Today, June 2, Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, in London.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the United Kingdom for its consistent support for democratic Belarus, its non-recognition of the Lukashenka regime, and sanctions against regime representatives. She also highlighted the two rounds of Strategic Consultations held between the UK and the democratic forces of Belarus in 2025 and 2026, Belarus’s invitation to participate in the European Political Community Summit in 2024, and the UK’s support for Belarusian human rights and civil society initiatives. In 2024, the UK announced £2.5 million in support for Belarusian human rights and civil society organizations.
Topics discussed included:
- continued support for independent media and civil society;
- the release of and support for political prisoners;
- support for Ukraine and the role of democratic Belarus in European security;
- further Strategic Consultations between the United Kingdom and the democratic forces of Belarus;
- efforts to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its crimes, including in connection with the forced displacement of Ukrainian children and through international justice mechanisms;
- the current situation in Belarus and continued repression;
- coordination between UK and EU policies on Belarus, including sanctions;
- Belarus on the international agenda, including within the G7 and G20 (the UK will hold the G20 Presidency in 2027);
- the Lukashenka regime’s dependence on Russia.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that supporting democratic Belarus is important for the security of all of Europe, including the United Kingdom. She noted that Belarusian society remains pro-European and anti-war, and that independent media and civil society help people inside Belarus access truthful information and maintain ties with Europe.
She also highlighted Prime Minister Starmer’s role in establishing the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine. She emphasized that democratic Belarus is ready to contribute to international support for Ukraine, as Belarus’s future and Ukraine’s security are directly linked.
In addition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya encouraged the United Kingdom to consider joining the International Humanitarian Fund to support those affected by repression in Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am grateful to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the United Kingdom for their principled position on Belarus. We truly appreciate that London continues to support Belarusian society and does not recognize the legitimacy of the Lukashenka regime.
Supporting democratic Belarus is an investment in the security of all of Europe. Belarus must not remain in Russia’s shadow or become a bargaining chip in international negotiations. Belarusians want to live in a free, independent, and European country.
Today, it is vital that our partners continue backing political prisoners, independent media, civil society, and all those safeguarding Belarus’s European future”.
Picture by Simon Dawson
