Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Foreign Minister of Finland
During the conference “Helsinki Dialogue – A Democratic Future for Belarus”, the Belarusian leader held talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that the conference contributed to relations between the two countries and was a good investment in the future of both nations. The minister highlighted that Finland […]
January 11, 2024
Belarus friendship group, Kalinowski Conference: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Speaker of Finnish Parliament
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Advisor for Interparliamentary Cooperation and Constitutional Reform, Anatol Liabedzka, and Representative in Latvia and Estonia, Vitali Malchanau, met with the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho. The meeting focused on the establishment of a group “For a Democratic Belarus” in the Finnish Parliament and its participation in the work of the […]
January 11, 2024
Migration issues, assistance to political prisoners: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Prime Minister of Finland
The Belarusian leader expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, for Finland’s longstanding support for Belarus, including for educational and cultural projects, as well as scholarships for Belarusian human rights defenders. During the meeting, the politicians discussed Finland’s potential assistance in organizing rehabilitation programs for former political prisoners and their families and holding the […]
January 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Finnish experience shows us that a nation can emerge from shadows of a larger power”
Today, the two-day conference “Helsinki Dialogue – A Democratic Future for Belarus” began in Helsinki. The conference brought together around 130 participants, including representatives of Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, experts, diplomats, as well as international experts and Finnish politicians. The Belarusian leader delivered opening remarks, outlining how democratic forces envision Belarus after a democratic […]
January 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s opening remarks, Helsinki Dialogue, 2024
“Dear Minister Elina Valtonen, Dear General Secretary, Dear Kimmo, Belarusian and international friends, It is an honor and privilege to speak at the open Helsinki Dialogue. It’s quite symbolic that the conference on Belarus’ future takes place in Finland. Finland’s journey offers both hope and inspiration for us. Finland’s path is a testament to the […]
January 11, 2024
Support for civil society and US Special Envoy for Belarus: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Ambassador in Poland
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, Valery Kavaleuski, Pavel Latushka, and Alina Koushyk, met with the US Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski. They discussed the outcomes of the Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue and the next steps in cooperation, with a key focus on appointing a US Special Envoy for Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called […]
January 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Polish Institute of International Affairs
The Belarusian leader joined a discussion of the current situation in Belarus and addressed its participants. During the event, the future of the Coordination Council and the United Transitional Cabinet was discussed, along with the repercussions of Russia’s war against Ukraine for the security of Europe and beyond. Participants also discussed Poland-Belarus relations and possible […]
January 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged diplomats from over 30 countries to simplify migration procedures for Belarusians
The Belarusian leader and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet held a briefing for diplomats based in Warsaw. Ambassadors from 30 countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Ukraine, and Lithuania, as well as diplomats from Poland attended the meeting. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the situation with political prisoners, […]
January 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of Belarusian civil society and independent media in Warsaw
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of Belarusian civil society at the Belarusian Solidarity Center in Warsaw. Representatives of several initiatives, media outlets, and NGOs participated in the meeting, including the Workers’ Movement, Press Club, Viasna Human Rights Center, the Association of Political Prisoners “To Freedom”, Reform.by, Belarusian Youth Hub, Euroradio, Belarus Free Theatre, ISANS, Association […]
January 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for extending validity of legal documents for Belarusians in Poland
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet met with the Undersecretary of State of Poland, Professor Maciej Duszczyk. The meeting was also attended by a representative of the contact group, which has been working on a regular basis at the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration since 2022 to address migration issues […]
January 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Poland Andrzej Duda
Andrzej Duda assured Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Poland’s full support for the democratic forces and the Belarusian people in their struggle for freedom. The politicians discussed joint events and coordinated actions in international organizations, including the UN. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for inviting Belarus to the events within the framework of the Lublin Triangle, which includes Poland, […]
January 10, 2024
Anatoli Liabedzka: “Poland might have elected another Parliament and government but its concern for Belarus persists”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Interparliamentary Cooperation and Constitutional Reform, Anatoli Liabedzka, announced that as a result of today’s meetings, the Polish Sejm and Senate will form groups “For a Democratic Belarus”. He explains in the video why two separate groups are needed, what they will be doing, and why this is an important development for […]
January 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Minister of Education of Poland Barbara Nowacka
Ms. Nowacka and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the situation regarding the opening of Belarusian-language schools in Poland, as well as the teaching of Belarusian as a foreign language in Polish schools. More than 25,000 Belarusian children are currently enrolled in schools in Poland. The parties also discussed the situation with Belarusian high schools in Podlasie (Eastern […]
January 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Polish Minister of Sport and Tourism Sławomir Nitras
Mr. Nitras and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for repressed athletes from Belarus and the possibility of their participation in international competitions, including the Olympic Games. They also talked about preventing pro-regime athletes who supported terror and repression from participating. Additionally, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet called for providing conditions for training […]
