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Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. Theses of speech by Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Member of the Coordination Council Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Pavel Latushka, on the issue of Belarusian culture at the meeting of the PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media. For decades, Lukashenko has fought against Belarusian culture, but today this struggle has reached an unprecedented scale. Culture has now become one of the primary targets of political repression in Belarus. It also serves as the main arena for Russia's hybrid war against Belarus, the goal of which is the reformatting of Belarusian identity. Similar processes are currently unfolding in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia. The entire structure of the illegitimate regime in Belarus is infiltrated by Moscow’s agents of influence. The process is initiated by pro-Kremlin pseudo-activists who file politically motivated complaints against any manifestations of national identity. Security forces and propagandists then use these complaints as a pretext for repression, while the entire process is overseen by Russian ideologues, backed by financial support from Russian foundations and under the direct supervision of the Russian Embassy in Minsk. Against the backdrop of repressions against Belarusian culture, Russian artists, events, and professionals are flooding the cultural sphere in Belarus, which has been 'cleared' of Belarusian specialists and initiatives. The Kremlin's efforts regarding Belarus are aimed at dismantling national identity and fostering a sense of belonging to Russian culture. This acts as a preparation for a potential annexation of Belarus, ensuring that Belarusian society responds to it with loyalty. “Repression in Belarus has evolved beyond targeting political activists to encompass a systematic restructuring of cultural space, education, language use and historical narratives. Belarusian cultural and national identity and linguistic affiliation are increasingly treated as markers of political opposition,” emphasizes the report by Nils Muižnieks, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, published as part of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The recent mass releases of political prisoners have taken place in parallel with targeted repressions against cultural figures: law enforcement agencies are methodically targeting individuals who had contacts with specific cultural organizations operating abroad, while also focusing their efforts on particular cultural sectors. According to the Belarusian PEN Centre, at least 117 representatives of the cultural sphere are currently imprisoned (including Pavel Belavus, founder of Symbal.by and the 'Godna' company, and Aleh Khamenka, musician, radio host, lecturer, composer, producer, and leader of the band 'Palac'), held in open-type correctional institutions, or serving politically motivated 'home confinement' sentences. On July 11, 2023, the political prisoner and artist Ales Pushkin died in a Hrodna prison. Ales Pushkin. Photo: Radio Svaboda As of 2026, there is not a single language school remaining in Belarus where foreigners can study the Belarusian language. Projects that popularize Belarusian culture and history are subjected to targeted harassment by propagandists. Under this pressure, even pro-regime yet Belarusian-language initiatives are being forced to close. Arrests of participants in cultural projects remain ongoing. In 2024–2025, a systemic hunt was launched against editors and administrators of the Belarusian-language Wikipedia. As a result of repressions and criminal cases, the number of new articles in the Belarusian language within this online encyclopedia has dropped to a historic low. Since 2020, the Lukashenko regime has liquidated more than 260 organizations operating within the cultural sector or having a cultural component to their activities. According to monitoring data provided by the Belarusian PEN Centre, the names of at least 428 cultural figures and workers who were dismissed for political reasons following the 2020 events in Belarus are known. Almost all cultural institutions established by Belarusians abroad have also been designated as “extremist formations” (such as Free Belarus Museum, 'Volnyja Kupalaŭcy', 'Budzma Belarusami', 'Inshya', and others). This means that if citizens inside Belarus watch their projects or materials, or visit them while abroad, they face political criminal prosecution." Source: spring96.org/ru/news/119805 In Belarus, theatrical productions are being canceled, and Belarusian-language theaters are undergoing forced Russification. Artistic directors from the Russian Federation have been appointed to lead Belarusian theaters, replacing the dismissed specialists in more than five instances. In the country’s leading Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre, where I previously served as General Director, a Russian director has been appointed, and Russian actors are being recruited into the troupe. This has happened to what was, until recently, the only fully Belarusian-language theater in Belarus. The absolute majority of leading state theaters and all independent theaters in the country have been subjected to repression, censorship, or personnel purges. From the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater alone, 58 people were dismissed, including 36 actors—nearly the entire troupe. Festivals and exhibitions are banned based on politically motivated complaints. The state’s monopolization of the cultural space—particularly the mandatory permit requirement for organizing events—creates ideal conditions for corruption and