VISIT TO BRUSSELS
On June 17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Brussels with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Séamus Boland. The parties discussed the situation in Belarus, support for civil society, implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed last year between the EESC and the democratic forces of Belarus, and new mechanisms for institutional cooperation.
On June 18, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya addressed a plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee dedicated to the resilience of the European Union’s eastern border regions. The discussion focused on strengthening security, resilience, and development in countries along the EU’s eastern border. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for maintaining pressure on the regime until real systemic change takes place while continuing to support Belarusian civil society, independent media, culture, and educational programs. She also proposed deepening cooperation between the democratic forces of Belarus and the European Economic and Social Committee to prepare for future reforms and the country’s European integration.
During the visit, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Kaja Kallas and the EEAS for their principled and consistent support for Belarus, the country’s democratic forces, and civil society. She also called for continued support for Belarusian independent media, which help maintain connections with Belarusians inside the country, as well as for human rights defenders, repressed individuals, cultural figures, and democratic institutions. She further urged greater mobility opportunities for Belarusians and the continued issuance of Schengen visas to Belarusian citizens.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BELARUS
On June 18, the European Parliament adopted an urgent resolution by an overwhelming majority in response to the worsening situation of political prisoners in Belarus. Particular attention in the document is given to the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich, who was detained at the age of 16, accused of involvement in anti-war graffiti actions in the ‘Black Nightingales’ case, and sentenced to more than ten years in prison.
The European Parliament’s resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Aliaksandra Pulinovich and all political prisoners in Belarus, as well as their full rehabilitation and restoration of rights. MEPs condemn the Lukashenka regime’s use of “extremism” and “terrorism” charges to persecute citizens, including minors, and call for an end to torture, incommunicado detention, forced labor, and other forms of ill-treatment of prisoners.
BRIEFING FOR AMBASSADORS AND DIPLOMATS FROM 30 COUNTRIES
On June 16, at the Italian Embassy in Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing for ambassadors and diplomats from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the democratic forces’ plans, efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, sanctions, and support for independent media and civil society. The discussion focused on:
- next steps to secure the release of political prisoners;
- the outcomes of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s first visit to Ukraine and Belarus–Ukraine cooperation;
- continued pressure on the regime until repression ends and systemic changes begin in Belarus;
- increased access to Schengen visas and mobility programs for Belarusians;
- ways to hold the regime accountable through international courts;
- support for Belarusian independent media, civil society, and cultural initiatives;
- transnational repression and legal challenges faced by Belarusians in exile;
- preparations for a post-Lukashenka Belarus and possible scenarios for democratic change.
INTERNATIONAL KING ERIC OF POMERANIA AWARD
On June 15, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was awarded the International King Eric of Pomerania Award during the ceremony in Darłowo, Poland. The award was established in 2023 by the City of Darłowo and the King Eric of Pomerania Foundation. It is presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of democracy, peace, European unity, and cooperation between nations.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya received the award for her efforts to promote democratic change in Belarus and strengthen the country’s ties with the European community.
MEETING OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITALIAN REPRESENTATIVES
On June 18, the Deputy Secretary General of the Directorate General for Political Affairs and International Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Minister Plenipotentiary Antonino Claudio Cascio, held a meeting with the democratic forces and civil society organizations of Belarus.
The meeting took place at the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Vilnius and was organized and chaired by its Director, Dzianis Kuchynski. Participants included the Ambassador of Italy to Lithuania, Emanuele de Maigret, as well as representatives of the Belarusian Council for Culture, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Viasna Human Rights Center, the A Country to Live In Foundation, and former political prisoner Pavel Seviarynets.
The parties discussed Italy’s role in supporting a democratic Belarus, cooperation at the European level, and practical assistance for Belarusians in exile. Visa support was also addressed.
MEETING WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR OF THE POLISH PRIME MINISTER’S CHANCELLERY MAŁGORZATA ŁATKIEWICZ-PAWLAK
On June 19, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met in Warsaw with the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland, Małgorzata Łatkiewicz-Pawlak.
The meeting focused on international cooperation, support for Belarus’s democratic forces from Polish state institutions, and coordination with relevant ministries. Particular attention was paid to cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet and the democratic forces’ activities in Warsaw.
MEETING WITH FC PAHONIA
On June 17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of FC Pahonia in Warsaw. The meeting was attended by the club’s co-founder, Ilya Shyla, and Belarusian football player and international-class Master of Sports Vital Haiduchyk. The discussion focused on Belarusian sports in exile, the role of sports initiatives in bringing the Belarusian community together, and the current challenges facing the club.
STATEMENT ON THE THREAT OF BELARUS BEING DRAWN INTO THE WAR
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement amid renewed concerns over Belarus’s possible deeper involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine: “This week, the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Ukraine held a discussion where experts and representatives of BELPOL presented information on the militarization of Belarus and Russia’s plans to further draw our country into the war. These threats must not be ignored or underestimated — they should be treated with the utmost seriousness.
I know that Belarusians are against the war. That is why I appeal to each of you: take care of yourselves and do not allow yourselves to be dragged into someone else’s war. Do not give in to propaganda and do not believe the fear and hostility being imposed on you. Do not become instruments of someone else’s imperial ambitions — because that is not our choice.
Our shared task is to prevent Belarus from being fully drawn into the war. This is, above all, in the national interest of our country”.
MEDICAL WORKERS’ DAY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated healthcare professionals in Belarus on Medical Workers’ Day: “Being a doctor means serving others and finding the strength, day after day, to help people. The regime cannot understand that. But Belarusians do. Your work is of immense value, and your service to people deserves respect and support. Thank you, dear medical professionals”.
COMMENT ON THE RUSSIAN STRIKE ON KYIV
During the night of June 15, Russia launched another strike on Kyiv. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made a comment: “Those who claim to defend ‘spiritual values’ bring missiles and set holy sites on fire. This is the true face of the Russian empire. It must be stopped. Belarusians stand with Ukraine in this difficult time. Today, more than ever, we must remain united in defending freedom, truth, and everything that Russian aggression seeks to destroy”.
COMMENT ON THE TRAGEDY INVOLVING BELARUSIAN CHILDREN
On June 18, a bus carrying a Belarusian children’s football team in Russia’s Bryansk region was struck by a drone. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the tragedy: “My heart goes out to all those affected and to their families. The children, as well as the adults who were with them, are innocent victims. This war was started by Russia. Russia is the aggressor, and it bears primary responsibility for every death and every injury caused by this war”.
MEDIA
Respekt (the Czech Republic), Moravec (the Czech Republic), RTE (Ireland), Aktualne (the Czech Republic), BBC in Russian (International), BBC in Russian (International).
