Unified Front: Zelensky, Tsikhanouskaya Address Russian Threats and Lukashenko’s War Role
Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv during her first working visit to Ukraine, marking a major step in formalizing ties between Kyiv and Belarusian democratic forces. The meeting focused on countering Russian threats, isolating Alexander Luk
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Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, widely regarded by many Western governments as the real winner of Belarus’s disputed 2020 presidential election, met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv during her first working visit to Ukraine.
The meeting focused on Belarus-Ukraine cooperation, regional security and countering threats from Russia and Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.
The talks took place on the sidelines of the IV International Summit of Cities and Regions, where Zelensky jokingly referred to Lukashenko’s recent statement that he was ready to meet the Ukrainian president.
“It turned out quite interesting: Lukashenko said it, but Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya came instead,” Zelensky told attendees. “Glad to see you, Sviatlana.”
In a post on X following the meeting, Tsikhanouskaya thanked Zelensky for maintaining dialogue with Belarusian society and democratic forces, as well as for Ukraine’s support for Belarusians living in Ukraine, including refugees and volunteers fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
Lukashenko, often described as “Europe’s last dictator,” has ruled Belarus since July 1994, making him the longest-tenured ruler in the post-Soviet space. During his three decades in power, he has dismantled democratic checks and balances, removed presidential term limits, crushed independent media, and preserved the Soviet-era KGB as a tool of political control.
In a letter to Trump and Congress, president Zelensky on Wednesday said Ukraine has made major gains against Russian drones but urgently needs US anti-ballistic missiles.
After the disputed 2020 election, Lukashenko’s regime violently suppressed mass pro-democracy protests, jailed thousands of Belarusians, and forced opposition figures, including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, into exile.
Countering Russian interference
During their bilateral discussions, Zelensky and Tsikhanouskaya focused on the military and political situation in the region, including the need to prevent Belarus from being further drawn into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“We all support the Belarusian people’s aspiration to free themselves from Russian interference,” President Zelensky said.
He emphasized that Ukraine has never posed a threat to Belarus and expressed hope for a future defined by the “genuine independence” of both Ukraine and Belarus from Moscow.
The leaders also reviewed security measures along the shared Belarus-Ukraine border amid continuing threats from Moscow and the Lukashenko regime.
Ukraine names first envoy to Belarusian democratic forces
The visit also aimed to strengthen institutional ties between Ukraine and Belarusian democratic forces.
Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the appointment of Yaroslav Chornohor as Ukraine’s ambassador-at-large for cooperation with Belarusian democratic forces, calling it “an important step” toward systematic coordination between Kyiv and democratic Belarus.
On Tuesday, Belarusian democratic forces officially opened a mission in Kyiv aimed at strengthening cooperation with Ukraine and supporting Belarusians living in the country. The new office will coordinate work with Ukrainian institutions, support volunteers and deepen political dialogue between Ukraine and Belarusian opposition groups amid threats of invasion from Belarus under the Lukashenko administration.
The two sides explored creating a joint working coordination group to address legal challenges facing Belarusians in Ukraine, including documentation and residency status.
The visit also coincided with the opening of a new mission for Belarusian democratic forces in Kyiv, intended to streamline long-term cooperation with Ukraine.
Supporting volunteers and political prisoners
One of the key topics of the meeting was support for Belarusian volunteer fighters who have joined Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion. Earlier in her visit, Tsikhanouskaya honored fallen Belarusian volunteers at local memorials.
The leaders also discussed the situation of Belarusian prisoners of war who were captured while fighting for Ukraine, as well as possible efforts to secure the release of political prisoners unlawfully convicted by the Lukashenko regime for supporting Ukraine.
She called for sanctions pressure on Minsk to be maintained and strengthened until systemic political changes take place in Belarus.
The meeting marks a significant shift in Kyiv’s public diplomatic strategy toward Minsk. By formalizing ties with Tsikhanouskaya’s team, Ukraine signals a clear distinction between the Belarusian people and the Lukashenko regime, laying the groundwork for a post-war security architecture built on shared democratic values.
Sevinj Osmanqizi is a journalist covering US foreign policy, security, and geopolitics, with a focus on the broader post-Soviet space. She reports on Washington’s decision-making and its implications for Ukraine and regional stability.
