Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga confirmed that Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya would arrive in Ukraine. This happened against the backdrop of statements by Alexander Lukashenko about his readiness to meet with President Vladimir Zelensky. The Ukrainian side is ready to negotiate the prospects of bilateral relations.<\/p>\n
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiga<\/strong> announced the upcoming visit of the Belarusian opposition leader Svitlana Tikhanovska<\/strong> to Ukraine. The expected arrival of the opposition leader comes against the backdrop of the recent initiative of the unrecognised president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko<\/strong>, who offered to meet with the president Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> anywhere in Ukraine or Belarus.<\/p>\n Andriy Sybiga emphasised: \u00abThe Ukrainian side has people to meet with, and we are expecting Tikhanovska to visit Ukraine in the near future. So we have someone to talk to about the whole range of issues.\u00bb This statement underlines Kyiv's readiness to engage in dialogue with representatives of the Belarusian opposition.<\/p>\n On 21 May, Alexander Lukashenko proposed to hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Lukashenko stated: \u00abIf he wants to talk about something, consult or something else, please, we are open to it. Anywhere in Ukraine, Belarus - I am ready to meet with him and discuss the problems of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations. And maybe talk about prospects.\u00bb.<\/p>\n At the same time, Lukashenka stressed that he has a dialogue with other countries - the United States, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania - but not with Ukraine. This statement reflects the tensions in bilateral relations and possible attempts to establish communication.<\/p>\n On 20 May, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Stavka to discuss the possibility of of Russia's offensive operations<\/a> from the territory of Belarus. Ukrainian forces intend to reinforce their defences in the Chernihiv-Kyiv area.<\/p>\n Earlier, on 2 May, Zelenskyy noted a specific activity on the border with Belarus<\/a>, The President of Ukraine said that Russia was trying to draw Belarus into a war, pointing to the building of infrastructure and artillery positions in the border areas of Belarus. On 17 April, Ukraine's president stated that Russia was trying to draw Belarus into a war, pointing to the development of infrastructure and artillery positions in the border areas of Belarus.<\/p>\n These facts set the context for Lukashenko's statements and Tikhanovska's visit, emphasising the complexity of of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations<\/a> in a time of war.<\/p>\n Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's arrival in Ukraine symbolises the Ukrainian authorities' support for the Belarusian opposition. It also demonstrates Kyiv's desire to have a representative of the Belarusian political opposition to discuss a wide range of issues, including security and political perspectives.<\/p>\nLukashenko's proposal and Ukraine's reaction<\/h2>\n
Security situation at the border and geopolitical background<\/h2>\n
The significance of Tikhanovska's visit for Ukraine and the region<\/h2>\n