Фото: Офис Тихановской
The UK government’s press office has published an official press release on yesterday’s meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
“The Prime Minister began by underscoring the UK’s support for a free and democratic Belarus. He condemned Lukashenka’s ongoing attacks on democracy and the continued detention of political prisoners in the country.
The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s steadfast support for the use of sanctions to maintain pressure on the regime,” the statement said.
The UK government said that Tsikhanouskaya briefed the prime minister on her visit to Kyiv. Starmer and Tsikhanouskaya also discussed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“The Prime Minister concluded by paying tribute to Ms Tsikhanouskaya for her courage in the fight for a free and democratic Belarus,” the press office added.
Tsikhanouskaya’s Office reported yesterday that the meeting focused on the situation in Belarus, the continuation of repression in the country, and issues related to the release of and support for political prisoners. The participants also discussed the need to support independent media and civil society, support for Ukraine, the role of democratic Belarus in European security, the Lukashenka regime’s dependence on Russia, the regime’s responsibility for crimes, including in the context of the abduction of Ukrainian children and international justice mechanisms, as well as the alignment of UK and EU policy towards Belarus, including on sanctions.