Belarusian opposition leader in exile Tsikhanouskaya arrives in Kyiv

Belarusian opposition leader in exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Kyiv on the morning of 25 May on her first official visit.

"Thanks to Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) for bringing me safely and quickly to Kyiv," Tsikhanouskaya wrote on social media.

Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to the Ukrainian capital by visiting the Lukianivske military cemetery, where 24-year-old Belarusian volunteer soldier and activist Maria Zaitseva is buried. Zaitseva was killed in action in Ukraine's east.

"It was very important for me to begin this visit by honouring the memory of a person who gave her life for the freedom of Ukraine and Belarus," Tsikhanouskaya wrote.

According to European Pravda, the visit will include meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), EU diplomats, as well as the opening of the Mission of Belarusian Democratic Forces in Ukraine.

Tsikhanouskaya's visit had been announced at the end of the previous week.

Last week, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry appointed an official responsible for contacts with the Belarusian opposition, shortly after Sybiha met with Tsikhanouskaya.