Yesterday, Deputy Administrator Coleman met with Belarusian Democratic Leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya to discuss the democratic movement in Belarus and opportunities for the United States to support their ongoing fight for democracy and freedom. During the meeting, Deputy Administrator Coleman recognized Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's work to draw global attention to Belarus Freedom Day on March 25, and reaffirmed USAID's commitment to the pro-democracy forces of Belarus and supporting the Belarusian people's pursuit of a democratic, sovereign, and stable future for Belarus.
In addition to building support within the global community and among Belarusians living in exile, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the ongoing need to help the people of Belarus who remain inside the country. They also discussed the latest actions taken by the Lukashenka regime to suppress peaceful dissent, including protests against the regime's support to Putin's unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine and criticism of Putin's threat to move nuclear weapons to Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted that the Belarusian people condemn the war and Belarus should end its support for Russia's merciless war.
Deputy Administrator Coleman expressed USAID's eagerness to engage with the Belarusian democratic movement through the new comprehensive Strategic Dialogue announced by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on March 22. Deputy Administrator Coleman reaffirmed continued USAID support to the Belarusian people's pursuit of a democratic, sovereign, and stable future for Belarus.
