🇺🇦🇷🇺Ukraine vs Russia

Belarus Opposition Leader Arrives in Kyiv for Talks With Ukraine

Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Kyiv on Monday for her first-ever visit to Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelensky. She is expected to meet Ukrainian officials and take part in the International Summit of Cities and Regions focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction. Tsikhano

Kyiv Post

75

25 می 2026

3 min read

0 views

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Kyiv on Monday, marking her first visit to Ukraine.

Belarusian opposition outlet Dzerkalo reported that she traveled to Kyiv by special train. The visit was made at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

JOIN US ON TELEGRAM

Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.

Tsikhanouskaya was accompanied by a delegation that included advisers Franak Viacorka, Denys Kuchynskyi, and Anatoly Lebedko; Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavlo Latushka; Chief of Staff Valeriy Matskevich; and Social Affairs Representative Olga Zazulynska.

At Kyiv’s railway station, the delegation was met by Yaroslav Chornohor, Ambassador-at-Large at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.

During the visit, Tsikhanouskaya is expected to meet Ukraine’s leadership and take part in the International Summit of Cities and Regions, an annual event under the Presidential Congress of Local and Regional Authorities focused on mobilizing international support for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Zelensky first invited her to visit Ukraine during their meeting in Vilnius in January.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also recently confirmed her upcoming arrival, saying Kyiv “has someone to talk to on all issues regarding Belarus.”

Tsikhanouskaya said on X that she began her visit by paying tribute to Belarusian activist Maria Zaitseva, who died in Ukraine while fighting against Russia’s invasion.

Other Topics of Interest

Macron Warns Belarus Against Involvement in Ukraine War: Source

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko against becoming more deeply involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine during their first reported phone call since 2022. The conversation came after Belarus hosted joint nuclear drills with Russia and amid Ukrainian concerns over a possible new offensive from Belarusian territory. Macron also urged Minsk to improve ties with Europe.

“For me, Maria is a symbol of a new generation of Belarusians – people who understand that the freedom of Belarus and the freedom of Ukraine are inseparable,” she added.

In early May, Sybiha said he held talks with Tsikhanouskaya, warning that Russia is increasingly drawing Belarus into its war against Ukraine.

In a post on X, Sybiha said they discussed the evolving situation in Belarus and growing security risks linked to Moscow’s use of Belarusian territory, stressing that Belarus is being turned into a platform for aggression not only against Ukraine but also against Europe.

He said Belarusian citizens should not become hostages of the Lukashenko regime, which he held responsible for enabling Russian military activity, and added that Ukraine would continue engaging with democratic Belarusian forces and remains confident in a future free Belarus integrated into Europe.

The warning comes amid repeated Ukrainian statements that Russia is trying to deepen Belarus’s involvement in the war. Zelensky said earlier that Kyiv has recorded specific military activity on the Belarusian side of the border and is closely monitoring developments.

Ukrainian officials have also pointed to increased restrictions inside Belarus, including tighter internet controls, as well as reports of infrastructure development and military preparations near the Ukrainian border.

These developments are viewed in Kyiv as consistent with earlier patterns seen before Russia’s 2022 invasion launched through Belarusian territory.

Zelensky also previously warned that Russia is seeking to pull Belarus more directly into the conflict, with Ukrainian intelligence tracking increased coordination between Moscow and Minsk, including measures to expand mobilization capacity in Belarus.

Earlier, Lukashenko signed a decree allowing the conscription of reserve officers, expanding the country’s available manpower.