Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 28 political prisoners on Independence Day, citing humanitarian grounds, as part of efforts to improve relations with the West. Despite this, Belarus still holds 864 political prisoners, including 21 journalists, according to the Viasna human rights center, with the UN and opposition leaders noting ongoing repression and lack of human rights progress.

Franak Viacorka, adviser to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, discusses potential roles of individuals within Alexander Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus’s democratization, the sentiment of Belarusian military personnel, and preparations by Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin for a potential conflict with NATO.

Frantsishak Viachorka, an adviser to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, stated the Lukashenko regime with Vladimir Putin’s support is preparing for offensive warfare along Belarus’s western borders, including with Ukraine, and questioned if escalation is imminent.

Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to strengthen ties between Ukraine and Belarusian democratic forces. The discussion focused on countering Russian threats, isolating Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, and addressing issues like border security, Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine, and political prisoners.

President Zelensky met Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Kyiv during a 24-nation summit, warning that Russia is deepening Belarus's involvement in the Ukraine war. Tsikhanouskaya asserted that Belarus remains under Moscow's control through Alexander Lukashenko, dismissing Western diplomatic pressure as ineffective.

Belarusian democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made her first official visit to Kyiv, where she held a joint press conference with Ukrainian officials to outline future plans and establish a new format for bilateral relations.

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kyiv amid Ukrainian warnings of Russian plans to involve Belarus more in the war. The visit followed a major Russian strike on Kyiv that killed four and damaged historical sites, with further attacks threatened.

World leaders monitor Belarus for potential military support to Russia in Ukraine as joint nuclear drills and Zelenskyy's warnings escalate tensions. Macron's call with Lukashenko highlights concerns over Belarus becoming a Russian invasion launchpad.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya accused President Alexander Lukashenko of enabling Russia’s attack on Kyiv by allowing Belarusian territory to be used for missile launches and weapons deployment. She emphasized Belarusians’ solidarity with Ukraine, stating they 'feel this pain as our own.'

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Kyiv at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks and to attend a summit on Ukraine’s reconstruction. She also honored Belarusian activist Maria Zaitseva, emphasizing shared resistance to authoritarianism and Russia’s war.

Ukraine's foreign minister Andriy Sybiha announced that Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya may soon visit Ukraine. Sybiha dismissed Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's recent remarks about a possible meeting with President Zelensky, stating there are no diplomatic contacts between the countries.