Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is a leader of Belarusian opposition who ran against Belarus’ long-standing incumbent Aliaksandr Lukashenka in the presidential election of August 9, 2020. The fraudulent election triggered a deep political crisis in the country. Peaceful mass protests were violently repressed. Tsikhanouskaya has led the Belarusian opposition movement from exile since then, campaigning to rally support for the Belarusian people in the international arena.
On February 24, 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was launched also from the Belarusian territory. Under international law, the territorial and logistical support to Russia makes Belarus a party to the war, even if its forces have not yet joined the invasion. A group of Belarusians have formed a volunteer unit fighting alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The war has generated new questions on Belarus’ domestic and international politics. What do Belarusians think about the war? Both Belarus and Russia have faced sanctions by the West, but how do the two differ from one another? Is Tsikhanouskaya’s cabinet tapping into the anti-war sentiment of the Belarusian people? What should be the Western policy towards Belarus?
Here is the link to the roundtable discussion.
PROGRAMME
Opening words
Mika Aaltola, Director, FIIA
Keynote address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
Roundtable discussion
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
Arkady Moshes, Programme Director, FIIA
Kristiina Silvan, Postdoctoral Fellow, FIIA
Moderator
Jussi Niemeläinen, Editorial Writer, Helsingin Sanomat