On May 25, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Kyiv, marking her first visit to Ukraine. She announced her arrival via a post on Telegram, expressing gratitude to Ukrzaliznytsia for her safe and swift journey.
Accompanying her message was a photo of her holding a train ticket that read: “Przemyśl — Free Kyiv — Swaŭboda Minsk.” Tsikhanouskaya’s visit began with a tribute to Maria Zaitseva, a Belarusian volunteer who joined the fight against Russian imperialism and dictatorship after the onset of the full-scale war.
“The first thing I did upon arriving in Kyiv was to visit Maria Zaitseva’s grave right from the train. She symbolizes not only our resistance to dictatorship but also the Ukrainian-Belarusian solidarity. It was very important for me to start this visit by honoring someone who gave her life for the freedom of Ukraine and Belarus,” Tsikhanouskaya stated.
According to the Belarusian publication Zerkalo, Tsikhanouskaya’s trip was at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. She was accompanied by her advisors, including Franak Viachorka, Denis Kuchynski, and Anatoliy Lebedko, as well as representatives from the United Transitional Cabinet (UTC): Deputy Head Pavel Latushko, Chief of Staff Valeriy Matskevich, and Social Affairs Representative Olga Zazulinskaya.
During her time in Kyiv, Tsikhanouskaya is expected to meet with Ukrainian leadership and participate in the International Summit of Cities and Regions. The invitation for her visit came from President Zelensky during their first bilateral meeting in Vilnius at the end of January this year.
On May 22, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga announced that Tsikhanouskaya would be arriving in Ukraine soon.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's visit to Kyiv underscores the growing ties between Belarusian opposition and Ukraine amid ongoing regional tensions. Her tribute to a fallen Belarusian volunteer highlights the solidarity between the two nations in their struggle for freedom.