Today, the “Path to Freedom” Forum is taking place in Kyiv, addressing regional security issues.
The forum focuses on key aspects of the struggle for the liberation of Belarus, threats posed by the Lukashenka regime, and the democratic forces’ cooperation with Ukraine and European partners.
Participants include Ukrainian and Western experts, Belarusian democratic forces, and Belarusian volunteers.
Discussion topics include:
- Belarus as a factor in regional security and possible scenarios through 2027;
- a new model of Ukraine–Belarus relations during wartime;
- Belarusian volunteer movement’s potential;
- the initiative to create a regional “Belarusian Ramstein” format.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the forum participants with a video message, wishing them a happy Freedom Day:
“Dear participants,
Ukrainians and Belarusians,
Welcome to the “Path to Freedom” Forum.
First of all, allow me to congratulate you on our national holiday — the 108th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic as an independent state.
Today, historians agree that Ukraine’s declaration of independence in January became a catalyst for Belarus’ declaration of independence. That is why it is symbolic that we are holding this forum on Freedom Day — the day Belarus appeared on the political map of Europe and the world.
I would like to thank the forum’s organizers — Ukrainian Prism — as well as the co-organizers: the International Renaissance Foundation and the United Transitional Cabinet.
I know that for many Belarusian participants, getting to this forum was a real challenge, but in the end, everything worked out.
I would also like to personally thank Yaroslav Chornogor, who has been advancing the Belarusian issue in Ukraine for many years. I would like to welcome Ambassador Ihor Kyzym, the experts — including Yevhen Mahda, who tirelessly keeps Belarus on Ukraine’s agenda — and, of course, representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Verkhovna Rada. Thank you to the members of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Group on the occasion of Freedom Day.
And of course, thank you to all Ukrainian soldiers who are bravely defending Ukraine today and to Belarusians who stand side by side with them. We are proud of the Belarusian volunteers fighting for Ukraine, some of whom have been doing so since 2014. My sincere gratitude to you. You are the pride and hope of our nation. And today, on this holiday, we remember all those who have sacrificed their lives. Eternal glory.
From the very first days, Belarusians have stood with Ukrainians. Protest rallies, sabotage of Russian troops, railway partisans, the “Belarusian Hajun”, volunteers, Points of Invincibility, and volunteer fighters — dozens of whom have given their lives for Ukraine. Today, the Belarusian diaspora donates more to support Ukraine than to Belarusian projects themselves.
Ukrainians see that Belarusians are not the same as the regime — that Belarusians stand with Ukraine, not with the aggressor. Together, we can preserve friendly relations between our nations. We share one enemy — the “Russian world”, Russian imperialism. And we share one goal: a free, democratic, European future.
Today, we all look to Ukraine with great hope — as a regional leader on whom Belarus’ future also depends. I am glad that our relations with Ukraine are strengthening. At my recent meeting with President Zelenskyy, we agreed to continue our cooperation. I hope that in the near future, I will be able to visit Kyiv and express our support in person. I also hope that Ukraine will appoint a special envoy for Belarus — this would strengthen our bilateral relations.
We will soon open an office of the Democratic Belarus Mission in Kyiv. Our representative, Sviatlana Shatsilina, is already building relations with the Ukrainian authorities. And Vadzim Kabanchuk, the Cabinet’s Representative for Security, is working on opportunities for military and political cooperation.
It is critically important that our cooperation be institutionalized and long-term.
There are many issues we need to address: support for Belarusian military formations in Ukraine, the status of Belarusian refugees, volunteers, veterans and their families, holding those responsible for war crimes against Ukrainian citizens accountable, and the participation of Belarusians in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. All of this will be discussed today at the forum and at future events.
Dear friends,
Today, we all understand that without a free and democratic Belarus, there will be no secure Ukraine. Just as without a free Ukraine, there will be no free Belarus.
The destinies of our countries are intertwined. We share 1,000 kilometers of border. And for Ukraine, a free, European Belarus is a vital necessity.
The path to freedom for Belarusians lies through Ukraine’s victory. So let us think together about how to bring it closer.
For our freedom and yours!
Glory to Ukraine!
Long Live Belarus!”
The forum was organized by the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, and the International Renaissance Foundation.
