RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
On June 21, Siarhei Tsikhanouski and 13 other prisoners were released in Belarus. Among them were 5 Belarusians and citizens of Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Japan, and Sweden. All were evacuated to Lithuania, where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and ambassadors of the respective countries greeted them.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked President Trump and the United States administration for their efforts, as well as the European Union and all countries that advocated for the release. She stressed that the fight must continue for the remaining 1,150 people still imprisoned.
The release followed a visit to Minsk by US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg. The democratic forces of Belarus are coordinating with the United States and other countries on the issue of political prisoners.
📰 Read interviews with Sviatlana and Siarhei Tsikhanouski by Reuters, Politico, Euronews, Washington Post, Le Monde, ABC News, BBC, Independent, New York Times, Financial Times, Deutsche Welle, Kyiv Independent, Al Jazeera, CNN, LRT, The Times, and Washington Post – Opinion.
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
On June 22, Sviatlana and Siarhei Tsikhanouski held a joint press conference in Vilnius – their first public appearance together in five years. Released political prisoners Ihar Karnei, Natallia Dulina, Siarhei Sheleh, and Kiryl Balakhonau also took part.
Siarhei spoke about his five years of isolation and how his daughter did not recognize him. He voiced strong support for Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, named Putin’s Russia as the common enemy, and emphasized the need for continued pressure on the regime. He thanked President Trump, Presidents Duda and Nausėda, Prime Minister Tusk, Minister Sikorski, and President Ursula von der Leyen.
Mr. Tsikhanouski reaffirmed that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya remains the leader of the democratic movement, while he will focus on media and information work. He urged Belarusians to keep up the struggle.
🎥 Watch the full video or view the photos.
VISIT TO SWEDEN
On June 16–17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Stockholm to participate in the Women Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025. Members of her Office, including Marharyta Vorykhava, Kryścina Šyjanok, Stanislava Hlinik, and Franak Viacorka, also took part in the panels.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for European Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz, and announced a new women’s leadership program with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
The Belarusian leader also met with the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”, presented practical proposals to Swedish delegations to PACE and OSCE PA, joined a solidarity rally in support of Ukraine, and met with the Belarusian diaspora.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
On June 18, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) during its plenary session, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the EESC and the democratic forces of Belarus.
The cooperation will focus on support for workers and trade unions, independent media, and honest business. This is part of the continued formalization of relations with EU institutions. The democratic forces of Belarus have previously signed the Letter of Intent on Cooperation with the European Parliament, while also engaging with the European Commission and the European Council through the Consultative Group.
VISIT TO SPAIN
On June 19–20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Madrid, where she:
- Met with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares
- Addressed the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee
- Spoke at the Elcano Royal Institute
- Opened a photo exhibition
- Met with leaders of Venezuela’s democratic forces
During the visit, Spain announced that it has joined the International Humanitarian Fund, contributing €50,000 in support of repressed Belarusians.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Euronews (International), Fokus magazine (Sweden), Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), Radyio Ratsyia (Belarus), RTVE (Spain), Dag og Tid (Norway), Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), Council of Europe (International), New Union Post (International), LRT (Lithuania), Kyiv Independent (Ukraine, International).
