Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to the United States by participating in the Sedona Forum, hosted annually by the McCain Institute. The forum brings together global leaders to discuss major challenges to democracy, human rights, and security.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke on a panel dedicated to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, shifts in European security, and the role of the United States under the new administration. She emphasized that a ceasefire without justice will only embolden Putin and increase the threat to Belarus and the region.
Below are the highlights of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address:
📌 Peace is not merely the absence of war: “Peace must be just and sustainable. It must not become a pause that allows Putin to regroup and strike again in a few years against Belarus, Europe, or Ukraine. Neither Putin nor Lukashenka want real peace. War fuels their regimes. They just want to deceive you. Dictators cannot be trusted. That’s why it’s crucial that any negotiations or peace initiatives happen on Ukraine’s terms”.
📌 Russia must not be allowed to restore its sphere of influence: “If these negotiations strengthen Putin and Russia’s positions, they will continue their repression against the democratic world: against Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, and the entire region. It is entirely possible that they may strike Europe or America’s closest allies in the future. That’s why it’s important for the United States to remain consistent and principled”.
📌 Belarus could become a launchpad for future attacks: “We already see Belarusian territory being used to blackmail our western neighbors, with nuclear weapons deployed, and military drills held – the same that, last time, ended with the war in Ukraine. That is why we ask you to stand with the Belarusian people and stand with Ukrainians. We are on the front lines in this fight against dictatorship”.
