At the New Belarus Conference 2024, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced new appointments to the United Transitional Cabinet:
“Dear friends, before we move on to the Q&A session, I would like to make a few announcements. It has been two years since we established the United Transitional Cabinet. Primarily, this was a response to the war that the Lukashenka regime dragged Belarus into. We needed an institution to represent Belarusians and defend their interests instead of trading sovereignty with an aggressor country.
During this time, the United Transitional Cabinet has undergone significant changes and faced various challenges. New people joined, while some others left. But each and every one of them contributed to our common cause.
I would like to once again thank Valery Kavaleuski and Valery Sakhashchyk for their work. It was an honor to work with you. Our paths have not diverged – I hope we will continue to cooperate in a different format because we share the same goal – a new, free Belarus.
Today, I would like to announce new appointments to the United Transitional Cabinet. Some will be now, and more, I hope, will come in the fall:
- I nominate Vadzim Kabanchuk as the Representative for Defense and National Security. Mr. Kabanchuk has excelled in the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, where he defended the honor of Belarus. He has experience and authority within the military and good relations with Ukraine.
- For the Representative for International and European Cooperation, I nominate Vladzimir Astapenka. This role will replace the position of Representative for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Astapenka will hold both his new position and the position of Head of Mission in Brussels.
- For the Representative for Youth and Student Affairs, I nominate Marharyta Vorykhava. Marharyta is a member of the Coordination Council and one of the leaders of the Belarusian youth community. Her task will be to represent and defend the interests of youth both in Belarus and abroad.
I also approved Pavel Latushka’s proposal to appoint Artsiom Brukhan as Deputy Representative for the Transfer of Power. Mr. Brukhan has performed excellently during his work at the National Anti-Crisis Management, has experience in public service, and is an excellent communicator and organizer.
Pavel Latushka, Alina Koushyk, Volha Harbunova, and their deputies will continue their work in the Cabinet. I am grateful to each of you for your support and cooperation in these challenging times for all of us.
I hope that in the near future, the Coordination Council will hold hearings involving the new representatives and provide recommendations for their appointments, so that the Cabinet can fully start its work with new members.
I also ask the Coordination Council to recommend candidates for the vacant positions, particularly for Representative for Economy and Finance, Representative for Restoring Legality and Law and Order, and Representative for Mobility and Migration Issues. This will allow us to more effectively address the problems faced by Belarusians both within the country and in exile.
I hope that the changes in the United Transitional Cabinet will increase its efficiency and, most importantly, its relevance to Belarusians. The Cabinet must respond to the demands of Belarusian society and defend Belarusian interests. I am confident that this will be the case.
And now, I would like to invite my colleagues from the Cabinet and advisors to the stage so that we can answer your questions together”.
