On October 27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, in Dublin.
They discussed the situation in Belarus, support for Ukraine, the release of political prisoners, Belarus’s European future, and further cooperation with Ireland.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the ongoing repression and the Lukashenka regime’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. She informed Mr. Martin about the expanding cooperation between Belarus’s democratic forces and the Ukrainian leadership. They agreed that the Belarus factor must be addressed in future peace negotiations.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also spoke about Belarusian volunteers fighting alongside Ukraine’s Armed Forces and initiatives by Belarusian volunteers to support Ukrainians ahead of the cold winter, including a fundraising campaign for generators.
Prime Minister Martin and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya focused on freeing political prisoners and supporting people facing repression, including efforts by the US administration. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for continued work to secure the release of everyone imprisoned on political grounds while maintaining international pressure on the regime until real, systemic change takes place in Belarus.
Another key topic was Belarus’s European future. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted that it is vital for Belarusians to hear a clear message from EU leaders: Belarus is part of Europe, and its future lies within the European family. Micheál Martin expressed his readiness to support this position, including at the upcoming European Political Community Summit in Ireland.
They also discussed support for the Belarusian diaspora, the legal status of Belarusians in exile, and problems caused by expired passports and highlighted the need to support people subjected to repression and released political prisoners who have been forced into exile and need support as they start a new life.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Prime Minister Micheál Martin, the Irish Government, and the people of Ireland for their longstanding solidarity with and support for a democratic Belarus. She expressed gratitude for Ireland’s contribution to the International Humanitarian Fund that assists Belarusians subjected to repression and for keeping Belarus on the agenda of the Council of the EU during Ireland’s Presidency.
She also thanked Ireland for organizing the “Ireland–Belarus: National Cultural Identities” Conference and recognized the work of the Irish Embassy in Lithuania in supporting Belarusian culture, civil society, and joint educational initiatives.
