Tsikhanouskaya’s Cabinet: International Standing and Internal Criticism

The democratic forces maintain their international standing and continue to promote the civil society agenda on the global stage. However, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s United Transitional Cabinet (UTC) faces growing criticism and increased tension within the democratic movement. This tension may stem from deteriorating feedback, shortcomings in the communication strategy, and the increasing closed-off nature of the organization.

The democratic forces’ international subjectivity allows them to advocate for their agenda, including the release of political prisoners, the isolation of Lukashenko’s regime, the legalization of Belarusian exiles, and support for civil society. As a result, the ruling class is unable to restore its monopoly on communication with the West or expand propagandist narratives. On the global stage, discussions continue about the legitimacy of Lukashenko’s regime, systematic human rights violations, and Minsk’s complicity in Kremlin’s aggression.

During the week of the UN General Assembly, Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of democratic Belarus, held a series of high-level meetings. She met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and leaders and foreign ministers of over 40 countries. This enabled the democratic forces to use additional communication channels to increase pressure on the regime.

Tsikhanouskaya discussed the mediation for the release of political prisoners with potential mediators who have contacts with the regime — although the ruling class refuses to negotiate with the democratic forces. At the same time, official Minsk seeks to undermine Tsikhanouskaya’s Cabinet’s international standing, while regime enforcers continue their total crackdown on civil society within the country.

Thanks to diplomatic achievements, the democratic forces have established a strategic dialogue with official Washington. Political organizations significantly influence the shaping of U.S. policy on Belarus.

The Council of Europe has published a guide for European parliamentarians and politicians on supporting Belarusians in exile.

Official Vilnius has confirmed its support for the Belarusian democratic movement led by Tsikhanouskaya, even as the regime tries to influence public opinion in Lithuania ahead of parliamentary elections. For example, Belarusian state media, whose content is consumed by residents of regions bordering Belarus, plays a role in this effort.

The UTC is also in communication with official Warsaw regarding the issues faced by Belarusian students applying to Polish universities, although the problem has only been partially resolved so far.

The democratic forces retain a well-developed infrastructure and support network for the repressed within the country. Human rights defenders and former security officers from BYPOL are counteracting the regime’s attempts to dismantle civil society structures.

Thus, tensions within the democratic movement continue to grow, potentially weakening Tsikhanouskaya’s Cabinet’s position.