censorship. The leading independent Belarusian publishing houses (such as 'Yanushkevich' and 'Knigazbor') have been completely liquidated within the territory of Belarus. In February 2026, a new wave of searches and arrests of publishers and distributors took place. The largest publishing houses (including Gutenberg Publisher, Lohvinau, and others) have been designated as “extremist.”' In addition, the European Humanities University in Vilnius has also been declared an “extremist organization,” triggering a wave of searches and arrests targeting its current and former students. The works of Belarusian historians (such as Z. Shybeka and V. Lastouski) and masterpieces by classic authors (including V. Dunin-Marcinkievich, L. Heniyush, N. Arsenieva, and V. Niakliaeu) have been included in the lists of “extremist materials.” At the demand of state propagandists, Uladzimir Karatkievich’s prominent novel “Kalasy pad siarpom tvaim” was removed from the school program. For political reasons, the regime’s Ministry of Information has banned the distribution of 258 books, including fiction, history, and political science literature. Meanwhile, the courts, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the KGB have blacklisted over 9,000 items — such as websites, social media pages, and print publications — as so-called “extremist materials.” Between 2019 and 2024, the number of book titles published in the Belarusian language within Belarus dropped from 1,271 to 893, while the total print run experienced a sharp decline of nearly 700,000 copies. In 2022, the Council on Historical Policy was established, and the repressive law “On the Genocide of the Belarusian People” was adopted to criminally prosecute dissent against state-sponsored myths. More than 50 historians have been dismissed or forced out of the country. During 2024–2025, Moscow and Minsk agreed on the introduction of unified history textbooks for the so-called “Union State” for the 2026–2027 academic years; within these textbooks, the period of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is labeled as a “period of severe hardship”, but the era of the Russian Empire is Presented as an “epoch of peace and modernization.” The Belarusian People's Republic — the first Belarusian national democratic state, established in 1918 — is being absolutely erased from the historical narrative. Between 2023 and 2025, monuments and memorials honoring national heroes—such as Tadeusz Kościuszko, Kastuś Kalinoŭski, and Larysa Heniyush—were dismantled across the country. In place of Belarusian heroes, monuments dedicated to figures of Russian history are being installed in Minsk and other cities, including an 11-meter monument to Alexander Nevsky. Since 2023, a strict political certification process for tour guides has been introduced. Guides are arrested right in the middle of their tours for using the Belarusian language or providing "incorrect" historical assessments. The Belarusian Latin alphabet (Lacinka) has been absolutely eliminated from urban infrastructure. On public transport (for example, in Hrodna and Maladziechna), audio announcements in the Belarusian language are being canceled. As of today, only 1.4% of regulatory acts in the country are published in Belarusian. In 1994, 58% of first-graders in Minsk studied in the Belarusian language; by 1999, this number had dropped to 5.3%. By 2023, only 10% of schoolchildren nationwide were being educated in their native language, predominantly in rural schools that are now being closed down. Belarusian-language gymnasiums in the regions are being forcibly converted to Russian. The Belarusian language used to be viewed as the language of the opposition. Today, however, Lukashenko sees it as an element of resistance against his power. Many Belarusians do not speak Belarusian in public because they fear repression and persecution. Even when I was Minister of Culture, I was the only member of the government who publicly used the Belarusian language in public communication. Lukashenko himself said that “Belarusians are just Russians with a quality mark.” He always speaks Russian and claims it to be our native language. Lukashenko once told me face-to-face (now I view this as a completely false claim) that he would also speak Belarusian, but then Putin would sell him oil at a much higher price. In other words, he is ready to sell out Belarusian culture, language, and history for economic benefits, for cheap oil and gas. This is the true essence of this pro-Soviet and pro-Russian politician. For a long time, the West viewed the situation in Belarus only as a local human rights crisis. This is a dangerous mistake. Today, culture and identity are the frontline. Without large-scale, systemic, and decisive support for Belarusian culture, the European Union, in the very near future, will get right at its borders either an official new region of the Russian Federation or a country with a fully replaced Russian mentality—one that is deeply aggressive, militarized, and hostile toward Europe. The destruction of Belarusian culture turns a European society of nine million people into a faceless mobilization and ideological resource for the Kremlin’s military adventures. The destruction of Belarusian culture turns a 9-million European Belarusian society into a faceless mobilization and ideological resource for the Kremlin’s military adventures. A nation can survive without state borders, but it cannot survive without a strong national identity. If we pay enough attention to culture, it will help us not to talk about new military bases in the future. Sociological data from a study on national identity conducted for the Ebert Foundation show that it is national-oriented Belarusians who support the idea of European integration