Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Ukrainian leadership in Kyiv to discuss Russian interference, as President Zelensky warns that Moscow is pressuring Belarus to expand the conflict toward a new front.
Tsikhanouskaya’s Visit to Kyiv
At the invitation of Volodymyr Zelensky, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main rival of Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 elections, visited Ukraine for the first time. During her stay, she met with the president, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, parliamentary leaders, and EU diplomats.
Zelensky stated on Telegram that they discussed the Belarusian people’s desire to free themselves from Russian interference. He emphasized that Russia is attempting to drag Belarus deeper into the war against Ukraine and expressed hope for a future where both nations are independent of Moscow.
Escalating Tensions on the Border
The visit coincides with rising tensions at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. Since the start of the year, Kyiv has reported that Belarus is installing transmitters and repeaters to facilitate Russian drone attacks. Recent military logistics movements near the border have led officials to suggest a possible kinetic participation by Belarusian forces.
Meanwhile, Lukashenko has proposed talks with Zelensky regarding bilateral relations. He denied that Minsk plans to participate in the war, asserting that Belarus would only engage in the conflict in response to aggression against its own territory.
Potential for a New Front
Following consultations with military and intelligence chiefs, Zelensky revealed that Russia is exploring operations south or north of Belarus, including directions toward Chernihiv-Kyiv or against a NATO country. The Ukrainian president warned that if Lukashenko supports these intentions, Ukraine will defend its people and has ordered its defense forces to prepare a response.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha recently informed allies about the growing threats from Belarus. He urged the international community to take action, including deterrence measures, to prevent Moscow and Minsk from expanding their aggression.