# Tsikhanouskaya Demands Belarus Inclusion in Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations Opposition leader argues regional security requires addressing Belarus's military and political status. - **Source:** [The Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0a821b8a-5da4-4405-a73c-8ecf6ce4724a ## Call for Inclusion Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya formally requested that Belarus be included in any upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations. Speaking on November 12, 2026, at the European Political Community summit in Dublin, she emphasized that the current political and military situation within Belarus remains a critical factor for achieving lasting regional stability. ## Security Linkage Tsikhanouskaya argued that European security is fundamentally tied to the democratic status of Belarus. She stated that without a free and democratic Belarus, neither Ukraine nor other European nations can achieve long-term safety. Her position highlights the belief that the country's current governance is inseparable from the broader regional conflict. ## Troop Withdrawal Demands Beyond political representation, the opposition leader demanded the complete withdrawal of Russian military forces from Belarusian territory. She argued that Russian troops must leave both Ukraine and Belarus to ensure peace. This stance addresses the ongoing military presence that has facilitated Moscow's operations against Ukraine since the initial invasion. ## Co-belligerent Status Western governments currently view the administration of Alexander Lukashenko as a co-belligerent in Russia's war against Ukraine. The country has served as a staging ground for initial invasions and subsequent missile attacks. Consequently, international forums and sanction regimes have increasingly treated Russia and Belarus as a single strategic entity. ## Democratic Representation Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues to represent Belarus as the leader of the country's democratic forces. She is widely recognized by international observers as the legitimate winner of the disputed 2020 presidential election. Her presence at the Dublin summit serves to maintain a diplomatic voice for the Belarusian opposition on the global stage. ## Support for Ukraine Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the contributions of ordinary Belarusians who have volunteered to support the Ukrainian armed forces. She urged the international community to provide every opportunity for Ukraine to win the war. According to her, a Ukrainian victory is essential for shaping the future of the entire European continent's security architecture. ## Diplomatic Isolation The European Political Community forum excludes both Russia and the current Belarusian government under Alexander Lukashenko. By participating in this summit, Tsikhanouskaya positions the democratic opposition as the alternative partner for European leaders. This exclusion underscores the deep diplomatic rift between the current Minsk leadership and the broader European bloc. ## Broader Context The demand for inclusion comes amid stalled peace efforts and ongoing Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. While U.S. envoys have engaged in recent talks in Moscow, no meaningful breakthrough has been achieved. Including the Belarusian question adds a complex layer to the already difficult negotiations regarding the ongoing regional conflict. ## Sources covering this story - https://kyivindependent.com/tsikhanouskaya-says-belarus-must-be-included-in-russia-ukraine-peace-talks/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._