In a recent statement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a prominent Belarusian opposition leader, addressed the critical importance of Ukraine securing victory in its fight against Russian aggression. She warned that Belarus, currently under the authoritarian rule of President Aliaksandr Lukashenka and closely aligned with Moscow, should not be used as a bargaining chip in international negotiations. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, highlighting the necessity for Europe to represent Belarusian voices in discussions relating to both Ukraine and Belarus, thus ensuring that the country is not handed over as a 'consolation prize' to President Vladimir Putin.

The ongoing discussions between Ukrainian and American negotiators, as well as the increasing involvement of international players, signal the complex dynamics at play in addressing the five-year-long Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to continue negotiations with Moscow and Washington, with talks potentially shifting to Abu Dhabi in March. The Russian demands for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from eastern territories it currently holds remain a major sticking point, which Zelensky has rejected outright. Additionally, there’s uncertainty regarding the timeline for ending the conflict, as Russia maintains that no specific deadline has been set.

Tsikhanouskaya's remarks underscore the interconnectedness of Belarus and Ukraine within the broader regional context, emphasizing that the struggle for Belarusian sovereignty is intrinsically linked to the outcome of the Ukrainian conflict. She asserts that as the situation in Ukraine evolves, so too must the international approach towards Belarus, advocating for a strategy that supports both nations without sacrificing either in the international diplomatic arena, particularly in light of the ongoing threat posed by Russian influence in the region.