Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a prominent Belarusian opposition leader, spoke out during her visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, highlighting the critical importance of Belarus's role in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. She articulated that it is essential for European negotiators to incorporate Belarusian concerns into talks regarding Ukraine's future, especially as they pertain to the potential consequences of a deteriorating situation for Belarus amidst the conflict. Tsikhanouskaya warned that sacrificing Belarus in negotiations could effectively serve as a 'consolation prize' for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

She pointed out that while it is vital for Ukraine to secure a victory in its ongoing war against Russia, this objective should not come at the expense of Belarus, a significant ally of Moscow under President Alexander Lukashenko. Tsikhanouskaya's remarks come in light of renewed discussions surrounding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has been persisting for almost five years, with recent rounds of negotiations taking place in Geneva involving Ukrainian and U.S. representatives. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, further talks are anticipated to occur in Abu Dhabi in March, underlining the urgency and complexity of the diplomatic efforts underway.

Moreover, the backdrop of these negotiations highlights a broader tension where Ukraine is under pressure from Russia to withdraw its troops from occupied territories. Tsikhanouskaya's call for Belarus to be kept in consideration indicates a resistance against a narrative that could potentially erase Belarus's agency from discussions about the region's future. This stance not only reflects her commitment to Belarusian sovereignty but also questions the precarious alliances formed in the wake of the ongoing conflict, suggesting a careful balance must be struck as powers negotiate not just peace but also the fate of neighboring nations affected by the war.