and Belarus's European choice to the greatest extent, unlike pro-Soviet and Russified ones. Recommendations and an action plan for democratic Europe. These proposals combine proposals from the Representation for National Revival of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, the Belarusian Council for Culture, and the National Anti-Crisis Management. Political recognition of ethnocide and sanctions: Adopt resolutions at the level of PACE and the European Parliament, officially qualifying the actions of Russia and the Lukashenko regime as a hybrid occupation and a creeping ethnocide of the Belarusian people. Introduce sanctions against officials, security forces, and propagandists responsible for the persecution of the language and culture, as well as the Russian foundations financing them. Russification is used as a tool of control, and the destruction of national culture as a way to weaken society. That is why supporting Belarusian culture is a matter of freedom, sovereignty, and European security. Creation of the European Fund for Belarusian Culture: Launch large-scale programs of institutional and financial support for independent Belarusian cultural institutions and initiatives, and educational projects both inside the country and in exile. Create a 2–3 year sub-program for Belarusians within the “Creative Europe” program. Support initiatives to integrate independent Belarusian culture into the European context, and expand its representation on European platforms. Investing in culture today is an investment in democracy, stability, and European security tomorrow. Protection of digital and historical heritage: Provide targeted grants for the digitization of Belarusian archives and books, the development of the Belarusian-language IT sector, and support for projects broadcasting into the country to deconstruct the 'Russian World' narratives. Distinguish between support for Belarusians and opposition Russians (so-called “good Russians'”). Support initiatives aimed at uniting figures from countries experiencing Russian influence attempts (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan). Preventing a new 'Iron Curtain' between Belarus and Europe: Today, Belarusian artists, musicians, writers, and researchers continue to build bridges between Belarus and Europe. But these bridges are weakening. Travel restrictions, visa difficulties, problems opening bank accounts, and blocked access to professional opportunities risk creating a new "Iron Curtain"—not between regimes, but between people. We must preserve and expand mobility opportunities for Belarusians. Europe must remain open to Belarusian society, even if Belarus remains closed to Europe for now.

"When speaking about the situation of Belarusian citizens residing on the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of humanitarian visas, temporary residence permits obtained for humanitarian reasons, or subsidiary protection, it should be clearly emphasized that close family members of these individuals (parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren) have the opportunity to apply for visas on the basis of notarially certified invitations," — as stated in the response of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the corresponding appeal by Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, delegate of the Coordination Council of Belarus Pavel Latushka. Belarusian citizens residing on the territory of Poland on the basis of a residence permit for humanitarian reasons approached Pavel Latushka with a request to help resolve the issue of inviting relatives to Poland. The problem was that, following an approach to the Polish consulate in Minsk with a request to consider the possibility of issuing visas for parents, a response was received stating that persons holding a temporary residence permit may invite their parents to Poland provided that an invitation is arranged for them through the Voivodeship Office. The Voivodeship Office, in turn, responded that an invitation may be issued by a foreigner who, immediately prior to issuing the invitation, had legally and continuously resided on the territory of the Republic of Poland for no less than 5 years, or holds a permanent residence permit, or a long-term EU resident permit. In responding to Pavel Latushka's appeal on this matter, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that "in correspondence with the consul for the purpose of scheduling a date for submitting a visa application, these individuals must provide full information about the basis on which they obtained the right to reside in Poland. A consul, having received only a scan of a residence card marked 'access to the labour market', cannot determine whether the card was obtained on the basis of a temporary residence and work permit, or for humanitarian reasons, which also grant the right to employment, even though the actual basis for applying for the right of residence is entirely different. In order for the consul to make the correct decision regarding the application of the preferential procedure to a specific individual, he must have complete information about the inviting party. Possible misunderstandings may result from the absence of a full picture of the matter." "The United Transitional Cabinet expresses its gratitude to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating the obtaining of visas for relatives of Belarusian citizens, including those residing in Poland on the basis of international protection, humanitarian visas, and temporary residence permits obtained for humanitarian reasons. We highly value the cooperation with the Consular Department of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consular establishments of Poland abroad," — noted Pavel Latushka.

