusian students, including former political prisoners. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya requested more scholarships for both master’s and bachelor’s programs at Czech universities, as well as exemptions from visa restrictions for […]
March 27, 2024
“We clearly realize what change in Belarus we are fighting for”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
The Belarusian leader visited Strasbourg on a working visit, where she participated in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech during which she talked about reform projects for Belarus and made 4 practical requests for assistance from European partners. ⚪️ “Help us to prepare the […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I also want to complain, maybe even cry on someone’s shoulder”
The Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora opened with a speech by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The same emotionally restrained speech was expected from the leader at the end of the event. However, her final conversation with the participants had a completely different, more emotional tone. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Do you realize that politicians need support as well? […]
March 27, 2024
“We are capable of uniting to defend what’s ours”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on Freedom Day
The national leader of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, addressed the Belarusian people on the occasion of Freedom Day: “We have no other option but to hold rallies and ceremonies abroad, not on our native land. As thousands of people remain behind bars, we can only celebrate this day with a sore heart. We say “Freedom Day” […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on foreign diplomats to appoint special envoys for relations with democratic Belarus
At the Embassy of Lithuania in Prague, the leader of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met with ambassadors and diplomats from Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Bulgaria. On the occasion of the meeting, the Lithuanian […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Foreign Minister of Czechia discussed visa issues and support for Office of Democratic Forces in Prague
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, received the leader of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the minister for supporting the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces, the Civil Society Program, through which the country issues visas to activists and […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Czech leadership. What was on agenda?
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working visit to Prague featured several high-level meetings, including with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. During the conversation, the Belarusian leader raised several important issues, including the situation with political prisoners, harsh prison conditions, and coordinated pressure on the regime. In addition, the dialogue focused on ways to stop Belarus’ […]
March 26, 2024
Czech President Petr Pavel received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at Prague Castle
During Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s official visit to Prague, she was received by the Czech president at Prague Castle, where the president’s official residence is located. President Pavel wished Ms. Tsikhanouskaya a Happy Freedom Day and expressed support for the Belarusian people. During the meeting, the parties discussed support for political prisoners and steps towards their release, […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thank you to everyone who took part in Freedom Day celebration!”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “My heart swelled with pride as I heard your voices and saw your eyes shining with warmth. Your support inspires and gives us strength to keep moving forward. At the same time, it breaks my heart that Belarusians inside the country cannot join the festivities and celebrate this day properly… However, I urge […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “No violence can suffocate the strength of Belarusian character. Freedom Day symbolizes our resilience”
Today, the Belarusian leader participated in the online events held by the BNR100 team to celebrate Freedom Day. She addressed Belarusians on the occasion of this national holiday: “This is the milestone that started the recent history of Belarus, our independence, and our national revival. Belarusians stepped out of the shadow of the empire and […]
March 25, 2024
3rd Conference of Belarusian Diaspora in Prague: Second day results
On the second day of the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the People’s Embassies held a joint strategic session. The Belarusian leader joined it, after which she officially launched a memorial plaque in honor of Francysk Skaryna, marking the third object in Prague dedicated to the […]
March 24, 2024
3rd Conference of Belarusian Diaspora in Prague: First day results
Here are the key issues discussed by speakers in the panel discussions during the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. 📌 First panel. Speakers emphasized the need to strengthen the internal and external policies, support for Ukraine, and the Belarusian diaspora’s active participation in international events. Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, […]
March 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians abroad should provide practical assistance to those in Belarus, not just show compassion”
The Belarusian leader spoke at the opening of the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. Guests of the event represent 21 countries and over 100 initiatives and organizations. In her welcome speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that no one but Belarusians can solve their own problems: 📌 “We, Belarusians, tend to underestimate ourselves. We may think […]
March 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Tragedy will not be on TV, we will be watching it unfold with our own eyes”
The national leader of Belarus commented on the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow: “Today’s terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert complex reminded me of what happened in the early 2000s. Horrific scenes after explosions in residential buildings, the Moscow theater hostage crisis, hostages in Beslan… A tragedy that was […]
March 22, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with ambassadors and diplomats from 16 countries
A delegation led by the EEAS Special Representative for the Eastern Partnership, Dirk Schuebel, visited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. The diplomatic delegation included representatives from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Ireland, and Greece. The Belarusian leader briefed the politicians on the importance […]
March 22, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Chairman of Polish Sejm Foreign Affairs Commission Paweł Kowal
During the meeting, the Belarusian leader emphasized the need to support the Belsat TV channel, other independent media, and civil society initiatives. Mr. Kowal and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also discussed the current situation with political prisoners in Belarus, as well as Polish visas for Belarusians. Mr. Kowal assured the Belarusian leader of Poland’s support for the […]
March 22, 2024
“We are fighting the same evil and for the same future”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at opening of Kalinowski Conference in Vilnius
Today, the Lithuanian Seimas launched the two-day Kalinowski Conference. The Belarusian leader spoke at the opening, calling for keeping Belarus on the agenda. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also emphasized the importance of aid to Ukraine and noted that Belarus is the weakest link in Putin’s military machine. Here are the most notable quotes from her speech: 📌 […]
March 22, 2024