January 09, 2024
Belarusian schools in Poland and hearings on Belarus: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her team met with Polish Sejm and Senate
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and with her advisors, Franak Viacorka and Anatoli Liabedzka, as well as representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, met with the new Polish leadership – Sejm Speaker, Szymon Hołownia, and Senate Speaker, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. The speakers pledged full support for Belarus’ democratic forces. Discussions centered around the establishment of Belarusian schools in Poland […]
January 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of United Transitional Cabinet met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski
During the meeting, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Minister Sikorski for Poland’s assistance to democratic Belarus and non-recognition of the Lukashenka regime, as well as for the support for Belarusian political prisoners. In particular, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Sikorski for becoming a symbolic godfather of Siarhei Tsikhanouski. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also informed the minister about the recent […]
January 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to Poland by meeting with Mayor of Warsaw
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commenced her working visit to Poland with a meeting with the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski. During the meeting she was accompanied by representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, Valery Kavaleuski, and Alina Koushyk. The Belarusian leader proposed to Mr. Trzaskowski a joint information campaign in support of Andrzej Poczobut […]
January 08, 2024
European perspective for Belarus, pressure on regime: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Cabinet representatives held talks with Polish Minister for European Affairs
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, Valery Kavaleuski and Pavel Latushka, held talks with the Minister for European Affairs of Poland, Adam Szłapka. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities for cooperation as Poland will take over the presidency of the EU Council in 2025, preparations for which have already begun. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya […]
January 08, 2024
New Belarus Transition Strategy: 10 key questions
In December, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, in collaboration with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, and numerous experts, developed the New Belarus Transition Strategy and presented it for public discussion. The document outlines possible scenarios for a democratic transition in Belarus. Additionally, it highlights the main directions of reforms that will contribute to a gradual […]
January 08, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Belarusians on Orthodox Christmas
“Today is a day when we all want something bright and wonderful to happen. Hope for a miracle… But what’s the “miracle” Belarusians hope for today? To see and hug their loved ones who are far away. To return home and feel safe. To live in a free and prosperous country without having to search […]
January 06, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of United Transitional Cabinet will answer Belarusians’ questions live
On January 8 at 19:00 Minsk time, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet will hold a YouTube live stream to answer Belarusians’ questions. Questions can be sent to the @belcabinet_bot Telegram bot. They will also be accepted in the YouTube chat during the live stream. The Cabinet warns viewers from Belarus about […]
January 06, 2024
Lithuania issued first 3-year humanitarian residence permits to Belarusians
Today, it was reported that the first Belarusians who had applied for an extension of their Lithuanian residence permit on humanitarian grounds received their new permits valid for 3 years. Previously, such residence permits had to be renewed annually. This indicates that the law recently adopted by Lithuania has come into effect. These changes also […]
January 05, 2024
Meetings with President and new government: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced visit to Poland
From January 8 to 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will be in Warsaw for a working visit, where she will meet with key Polish politicians. Representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet will also join the meetings alongside Ms. Tsikhanouskaya. Negotiations are expected with the Speakers of the Sejm and Senate, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister […]
January 05, 2024
Anatoli Liabedzka commented on draft law “On the President” developed by democratic forces
The regime in Belarus amended the law “On the President of the Republic of Belarus” to include guarantees of immunity and financial bonuses for the dictator and his family. In the video, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Interparliamentary Cooperation and Constitutional Reform, Anatoli Liabedzka, discusses the draft law “On the President” developed by the working group […]
January 04, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on meetings with Biden and Zelenskyy
In a 2-hour interview with TOK, the Belarusian leader talked about her meetings and conversations with the US President, Joe Biden: “I had two meetings with President Biden and one phone conversation. During the meetings, he first and foremost asked me about the people in prisons, our struggle, and our needs. It was very important […]
January 04, 2024
Public discussion of New Belarus Transition Strategy is underway
Like any changes in a country’s life, reforms during the transition period require popular support. The New Belarus Transition Strategy can only achieve sustainable results if people are actively involved. Broad public discussion will allow the democratic forces to consider the opinions and expertise of a larger audience, and adjust aspects that require refinement. The […]
January 04, 2024
How does Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya relax after busy workdays?
The Belarusian leader shared what she does in her leisure time during her interview with TOK: “My time is an hour or so after I put the kids to sleep. I can respond to messages on Instagram, watch videos, or catch up on the news. It’s still somewhat work-related, but during this time, I can […]
January 03, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared how she used to dress up for New Year’s Eve in her childhood
On the New Year’s Eve broadcast of Obychnoye Utro on YouTube, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared her childhood experiences dressing up for New Year’s Eve events: “I was Little Red Riding Hood in kindergarten, a snowflake too. Of course, my mom had to sew the costumes by hand. In adulthood, I had to experience that again. In […]
January 03, 2024
New Year’s greetings of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya 2024
Read the text version of the speech here.
December 31, 2023