NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE
The New Belarus Conference 2025 took place in Warsaw on August 9–10, organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet. It brought together over 400 representatives of Belarusian civil society organizations and political bodies, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists. The events emphasized the unity of democratic forces and outlined strategic priorities for their work.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced new appointments within the United Transitional Cabinet, including Representatives for Economy and Finance, National Revival, and a new Head of Mission in Kyiv. She announced the launch of the Belarusian Community Center in Florence and the Democratic Belarus Mission in Madrid and presented awards to the people who have made significant contributions to the Belarusian cause.
9 resolutions were adopted following the Conference, addressing important issues such as political strategy, the release of political prisoners, national security, justice, protection of freedoms, countering hybrid external aggression, national identity, European integration, and youth engagement.
New sociological data were presented, obtained by the Center for New Ideas and Henadz Korshunau. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered opening and closing remarks.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTS
On August 9, solidarity events were held in 26 cities around the world honoring the fifth anniversary of the 2020 protests in Belarus. On the eve of the anniversary, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians, describing how solidarity has become an integral part of the community and how everyone can help, even through simple actions.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya herself, together with her husband, joined the Freedom March in Warsaw, which was co-organized by her Office. She gave a speech to thank Belarusians and express her pride in them. She also called for preparing for a new window of opportunities and preserving unity in the fight for a free and independent Belarus. After the events, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Belarusians for their activity and unity during the solidarity actions.
View photos from Warsaw on Flickr.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, spoke at the Solidarity Day with Belarus in Gdańsk.
Heads of state, prominent global politicians, several foreign ministries, and European institutions issued statements of solidarity with Belarusians on the anniversary of the protests. Among those who voiced their support for Belarusians were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, and numerous other countries.
CALL WITH MARTA KOS
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Belarus protests, the European Commission Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, held a call with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski. Ms. Kos reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering support for the democratic forces of Belarus. The EU will continue assistance for independent media, human rights defenders, the repressed, and civil society.
CABINET HEARINGS IN THE COORDINATION COUNCIL
On August 7–8, hearings were held in the Coordination Council with representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the hearings, while Cabinet members reported on their year of work. Following the hearings, by majority vote, the work of all representatives was approved, and they will all continue their work.
NEW BELARUS TRANSITION
The democratic forces presented the comprehensive New Belarus Transition Strategy and draft key laws that will form the basis of the country’s transformation after the transition of power.
SUMMARIES OF FIVE YEARS OF WORK
The democratic forces summed up the results of their work since 2020 in the main areas: legal, international, and youth work.
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Women’s Breakfast in Warsaw on August 10. The event brought together Belarusian women involved in social and political activities. The discussion covered the role of women in politics, economic and social challenges, feminism, and joint work for the future of Belarus. The event was organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic.
SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA ON LITHUANIAN RADIO
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya went live on Lithuanian National Radio, answering listeners’ questions, both from calls and pre-submitted. Topics included the situation of Belarusians in Lithuania, discussions around Litvinism, the use of the Lithuanian language, and plans of the democratic forces.
KGB THREATS IN EXILE
According to the Lithuanian State Security Department, the KGB of Belarus has intensified recruitment of Belarusian citizens in Lithuania, Poland, Georgia, and other countries. They use social networks and messengers to offer money, passports, and the opportunity to safely return to Belarus in exchange for information. Those who refuse face threats and pressure against themselves and their relatives living in Belarus. The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya provided practical advice on how to respond if approached by the regime for recruitment.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KAROL NAWROCKI
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Karol Nawrocki on assuming the office of President of the Republic of Poland.
EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO ALES PUSHKIN
On August 6, Belarusian artist and political prisoner Ales Pushkin would have turned 60. He was tortured to death in prison in 2023. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released an address: “The artist left behind a living creative legacy and a presence that deeply resonates in our cultural memory”. The exhibition “Stay/Zostać” opened in Warsaw, dedicated to Ales and the values he carried through his art.
PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, met with the PACE General Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus, Ryszard Petru. They discussed plans for the upcoming political season and 2026, including the Belarusian issue on the Assembly’s agenda, a joint forum with the Polish Sejm on migration-related issues, mobility, political prisoners, education, and security.
Mr. Liabedzka also met with Tomas Tomilinas of the “For Lithuania” political group in the Lithuanian Seimas. They discussed a possible conference on Belarus in 2027 during Lithuania’s EU Presidency, integration of Belarusians in Lithuania, the exhibition for Ales Bialiatski’s birthday, and the campaign of symbolic godparenthood for political prisoners.
MEDIA
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Belsat (Belarus), Obychnoye Utro (Belarus), Zerkalo (Belarus), Foreign Affairs (International), LRT (Lithuania), Libération (Францыя), Le Devoir (Canada), Polskie Radio 24 (Poland), PAP (Poland), BBC in Russian, RFI — Radio France, Pozirk (Belarus), Zerkalo (Belarus), and Nasha Niva (Belarus).