The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus notes a significant increase in threats to the security and independence of Belarus in connection with the continued involvement of the Lukashenko regime in the war against Ukraine. Today it is vitally important for Belarusians to find paths toward achieving civil consensus and effective protection of national interests. Both the preservation of the Belarusian state and its sustainable development will depend on this. The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus calls upon the functional authorities of the country to cease support for Russian aggression, to begin negotiations in the format of a Round Table with representatives of the united democratic forces and civil society, with the aim of preventing Belarus from being drawn into armed confrontation, ending the internal political crisis and security crisis. The independence of Belarus and non-participation in the war are the key elements of achieving national consensus and the foundation for the restoration of civil accord. Long Live Belarus! Warsaw, June 21, 2026

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a direct and blunt warning to Lukashenko. He stated that if he does not immediately shut down Russian equipment (relay stations and communications systems on the territory of Belarus) used to guide and correct missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine will destroy this equipment itself. Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Lukashenko's personal "apologies" are meaningless as long as Belarus remains one of the main fuel suppliers for the Russian army and a co-participant in the aggression. The statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not merely a political warning — it is a recognition of the critical point to which the Lukashenko regime has brought Belarus. When strikes on Ukrainian cities continue to be corrected from our territory and fuel is supplied for the aggressor's tanks, retaliatory action becomes a matter of principle for Ukraine. At this pivotal moment, it is important to emphasize that Lukashenko's justifications before Ukraine and the international community no longer hold. One cannot claim to stand for "peace" while simultaneously providing Belarusian oil refineries to fuel Russian tanks and permitting the placement of relay stations for guiding missiles and strike drones at residential buildings in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The warning from Ukraine's leadership is no bluff. It is a legitimate right to self-defense. If Ukraine "removes" the Russian military equipment itself, all responsibility for the consequences will fall solely on Lukashenko. Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. The dictator continues to surrender the country's sovereignty. He has one last chance — he is obliged to immediately and completely shut down any Russian equipment for coordination, communications, and electronic warfare, and also to cease the supply of fuel and lubricants for the needs of the Russian army. Belarusian men and women, we know that the absolute majority of you are against this shameful war. We are not enemies of Ukraine. But the dictator has made our land a co-participant in the aggression. To minimize risks and protect your families, it is important to stay away from military facilities. These facilities may be located in a zone of elevated risk. Do not approach Russian equipment. If you see movement of Russian EW, communications, or radar complexes — do not go near them. They may become a target at any moment. Show solidarity. Help one another, do not give in to panic or state propaganda, which will attempt to incite hatred toward Ukrainians. Our enemy is not Ukraine. Our common enemy is two dictators who are dividing our peoples for the sake of personal power.

Pavel Latushka with Karmen Laus. Poland, Warsaw, 2026. Photo: NAM Media Issues of accountability of Lukashenko regime representatives before the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the results of elections to the Coordination Council of Belarus, were discussed by Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, NAM Head Pavel Latushka and Coordination Council Speaker Artsiom Brukhan with the Special Representative of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Relations with the Democratic Forces of Belarus Karmen Laus. During the meeting, questions of further strengthening of sanctions pressure on the Lukashenko regime were discussed. Karmen Laus was provided with information on the prospects for developing relations between the democratic forces of Belarus and Ukraine. Also during the meeting with the representative of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the position of the European Union regarding Belarus was discussed, as well as the importance of demanding systemic, rather than cosmetic, changes in the regime's internal repressive policy through the use of the round table instrument. In addition, the parties touched upon the topic of Estonia's support for the work of the International Humanitarian Foundation and the prospects for the release of political prisoners in Belarus. Pavel Latushka thanked Karmen Laus for Estonia's consistent position in support of democratic transformations in Belarus. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative noted that Estonia's position regarding the Lukashenko regime remains unchanged, as the regime does not change its internal repressive and external aggressive policy.