Tsikhanouskaya and Zelenskyy Discussed Democratic Transition of Power in Belarus

The office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has released details of her meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which took place on May 26 in Kyiv.

The meeting was also attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Siarhei Kislitsa, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva. The Belarusian side included Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavel Latushka and advisers Dzianis Kuchynski and Franak Viačorka.

Tsikhanouskaya thanked Zelenskyy for inviting her to Kyiv and for supporting Belarusians living in Ukraine, Belarusian refugees and Belarusian volunteers fighting for Ukraine. She also noted that Ukraine is maintaining dialogue with Belarusian society, which she said is not identical to the regime, calling this the correct approach that the entire world should follow.

The sides discussed the military and political situation in the region and the need to prevent Belarus from being drawn further into the war. Particular attention was paid to security along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and threats posed by the Lukashenka regime and Russia.

The interlocutors agreed to establish a working coordination group to address problems faced by Belarusians in Ukraine, including issues related to legalisation, documentation and legal status. They also discussed support for Belarusian volunteers, the fate of Belarusian prisoners of war who fought for Ukraine, and possibilities for securing the release of political prisoners convicted in Belarus for supporting Ukraine. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the important role of the Ukrainian side in assisting political prisoners released through US efforts, many of whom were evacuated through Ukraine.

The parties also considered joint efforts to counter Russian propaganda and Russification, support Belarusian and Ukrainian cultural, linguistic and educational initiatives, and expand student and youth exchanges.

Responsibility of the Lukashenka regime for international crimes, including complicity in aggression against Ukraine, was also discussed. Tsikhanouskaya urged Zelenskyy to support the firm position of the EU, particularly Lithuania and Poland, and to prevent any easing of sanctions — including those related to fertilizer transit — until systemic changes occur in Belarus and repression ends.

The sides also reviewed possible scenarios for developments in Belarus and prospects for a peaceful democratic transition, including through a National Round Table. Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the appointment of Yaroslav Chornogor as ambassador-at-large for cooperation with Belarus’s democratic forces and stressed the importance of launching systematic coordination between Ukraine and Belarusian democratic forces.

This was the second meeting between Tsikhanouskaya and Zelenskyy. The first took place in Vilnius in January 2026.