Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Tallinn today, where she met with the President of Estonia, Alar Karis. The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere, with President Karis expressing his solidarity with the Belarusian people.
Key topics of the meeting included:
- the military and political situation in Belarus, the Lukashenka regime’s dependence on Russia, and its involvement in the war against Ukraine;
- the releases of political prisoners, including the humanitarian efforts of the United States and the Holy See;
- provocations at the border and the hybrid threats the regime poses to its neighbors;
- possible steps the international community can take to pressure the regime to stop repression and hostile actions against Belarusians and neighbouring countries.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya briefed President Karis on the work of the democratic forces with the European Union: support for independent media, civil society, cultural initiatives, and efforts to address Belarusians’ issues with documentation and legal stay. They also discussed Belarus–Ukraine relations and ways to strengthen pro-European sentiment within Belarusian society.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Estonia for appointing the Special Representative to the Democratic Forces of Belarus, supporting Belarusian initiatives, opening the Representation of Democratic Belarus in Tallinn, maintaining a principled position on international platforms, and providing continuous assistance to repressed Belarusians and those in exile. She also invited the President to visit the Democratic Belarus Representation in Tallinn.
President Alar Karis reaffirmed Estonia’s sustained support for the democratic forces and civil society of Belarus, as well as Belarusians’ European choice. The parties agreed to continue close cooperation in 2026 – particularly in the areas of international isolation of the regime, the release and support of political prisoners, and security in the region.
