Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya declared herself as the national leader of Belarus
“This morning, Russia attacked Ukraine, violating the fundamental principles of international law. The Belarusian territory and Armed Forces were involved in this treacherous act of aggression. The full responsibility for the war belongs to Lukashenka and his regime, along with the Russian president. The illegitimate leader of Belarus introduced alien troops and made our country […]
February 24, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya declared herself as the national leader of Belarus
“This morning, Russia attacked Ukraine, violating the fundamental principles of international law. The Belarusian territory and Armed Forces were involved in this treacherous act of aggression. The full responsibility for the war belongs to Lukashenka and his regime, along with the Russian president. The illegitimate leader of Belarus introduced alien troops and made our country […]
February 24, 2022
The Venice Commission’s Opinion on the regime-pushed constitutional reform: instead of solving the crisis, reform only aggravates it
The Venice Commission assesses national laws and bills so that they defend the people and ensure the observance of people's rights. The Commission is a tool for constitutional-making in countries transitioning to democracy. Today, the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Interim Opinion on the regime-pushed constitutional reform in Belarus. The Commission's report notes the following: […]
February 23, 2022
The Operational Headquarters of Belarusian democratic forces started work in Vilnius
Representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Coordination Council, National Anti-Crisis Management, Honest People community, Voice platform, and ZUBR initiative joined their efforts to promptly respond to the “referendum”-related developments in Belarus, as well as to make decisions given the tense situation in the region. The democratic forces’ Operational Headquarters has already released the action plan […]
February 22, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Belarus Business Harbour in Baltics Forum, February 22
“Dear forum guests, dear friends, I am grateful to be here with you today. First of all, I would like to praise the organizers of this timely and important event – Association of Belarusian Business Abroad. You are doing an incredible job – you unite businesses, but you also unite people. It’s your second such […]
February 22, 2022
Tsikhanouskaya, Latushka: Whatever step against Belarusian sovereignty will entail the most serious consequences
On February 21, it was announced that Russian troops will not leave the territory of Belarus until “an objective need arises”. So who decides on this need now? There is absolutely no “objective need” for foreign troops on the Belarusian territory, and that is the opinion of Belarusians. Lukashenka is the major reason why Belarus’ […]
February 21, 2022
Position of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on the consequences of any actions against the sovereignty of Belarus
Despite all the regime's assurances, after February 20, Russian troops will not be withdrawn from Belarus. This means that Belarusians have been deceived all this time, and Lukashenka has lost his independence in decision-making. After all, because of him, Belarus is losing its identity, and Belarusians are losing control over their own country. The presence […]
February 20, 2022
Results of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s second day at the Munich Security Conference
On the morning of February 19, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the discussion on strengthening democracies. Among other speakers were Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. In her address, leader of democratic Belarus outlined the necessary pillars in the struggle against dictatorships: 1) putting […]
February 20, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the high-level discussion on Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference
«Mr President, Honorable guests. First of all, on behalf of the Belarus people, let me express our solidarity with your nation in a crucial historical moment for all of us. Answering the question, I must say that the fate of Belarus today depends on the fate of Ukraine, and vice versa. Our extremely close and […]
February 19, 2022
US Senators met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to pledge unconditional support for Belarusians
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for more resolute actions against the regime. “In the midst of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, we must keep Belarus in sight. Terrible things are happening in our country, unprecedented terror continues, and the regime has begun to trade in sovereignty as Lukashenka's last-ditch effort to stay in power”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
February 19, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working meetings on the first day of the Munich Security Conference
On February 18, the Munich Security Conference has started, with representatives of more than 30 countries taking part. Within the conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a number of meetings. – Meeting with President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović. The President noted that he was pleased to meet and closely follows Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's work. Montenegro has joined the […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and Secretary Blinken discussed the international response to the regime's actions. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the human rights situation is deteriorating, the repressions are intensifying, and the regime has started to trade Belarusian sovereignty. Lukashenka has lost his independence and is ready to return nuclear weapons to the country. Belarus is critical to […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a working meeting with Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Vitaliy Klitschko for placing a large white-red-white flag on the city hall. She added that Ukrainians, as nobody else, understand the importance of international solidarity during hard times. At the meeting, Tsikhanouskaya and Klitschko discussed assistance to the Belarusian diaspora in Kyiv and support for Belarusian media and human rights defenders based […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings at the Munich Security Conference
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held the first meeting on the sideline of the Munich Security Conference – with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. In her visits, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya often presents symbolic gifts to politicians, diplomats, and supporters of Belarusianы, and these gifts show the talent and national character of Belarusians. She gave Ylva Johansson a […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania
On February 16, in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusians of Lithuania and representatives of Belarusian organizations. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor and Head of the Internal Policy Department Alexander Dabravolski, Head of the Cabinet, Representative on Foreign Affairs Valery Kavaleuski, joined the meeting, and Head of Public Outreach Alexandra Logvinova moderated it. The diaspora and […]
