Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to Kyiv by laying flowers at the grave of Belarusian volunteer Maria Zaitseva, who was killed in the war with Russia. She was posthumously awarded Ukraine’s third-class Order for Courage.
According to Tsikhanouskaya, Zaitseva is a symbol of Belarusian-Ukrainian solidarity.
“The first thing I did when I arrived in Kyiv was go directly from the train to visit Maria Zaitseva’s grave. She symbolises not only our resistance to dictatorship, but also Ukrainian-Belarusian solidarity. It was very important for me to begin this visit by honouring a person who gave her life for the freedom of Ukraine and Belarus.
Maria was only 24 years old. She was a very bright, courageous and principled person. Like thousands of Belarusians, she stood up against violence and injustice in Belarus in 2020. And when Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, she did not stand aside. She joined Belarusian volunteers and became part of the common struggle against Russian imperialism and dictatorship.
For me, Maria is a symbol of a new generation of Belarusians. People who understand that the freedom of Belarus and the freedom of Ukraine are inseparable. She died a hero, but her name will live on. And it is our duty to do everything to ensure that the sacrifice of Maria and other heroes was not in vain”, said Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Joining Tsikhanouskaya at the ceremony were Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavel Latushka and Head of the Office of the United Transitional Cabinet Valery Matskevich.
