Tsikhanouskaya Demands Criminal Accountability for Lukashenko
Swiatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of Belarus’s democratic opposition, has called for the prosecution of self-proclaimed President Alexander Lukashenko. She is currently in the Netherlands, where, alongside Lithuanian allies, she has initiated a criminal case against both Lukashenko and his regime. The allegations, she stressed, include political repression, the forced transfer of Ukrainian children, and war crimes.
Tsikhanouskaya stated: 'Right now I am in the Netherlands, in The Hague, where together with the Lithuanians we have opened a criminal case against the Lukashenko regime and against him personally. I firmly believe that every crime must be answered for. So of course we would like to see Lukashenko face charges here in The Hague. We are working to ensure that his regime does not evade this accountability.'
Visit to Kyiv and Meeting with Zelenskyy
During her trip to Kyiv, Tsikhanouskaya met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of an international summit attended by representatives from 24 nations, mostly European countries. Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia is attempting to drag Belarus into the war against Ukraine.
This marked Tsikhanouskaya’s first official visit to Kyiv. While in Ukraine, she also toured the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the abandoned city of Pripyat, describing Chornobyl as a deeply personal and national tragedy for Belarusians.
Tsikhanouskaya’s push for Lukashenko’s criminal prosecution underscores the growing international efforts by the Belarusian opposition to spotlight human rights abuses in Belarus. Support from Lithuania and Ukraine reflects the importance of regional cooperation in countering authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe. Her visit to Kyiv also highlights the shared interests of Ukraine and Belarusian democrats in resisting Russian aggression and upholding democratic values across the region.
Tsikhanouskaya's call for legal action against Lukashenko comes on the heels of her recent discussions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Their meeting underscores the growing collaboration between Belarusian and Ukrainian leaders in addressing regional threats. For more insights on her diplomatic efforts during the visit, including key moments and statements, see our coverage on Tsikhanouskaya's engagement in Kyiv.