"I'm going to be inspired by Ukrainians." Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began an official visit to Ukraine

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at Przemyśl railway station before departing for Kyiv. Photos here and further: "Nasha Niva"

Today, May 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her first official visit to Ukraine. In the coming days, on the sidelines of the IV International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv, she plans to meet with the leadership of Ukraine, volunteers, and representatives of Belarusian organizations. The discussions will center on cooperation between Ukraine and Belarusian democratic forces, regional security, the threat of new escalation, and how to prevent Belarus from being drawn further into the war.

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Tsikhanouskaya and her advisor Dzianis Kuchynski. Franak Viacorka and Pavel Latushka also arrived in Ukraine.

In a comment to "Nasha Niva", Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says that she is going to Kyiv not only with a political agenda but also with a personal feeling of gratitude and a need "to be energized by victory."

— I'm going with very positive thoughts, — says Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. — Of course, I understand that there is a war in Ukraine, and the previous night, when Russia shelled Kyiv, adds more anxiety. But understanding that Ukraine lives under such attacks every day, every night, I go first and foremost to be inspired. To be inspired by Ukrainians, by their willpower, strength, and resilience. And to be energized by this energy of victory.

According to her, a new stage has now begun in relations between Kyiv and Belarusian democratic forces.

— I go with great gratitude. First of all, for this visit taking place, and for Ukraine's attitude towards Belarusian democratic forces having changed for the better. And I am confident that the Ukrainian side understands: we have a common enemy, and we need to unite our efforts to fight it.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasizes: despite the fact that Belarusian democratic forces are currently "people without a country," they can still be useful to Ukraine.

— We have something to offer. These are our wonderful Belarusians who can help both with information — by collecting information inside the country. Our media should also cooperate with Ukrainian media to better understand each other, to explain what is happening in our countries. And, of course, to develop a common vision, a common strategy, on how to prevent Belarus from being drawn into the war. Because we see what is happening in Ukraine: everything looks like preparation for escalation.

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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is well-known in Ukraine. Ukrainian railway employees asked for a joint photo.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya specifically noted that she also wants to hear the Ukrainian vision of the role of Belarusians in confronting Russia.

— It is very important for us to understand how Ukrainians see our role. Because Belarusians continue their work anyway — both informational and on the ground, albeit underground. And, perhaps, Ukrainians have a broader vision, given their experience, on how to resist the enemy.

During the visit, Tsikhanouskaya also plans to meet with Belarusians living in Ukraine under shelling, and to visit memorial sites for Belarusian volunteers who died in the war against Russia.

— A very important point is to meet with Belarusians who, like Ukrainians, live under bombardment and are forced to overcome a number of bureaucratic problems with legalization. Our volunteers, our self-organized fighters are also in a very uncertain state. And I would like to visit important places for Belarusians — the graves of our fallen heroes, those who died after the start of the full-scale war, and in 2014. We must not forget that the war began not on February 24, 2022, but much earlier.

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Tsikhanouskaya names the creation of permanent mechanisms for cooperation between Ukraine and Belarusian democratic structures as one of the main political tasks of the visit.

— To build more trusting and close cooperation with the Ukrainian side, we need to institutionalize this cooperation. We would like an interdepartmental group to be created that would work specifically on Belarus. I hope that a special representative for Belarus will be appointed. The mission of democratic forces, I hope, will become a permanent part of the work. And it is very important that Belarusian organizations in Ukraine participate in this cooperation.

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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's personalized ticket. "Free Kyiv — Free Minsk" is the route written on it.

According to her, in recent years, a lot of mutual unspokenness has accumulated between some Belarusian structures and the Ukrainian side, partly because people simply lacked personal communication.

— We want unity. I understand that there are different opinions, including about the Office. People simply didn't communicate much with each other. When you work in Ukraine, where there is a war, where people live under bombardment, it can sometimes seem that nothing is being done at the political level. But that's not true. And our task is to see and hear each other. Because until you hug a person, see them, feel them — that can also hinder closer communication.

Tsikhanouskaya's schedule also includes meetings with Belarusian fighters, including representatives of the Kalinouski Regiment.

— I also want to meet with our active fighters, from the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and other units, to get a sense of them. We have a very tight schedule for this visit. But once the first official visit takes place, then it will be possible to visit more often. I would really like to visit other cities: Bucha, Kharkiv, Odesa. Doors are now opening for us. And this, of course, is a great inspiration for Belarusians in Belarus too.

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On the train before departing for Kyiv. Sviatlana is talking via video call.

Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's visit on May 22, essentially confirming that Kyiv is ready to conduct dialogue on the Belarusian issue specifically with the democratic forces of Belarus, and not with Aliaksandr Lukashenka's regime.

Sybiha's statement came against the backdrop of Lukashenka's repeated words about his readiness to meet with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Kyiv reacted quite harshly.

"We have someone to talk to on all issues concerning Belarus," the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said, announcing Tsikhanouskaya's arrival.

Details of the visit program are not yet disclosed for security reasons.

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In recent weeks, there has also been public contact between Tsikhanouskaya's office and the Ukrainian leadership. After massive Russian strikes on Kyiv, Tsikhanouskaya expressed support for Ukraine, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked her for her solidarity.

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Photo: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's press service

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Tsikhanouskaya was met at the station by Yaroslav Chornohor, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's press service.

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Photo: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's press service

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Photo: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's press service

For Tsikhanouskaya, this will be the first visit to Ukraine after a long period of cold and cautious relations between Kyiv and Belarusian democratic forces following the start of the full-scale war. Now, however, the Ukrainian authorities are increasingly openly emphasizing that they view Belarus as a country that can return to the European space in the future.

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