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. Not long ago, Lukashenko once again demonstrated to the country and to the world that his economic vision is hopelessly mired in the deep Soviet past. The dictator announced a new "brilliant" strategy for saving agriculture — the accelerated revival of district agro-service centres (rayagrosservisy). Those very same Soviet-era district agricultural machinery stations (selkhoztekhniki) in every district. In his own words, "something needs to be put together in a hurry" even in such small districts. This is an attempt to conceal the catastrophic shortage of personnel, appalling mismanagement, and the mass impoverishment of agricultural enterprises. When there is no one left in agricultural companies to fix a tractor, and no money to do so, the regime's solution is to create a centralised bureaucratic monster to patch over the holes. Let us look at the real situation. In Vitebsk Oblast alone, for instance, there is a shortfall of 20% of the established headcount of livestock specialists and veterinarians, and 17% of machine operators. More than 420 vacancies have remained unfilled for over a year. The personnel deficit has been identified as a foundational, system-wide problem for the agro-industrial sector in the region. This was reported by the Vitebsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office at a special meeting convened for this purpose. Law enforcement officials noted that young specialists complain of poor working conditions, excessive workloads, and no days off. And what solution did the meeting participants propose? Perhaps raising wages and improving working conditions? No. The Prosecutor's Office issued directives to local authorities and once again punished everyone across the board. Another problem in agriculture is that there will soon be nothing left to repair. According to official Belstat data alone, over the period from 2020 to 2024, the vehicle and machinery fleet of agricultural organisations suffered colossal losses. The country lost: 2,892 tractors; 2,141 trucks; 1,169 grain combine harvesters; 471 forage combine harvesters. Where did this equipment go? It rotted away or was stripped for spare parts.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. In Kyiv, the delegation of democratic forces led by Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. During the meeting, which lasted more than two and a half hours, the parties discussed further cooperation between Ukraine and the democratic forces, issues facing Belarusians in Ukraine, and cooperation in the fields of culture, information, and diplomacy. Outcomes: Ambassador-at-Large Yaroslav Chornogur was appointed to coordinate cooperation with the democratic forces; a coordination group on issues concerning Belarusians in Ukraine is being prepared for launch, covering legalisation, migration, and other problems faced by Belarusians in Ukraine; a series of proposals on sanctions against regime enterprises and individuals were submitted; Ukraine will raise the issue of Belarus at the EU Council of Foreign Ministers. Ukraine will consider the question of sanctions against the "Union State"; the democratic forces will join the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children; agreement was reached on cooperation in countering Russification and supporting Belarusian-Ukrainian cultural and educational initiatives, as well as on creating conditions for the development of the Belarusian student community in Ukraine; the Head of the Mission of the Democratic Forces in Kyiv, Sviatlana Shatsilina, was officially introduced to the Minister; proposals were submitted on holding the Lukashenko regime accountable for international crimes (the act of aggression against Ukraine, the deportation of children, and crimes against humanity); During the meeting, the parties agreed to counter Russian disinformation and propaganda, and to make efforts to prevent Belarus from being drawn into the war. The Belarusian delegation was also presented with a series of historical documents from the official correspondence between the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Belarusian People's Republic in 1918–1919. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: "I am glad that our relations are reaching a new level — this is a clear signal that Ukraine distinguishes between Belarus and Russia, between Belarusians and the regime. We will cooperate with Ukraine across a number of areas to renew the friendly relations between our peoples and to counter the criminal regimes in Minsk and Moscow." During the meeting of the Belarusian democratic forces delegation with Ukraine's Foreign Minister, UTC Deputy Head Pavel Latushka outlined the three directions along which work is being conducted to hold Lukashenko accountable for international crimes committed: the act of aggression against Ukraine, the deportation of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, and crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people. He also submitted specific proposals on increasing sanctions pressure on the regime. Andrii Sybiha endorsed them, noting that Ukraine would pursue work in the direction of accountability and expanding sanctions. The Belarusian democratic forces delegation was composed of representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet — Pavel Latushka, representative of the democratic forces in Ukraine Sviatlana Shatsilina, and advisors to Tsikhanouskaya — Franak Viačorka, Denis Kuchynski, and Anatol Liabedzka.

