The United Democratic Forces of Belarus: Strategic agenda for 2023 and international support

Moderator:  

Elena Korosteleva, Professor of Politics and Global Sustainable Development, IGSD University of Warwick; co-founder of Oxford Belarus Observatory

Speakers: 

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, National Leader of Belarus, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet 
Urmas Reinsalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia  
Stephen Nix, Senior Regional Director of Eurasia, International Republican Institute
David Marples, Distinguished University Professor of Russian and East European History, University of Alberta

The year of 2022 brought a lot of challenges for the United Democratic Forces (UDF) of Belarus. Acting from abroad they need to balance their priorities for the national and international agendas - that is, trying to have an impact domestically, and promote Belarus’ interests abroad.  These challenges became even more urgent in the context of the ongoing Russia’s war against Ukraine, which Lukashenka supports, and through which territory the future assaults on Ukraine are allegedly being planned. The UDF and Belarus’ National Leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, in particular, are doing their utmost to promote Belarus’ agenda on the international level, to demonstrate that the Belarusians do not equate to the illegitimate regime of Lukashenka. This level of support and international advocacy are extremely important for the country, to ensure further support for the democratic course, including the release of prisoners, and the persecution of the regime’s culprits. Yet, it is a challenge to juggle the priorities, on the domestic and international levels.

What are the strategic priorities for the UDF of Belarus 2023+? How to strike the balance between the UDF’s domestic advocacy and international engagement? What support is needed, domestically and internationally? How can the EU, the UK and the US further support the UDF’s fight for democracy? Are there any restrictions for this support? These and other questions will be discussed in a panel discussion organised by the Oxford Belarus Observatory, in partnership with the Research Center of  Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Office, and the IGSD, University of Warwick.

The discussion will be held in an online format via ZOOM with Belarusian simultaneous translation.



Please register here to participate and ask questions to the speakers.