Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Speaker of the Czech Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, and addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Security of the Senate of the Czech Republic.
The discussion focused primarily on the situation in Belarus, Belarus–Ukraine relations, and a new phase of cooperation between Ukraine and the democratic forces of Belarus following Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s recent visit to Kyiv.
In her remarks, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and stressed that the futures of Belarus and Ukraine are inseparably linked.
She spoke about her meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials, noting that Ukraine is increasingly distinguishing between the Belarusian people and the Lukashenka regime and sees a democratic Belarus as a future partner.
During her meeting with Speaker Vystrčil, the parties discussed the regional security situation, threats posed by Russia and the Lukashenka regime, support for civil society, independent media, and pro-European sentiment within Belarusian society. They also explored possible scenarios for a post-Lukashenka Belarus and the Czech Republic’s role in preparing for democratic change.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya recalled that the Czech Senate had previously adopted a resolution recognizing the KGB and HUBAZiK (GUBOPiK) as organizations supporting terrorist activities and called for continued efforts to hold all those responsible for repression accountable.
Cooperation in education was also discussed. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya proposed expanding internship opportunities for young Belarusians in Czech public institutions, including the Senate. The parties agreed to work on launching such a program in the near future.
The discussion also covered the establishment of a “For a Democratic Belarus” Group in the Senate, institutional cooperation with the democratic forces of Belarus, and challenges faced by Belarusians in the Czech Republic, including issues related to legal status, documentation, education, and protection from transnational repression.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on the Czech Republic to support the International Criminal Court’s investigation into Lukashenka for crimes against humanity and to join international efforts to hold the regime accountable for its complicity in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Our work requires patience, institutions, unity, and a strong moral position. Yes, we do not currently have a state beneath our feet, but we do have a nation that wants freedom, supports Ukraine, and believes in a European future. Distinguish the Belarusian people from the regime, and Belarus from Russia. Belarusians have never had imperial ambitions”.
