Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya opens Mission of Democratic Belarus in Kyiv

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader in exile, has opened the Mission of Democratic Forces of Belarus in Kyiv during her ongoing visit to Ukraine.

Tsikhanouskaya noted on X that this is an important step towards closer and more systematic cooperation between democratic Belarus and Ukraine.

"I am grateful to Ukrainian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis, for joining us, and to everyone who helped make this Mission possible," she said.

She stressed that more needs to be done to support Ukraine, Belarusian volunteers and fighters and Belarusians living in Ukraine.

"This Mission will make our work more consistent and visible. It will be a platform for dialogue, practical cooperation, and support. It will help Ukrainians know whom to work with, and Belarusians in Ukraine know where to turn," Tsikhanouskaya said.

The mission is headed by Sviatlana Shatilina. Tsikhanouskaya said Shatilina will represent the democratic forces of Belarus in Ukraine.

"A free Belarus and a free Ukraine are part of the same future," Tsikhanouskaya stressed.

On 25 and 26 May, Tsikhanouskaya paid her first visit to Ukraine as leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition.

On 26 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the Belarusian people's desire to free themselves from Russian interference and Russia's attempts to further drag Belarus into the war against Ukraine.

Tsikhanouskaya stated during her visit to Kyiv that Ukraine's victory is of decisive importance for her country's future as well.