Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Belarus, Ukraine, and the Cost of Freedom

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, widely acknowledged as the winner of the August 2020 election, joins Amanda and Nathalie for a conversation on democracy, courage, and the cost of freedom. She reflects on her unexpected path from teacher to political leader, the intertwined struggles of Belarus and Ukraine, and what it means to keep hope alive in exile. From fear and resilience to the power of women’s leadership, Sviatlana offers a unique view of what it means to fight for a country’s future.


Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus.

Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.

Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.

Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.