KOŚCIUSZKO FORUM
On February 3–4, the Kościuszko Forum took place in Gdańsk, Poland, organized by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of Poland’s EU Council Presidency. The event gathered foreign ministers from Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Ukraine, along with diplomats from over 15 countries. The forum was opened by Radosław Sikorski and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who called on the international community to continue supporting Belarusian civil society, independent media, and political prisoners. The discussions emphasized the need for maintaining Belarus’s ties with Europe and preventing its isolation. The forum featured political and expert discussions and is expected to become a permanent platform.
View photos from the event on Flickr.
VISIT TO ALBANIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made a working visit to Albania to participate in the Pact of Free Cities Summit. She held meetings with the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, Speaker of Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, and Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj. Agreements were reached on student scholarships, rehabilitation programs for political prisoners’ children, internships in the parliament and mayor’s office, and cooperation memorandums with the Albanian Parliament and the Pact of Free Cities. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya was honored with a symbolic key to the city of Tirana and was invited to the European Political Community Summit in May.
View photos of the visit on Flickr.
EVACUATION OF PALINA SHARENDA-PANASYUK
Former political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasyuk left Belarus after being released on February 1. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed her to freedom and safety. Earlier, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, had taken honorary patronage over Palina’s case.
FUNERAL OF MARYIA ZAITSAVA
The funeral of Belarusian volunteer fighter Maryia Zaitsava, who died in combat defending Ukraine, took place in Kyiv. Maryia participated in the 2020 protests in Minsk before joining the International Legion in Ukraine to fight against Russian aggression. She had requested to be buried rather than cremated, and this wish was fulfilled thanks to coordination between the democratic forces of Belarus and the authorities of Ukraine. The ceremony was attended by her comrades, diplomats, and friends.
AID FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office continues negotiations with governments and the European Union to secure additional aid for independent Belarusian media, civil society, and human rights defenders, following the suspension of the United States funding.
700 DAYS OF SIARHEI TSIKHANOUSKI’S INCOMMUNICADO DETENTION
February 6 marked 700 days of Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s incommunicado detention. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am convinced that he feels our support. That his inner strength remains with him. And even in this time of complete isolation, he gives me strength too. We will not stop until Siarhei and all political prisoners are free”.
OUTCOMES OF THE SHAM PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN BELARUS
On January 26, 2025, a so-called “election” was held in Belarus, which was merely a staged event to maintain Lukashenka’s power. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of prominent solidarity rallies and international events that were held in response to the illegitimate campaign.
BELARUS’ ECONOMIC SITUATION
In an interview with RFE/RL’s Belarusian service, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms, Aleś Alachnovič, explained why Georgia, Armenia, and Moldova have outpaced Belarus in several key economic indicators in recent years.
MONTHLY RECAP
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released the monthly recap for January 2025, summarizing key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian democratic community activists and NGOs.
MEDIA
This week, the following media outlets released Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interviews and coverage of Belarus: Repubblica (Italy), AFP (International), BBC (International), YouTube-channel Jirka vysvětluje věci (Czech Republic), Euronews (Albania), BBC Radio 4 (International), Euronews (Albania), Interia (Poland), Euronews (Albania), Repubblica (Italy), and Nerikes Allehanda (Sweden).