Pavel Latushka, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Artsiom Brukhan. Kyiv, Ukraine, 2026. Photo: NAM Media The importance of continuing sanctions pressure on the Lukashenko regime was discussed by Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the NAM Pavel Latushka during a meeting with the Advisor-Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk. Also participating in the meeting was Speaker of the Coordination Council, Deputy Head of the NAM Artsiom Brukhan. "Our shared priority today is to firmly resist, together with Ukraine, any tendencies and attempts to weaken European sanctions against the Lukashenko regime," — Pavel Latushka stated following the meeting. The politician transmitted specific proposals for the introduction of sanctions against 17 enterprises of the military-industrial complex of the Lukashenko regime, institutions of the so-called Union State, Lukashenko's inner circle, propagandists, and officials involved in repression in Belarus. Also highlighted was the importance of maximally strengthening controls over the transit of goods through Belarus to third countries, and of further expanding blocking sanctions against Belarusian banks that remain connected to the Russian SPFS (System for Transfer of Financial Messages). Artsiom Brukhan presented to the Ukrainian side information and materials on the role of the so-called Union State in the aggression against Ukraine and in the elimination of Belarus's independence. The parties agreed to intensify cooperation on sanctions with respect to the military-industrial complex, the financial sector, and propaganda operating in the interests of the "Russian World." The importance of interaction at the level of the European Union on further harmonisation of sanctions pressure in trade on Russia and the Lukashenko regime was also underscored. "Sanctions for the war and sanctions for repression against the Belarusian people must complement one another. Easing pressure on Lukashenko is impermissible in either direction. Only joint and synchronised actions by Ukraine and the democratic forces of Belarus will help deprive the regime of resources," — Pavel Latushka emphasised following the meeting.

Pavel Latushka. Kyiv, Ukraine, 2026. Photo: NAM Media "For me, this visit is important from the standpoint of demonstrating our solidarity with Ukraine and with the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting for their freedom and territorial integrity through the fifth year of full-scale aggression,"— stated Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the NAM Pavel Latushka at the outset of the working visit to Kyiv by the delegation of Belarusian democratic forces led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Pavel Latushka outlined his plans for the visit to Ukraine: "Belarusians who want a free country are also on the side of Ukrainians. Our heroes are fighting at the front line. During my time in Kyiv, I plan to hold a separate meeting with the Director of the Department of International Law and International Legal Counteraction of Aggression at the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anton Korynevych. This meeting will take place as a continuation of previous meetings. I plan to discuss the possible assistance from our side — from the United Transitional Cabinet and the NAM — regarding the collection of evidence for submission to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the framework of the investigation already under way into the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Belarus. Pavel Latushka and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Ukraine, 2026. Photo: NAM Media We have already submitted two substantial volumes of materials. I personally met with a senior investigator from the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, during which I handed over materials to the ICC Prosecutor. The relevant materials were also formally transmitted to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The second direction I would like to discuss is our support for the establishment of the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The NAM is currently collecting evidence which we will, of course, be transmitting both to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and to the Prosecutor of the future Special Tribunal, which is to be established in the Hague in the near future. Separately, a matter of particular importance to me will be the subject of Ukraine's possible support for the investigation into crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people. As you know, since March this investigation is also being conducted by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. And tens of thousands of Belarusians after 2020 were forced to leave the territory of the country and relocate to Ukraine, which from the standpoint of international law constitutes deportation. Ukraine recently signed the Rome Statute and became a member of the International Criminal Court. Its voice in this investigation is also very important to us. I also have a separate meeting scheduled at the Office of the President of Ukraine with the President of Ukraine's Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, where I will present specific proposals for strengthening sectoral and personal sanctions against the Lukashenko regime. We had previously been cooperating with Ukraine on sanctions matters as well. I hope that this meeting will make that cooperation even more effective."

