Ukrainian foreign ministry expects Tsikhanouskaya, referring to her as Belarus's representative

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said Ukraine is expecting a visit by Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

As reported by a European Pravda correspondent, Sybiha commented on recent statements by self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, whom Ukraine continues to regard as an accomplice to the crime of aggression against Ukraine and whose punishment it continues to demand.

The minister called Lukashenko's public proposal for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "very strange statement" and made clear that Kyiv has no such interest.

"We expect Tsikhanouskaya in Ukraine in the near future, so we have someone to talk to on all issues related to Belarus," he said.

Tsikhanouskaya's visit had not previously been announced. European Pravda learned that it may take place next week.

Commenting on Ukraine's plans regarding Belarus, Sybiha pointed out that he considers the historical goals of Ukraine and Belarus to be connected.

"We must help Belarus become a European colleague, because Belarus is also Europe," he added.

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine appointed an official responsible for contacts with the Belarusian opposition. Before that, Sybiha met the leader of the Belarusian opposition.

Preparations for Tsikhanouskaya's visit to Kyiv have been under way since early spring. She intends to open a mission of the Belarusian democratic forces in Kyiv soon.