February 16, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The EU will allocate the same amount to our country under the EU Plan for Democratic Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development refused to provide 3.5 billion dollars to the regime. Let me remind you that the EU is to allocate the same amount to our country under the EU Plan for Democratic Belarus. And instead of financing the repressive apparatus or premiums for the former president’s […]
February 16, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the ceremony of raising the Baltic States’ flags
On February 16, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the ceremony of raising the Baltic States’ flags in Vilnius at the invitation of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. The ceremony was joined by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Speaker of the Seimas Viktoria Čmilytė-Nielsen, Lithuanian politicians, and the diplomatic corps. On February 16, 1918, in Vilnius, the Lithuanian […]
February 16, 2022
Digest of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on Education and Science, February 2022 / Issue 2
Download the digest on education and science here. Repressions – On February 4, philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich, who has been under arrest for more than six months on charges of “organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order“ (part 1 of article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus), started a hunger […]
February 15, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office addressed Belarusians in Ukraine and those planning to visit Ukraine
In view of possible Russian military actions, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office recommends Belarusians who are in Ukraine or are considering a visit to Ukraine to: – temporarily abstain from traveling to Ukraine. Numerous cases of Belarusians detained at frontier posts and airports have been reported. Unfortunately, the Office cannot influence the decisions of the Border Guard […]
February 15, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Rector of EHU
On February 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Rector of the European Humanities University, Prof. Sergei Ignatov. She congratulated the university on its 30th anniversary and noted the importance of EHU in educating professionals for the new Belarus and supporting civil society. Belarusian leader emphasized that many prominent people in politics, culture, and business are EHU […]
February 14, 2022
Outcomes of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s first public phone-in with Belarusians
On Friday, February 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced a public phone-in with Belarusians. Anyone could register for the online meeting, and more than a hundred people applied in a couple of hours. The registration is temporarily suspended, but the Office will publish the registration link as soon as it opens again. Belarusians of all ages, people […]
February 13, 2022
Position of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on additional procedures for Belarusians at Ukrainian frontiers posts
Today, we saw reports that Belarusians are intensively verified, inspected, and interrogated when crossing the Ukrainian border. We received confirmation that control measures for entry into Ukraine have now been strengthened due to military exercises involving Russian troops that are taking place in Belarus. The Office emphasizes that the regime's actions are the reason why […]
February 11, 2022
Belarus’ integration with Russia: assessing the challenges for the country. Analytics
The OST Research Centre, together with the Oxford Belarus Observatory and the GCRF COMPASS Project, based on a discussion on 3 February 2022 issued a policy brief “Belarus’ integration with Russia: assessing the challenges for the country”. The full text is available below. Download the analytics document here.
February 11, 2022
What ordinary Belarusians told Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the open call forum, where the topics were prices, salaries, and welfare
On Wednesday, February 9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her Representative on Economic Reforms Aleś Alaсhnovič held an open call forum to discuss: “Prices, salaries, and welfare of Belarusians.” Here is what ordinary Belarusians shаred with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya. On price increases “The availability of European products in stores has significantly decreased. Instead, there are more Russian products, […]
February 11, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated at the Denver Summit for Democracy, February 10
Yesterday, February 10th, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated at the Denver Summit for Democracy together with Nobel Laureat Maria Ressa, US Senator Michael Bennet, and President of NED Damon Wilson. University of Colorado, the organizers of the event, devoted it to assesing the state of democracy worldwide. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a panel “Democratic Resistance: A Global Perspective” […]
February 11, 2022
“Belarus Business Harbour in Baltics” Forum will be held in Vilnius on February 22-23
On February 22-23, in Vilnius, the “Belarus Business Harbour in Baltics” forum will be held under the patronage of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The forum is organized by the Association of Belarusian Businesses Abroad (ABBA) in General Partnership with the European Humanities University (EHU). The large-scale event will take place in the historic EHU building in the […]
February 11, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with Belarusian media
On the occasion of the Day of Solidarity with Belarus dedicated to free media, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with representatives of independent media and channels. They discussed the work of journalists, bloggers, media representatives in the current situation. The participants of the meeting spoke in detail about the challenges of working with the Belarusian […]
February 09, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received with EU Ambassador Schuebel and Polish Ambassador Michalski
On February 8, 2022, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with EU Ambassador Dirk Schuebel and Polish Ambassador Artur Michalski at her office. The regime expelled the diplomats from Minsk for their principled and firm position on the situation in Belarus. During the meeting, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya: – thanked the ambassadors for refusing to recognize Lukashenka’s regime […]
February 08, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a call with Belarusians regarding healthcare
On Wednesday, February 2, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held an open call with Belarusians regarding the state of the healthcare system in the country. Registration on Zoom was open, anyone could join. Belarusians, both patients and doctors, shared the following observations: Many hoped that EU-approved vaccines would be delivered to Belarus. Because of the regime, they were […]
February 05, 2022