VISIT TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
On June 10–11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to the Czech Republic, where she met with:
- Foreign Minister Petr Macinka. The discussions focused on visa issues, sanctions, international coordination on holding the Lukashenka regime accountable, and support for Belarusians in exile. Minister Macinka informed Ms. Tsikhanouskaya that the Czech Republic would issue visas to relatives of Belarusians residing in the country.
- President Petr Pavel at Prague Castle. The parties discussed the situation in Belarus, efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, support for Ukraine, sanctions, regional security threats, Russia’s growing influence in Belarus, and possible scenarios for Belarus after Lukashenka.
- Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Security, chaired by Pavel Fischer, and met with Czech senators. The discussions addressed support for the democratic forces of Belarus, aid for political prisoners, further cooperation with Ukraine, and preparations for a post-Lukashenka Belarus.
- Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mayor Svoboda for supporting the Belarusian community and participating in Freedom Day events. The parties discussed cooperation with Belarusian initiatives in Prague, the upcoming Congress of Belarusians of the Czech Republic, and ways to strengthen ties between Belarusian and Czech local communities.
- Belarusian NGOs in the Czech Republic. Discussions focused on support for Belarusians in exile, challenges related to legal status and documents, and Belarusian cultural and civic presence in the country.
Cultural events played an important role in the program. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya attended a preview of the exhibition “DATAS: The Data and the Sovereign” at the Rudolfinum Gallery, which featured works that explored digital control, surveillance, and the connections between Belarusian and Russian monitoring systems.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, Oto Klempíř, to visit the Matter of Art 2026 Biennale, where works by Belarusian artists Rufina Bazlova and Gleb Amankulov were exhibited.
The visit concluded with a discussion at the Václav Havel Library, attended by more than 120 participants, including diplomats, experts, representatives of international organizations, and members of the Belarusian diaspora. The discussion focused on political prisoners, Belarus–Ukraine relations, support for Belarusian culture, and Belarus’s European future.
MEETING WITH LITHUANIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER KĘSTUTIS BUDRYS
On June 12, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Vilnius hosted a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, and representatives of Belarusian civil society, the diaspora, independent media, businesses, and educational and religious initiatives operating in Lithuania. The meeting brought together 40 representatives from 35 Belarusian organizations.
The parties discussed:
- support for Belarusian civil society in Lithuania and its role in strengthening a democratic Belarus;
- visas and possible short-term visits for relatives of Belarusians living in Lithuania who cannot safely return to Belarus;
- support for Belarusian students and educational initiatives;
- the work of independent Belarusian media in Lithuania and issues related to residence permit renewals;
- support for Belarusian culture, artists, and cultural organizations;
- security, countering disinformation, and the role of the Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania;
- issues related to Belarusian children, education, and preserving ties to the Belarusian language and culture;
- support for political prisoners, former political prisoners, and repressed Belarusians;
- public rhetoric regarding Belarusians in Lithuania and dialogue between societies.
DZIANIS KUCHYNSKI’S VISIT TO FRANCE
On June 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, visited Paris to hold a series of meetings with senior officials from the President’s administration at the Élysée Palace, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the National Assembly.
Mr. Kuchynski met with:
- Bertrand Buchwalter, Advisor to President Emmanuel Macron on Continental Europe and Türkiye;
- Brice Roquefeuil, Head of the Directorate for Continental Europe at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs;
- Patrick Renard, Advisor on Consular Affairs, Continental Europe, and the Balkans in the Cabinet of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot;
- Frédéric Petit, Head of the Parliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” in the National Assembly.
The meetings focused on Belarus–France relations, the current situation in Belarus, the regional context, and coordination of efforts in response to the ongoing political and security crisis in the region.
“DEPATRIATION” EXHIBITION
On June 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the new exhibition “Depatriation” at the Free Belarus Museum in Warsaw, dedicated to the memory of the Belarusian protests, solidarity, and resistance.
Speaking at the opening, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need to preserve the memory of recent events and thanked everyone who continues to work for the benefit of Belarus despite exile, persecution, and pressure. She noted that projects like this help maintain connections among Belarusians and serve as a reminder of what the struggle for freedom is about.
AMBASSADORS’ CUP 2026 INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
On June 13, the Democratic Belarus team took first place in the Ambassadors’ Cup 2026, an international charity football tournament in Vilnius. The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was represented on the Belarusian team by its Director, Dzianis Kuchynski. The Democratic Belarus team faced the team of the Office of the President of Lithuania, including President Gitanas Nausėda himself.
MEDIA
Times News (the UK), BBC News (the UK), Reuters (International), The Times (the UK), ČT24 (the Czech Republic), Seznam Zpravy (the Czech Republic), Rozhlas (the Czech Republic), NEXT TV MOLDOVA (Moldova), BBC in Russian (International).