Pavel Latushka and Director of the Department of International Law and International Legal Counteraction of Aggression of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anton Korynevych. Kyiv, Ukraine, 2026. Photo: NAM Media "I thank the Director of the Department of International Law and International Legal Counteraction of Aggression of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anton Korynevych, for a very constructive meeting, for the agreements reached, and for the prospect of cooperation on holding Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable across three directions," — stated Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the NAM Pavel Latushka following the meeting at Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the parties discussed three directions of cooperation on holding Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable for crimes against the Ukrainian and Belarusian peoples. Pavel Latushka expressed gratitude for the statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha that Lukashenko will be held accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine within the framework of the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, currently being established. Pavel Latushka also provided information on the collection of evidence of the committed act of aggression, which the NAM is currently engaged in; the parties discussed the mechanisms and recipients for transmitting the relevant materials. It was agreed that, once these materials have been consolidated, the National Anti-Crisis Management will transmit them to Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for subsequent transmission to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, as well as to the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in The Hague. It was emphasised that representatives of the democratic forces of Belarus will, during international meetings, lobby for the importance of other states joining the mechanisms underpinning the functioning of the Special Tribunal. The representative of Ukraine's MFA informed that, as of now, 36 states and the European Union have confirmed their participation in its establishment. The meeting also addressed the possibilities of holding Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable for the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children and their subsequent indoctrination in the interests of the "Russian World." The Head of the NAM informed the Ukrainian side that Lukashenko continues to commit these crimes. As an example, it was noted that the previous week another arrival of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Vitebsk had been recorded. Lukashenko has on multiple occasions himself admitted to committing crimes against Ukrainian children. For instance, on 27 June 2023, he stated: "I approached Putin and said: let us allocate a portion of the Union budget for these children. And that is how we started bringing them over." Pavel Latushka conveyed information indicating that no fewer than 3,500 Ukrainian children from at least 15 cities had been transferred to Belarusian territory. He also noted that, as a result of considerable painstaking work, it had been possible to identify several dozen orphaned children from Ukraine. In addition, the Deputy Head of the Cabinet requested that the Ukrainian side draw the attention of the International Criminal Court and, in particular, the Office of the Prosecutor, to the importance of investigating the deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus. During the discussion of the progress of the ICC Prosecutor's investigation into the "Belarusian situation" — relating to the commission of crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people — the representative of Ukraine's MFA extended congratulations in connection with the achievement of such a significant result in the work of the NAM and Belarusian human rights organisations. Pavel Latushka made a request for the implementation of the procedure under Article 14 of the Rome Statute and the referral to the ICC Office of the Prosecutor of information concerning the situation involving the deportation of part of the civilian population of Belarus to Ukraine. This is connected to the fact that since August 2020, tens of thousands of Belarusians have been compelled to leave Belarus and relocate to that country, where they are subsequently subjected to cross-border persecution. During the meeting, it was noted that citizens of Ukraine are also among the victims of crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenko regime. The parties agreed to continue substantive engagement across all three directions of holding representatives of the Lukashenko regime to account.

Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the NAM Pavel Latushka, during a meeting with the Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament Juozas Olekas, expressed gratitude for Lithuania's position on matters concerning support for political prisoners deported to Lithuanian territory, accountability of the Lukashenko regime for crimes committed against the Belarusian people. Also participating in the meeting were Denis Kuchynski, Director of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office in Vilnius, and Iryna Khalopitsa, Deputy Head of the International Commission of the Coordination Council. During the meeting, the Speaker expressed full support for the democratic forces of Belarus. He noted that the Lithuanian Parliament is always open to hosting events in support of Belarus's democratic movement. He also emphasised that the parliament supports the position of the Lithuanian government regarding regime accountability and the continuation of sanctions pressure. A separate item on the meeting's agenda was a discussion of the security threat to Lithuania posed by the Lukashenko regime. Pavel Latushka briefed Juozas Olekas on the results of the elections to the Coordination Council. He also spoke about the steps being taken to hold Lukashenko accountable for crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people, for the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian orphans to Belarusian territory, and for the commission of an act of aggression against Ukraine. During the meeting, Pavel Latushka presented information on the work of the Belarusian delegation of the Coordination Council in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as in other inter-parliamentary organisations in which the CR is represented.

"It is precisely thanks to the Ministry of Justice and the Government of Lithuania that thousands of Belarusians who have suffered from repression, persecution, and deportation have been given hope for international justice and the restoration of their rights," — stated Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the NAM Pavel Latushka during a meeting with Lithuania's Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė. During the meeting, Pavel Latushka expressed gratitude to Lithuania and noted that the referral of the "Belarusian situation" by the Lithuanian Government to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is not only the result of painstaking legal work, but also an act of Lithuania's commitment to the highest principles of justice. Pavel Latushka emphasised that at this point everything within our power is being done to advance the investigation of the "Belarusian situation" at the International Criminal Court, as well as to encourage other countries to join and support this investigation. The parties also separately discussed other avenues for holding the regime to international account, including within the framework of the International Court of Justice. The conversation covered accountability both for crimes against Belarusians and for violations of international obligations with respect to Lithuania.