Zelenskyy: Lukashenko wanted presidential meeting, but it’s Tsikhanouskaya who is here in Kyiv

May 26, 2026 - 14:11

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's recent statement that he is willing to meet with the Ukrainian president, pointing out that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader in exile, has just arrived in Kyiv.

Source: Zelenskyy's speech at the 4th International Summit of Cities and Regions

Quote: "For the first time, representatives of Belarus are present at a meeting of this format. And Lukashenko said recently that it's time the presidents of Ukraine and Belarus finally met. It's interesting how it's turned out: it was Lukashenko who said that, but Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has arrived instead."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that most of those present clearly understand and feel the meaning of the phrase "For our freedom and yours", a historical slogan associated with mutual solidarity in struggles for independence and freedom.

"This is exactly how we are defending ourselves in Ukraine now, exactly how the freedom and independence of many others in Europe were defended, and exactly how the entire free world lives – thanks to the willingness of others to come to the aid of the one suffering from unjust strikes and wars of aggression," he said.

Background:

On the morning of 25 May, Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Kyiv on her first official visit.
On 21 May, Lukashenko claimed that he is open to holding talks with Zelenskyy and is willing to meet him anywhere. "If he [Zelenskyy – ed.] wants to discuss something, seek advice, or anything else, he is welcome to; we are open to this. I am willing to meet him at any location – Ukraine or Belarus – and discuss the issues in Belarusian-Ukrainian relations," he said.
The Ukrainian President's Office later described Lukashenko's declaration that he is willing to meet Zelenskyy anywhere, including in Ukraine, as "meaningless".