The Diplomat
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, received Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, at the ministerial headquarters in the Viana Palace in Madrid, this Friday. He reiterated Spain’s “firm commitment to freedom and democracy” in her country.
During the meeting, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they discussed, among other things, the situation of the Belarusian diaspora in Spain and Spain’s recent voluntary contribution in support of the victims of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s repression.
In April 2025, Spain made a contribution to the International Humanitarian Fund for Victims of Repression in Belarus, in support of political prisoners and victims. This aid will contribute to providing comprehensive humanitarian support to victims of repression in Belarus, as well as those abroad.
The increasing militarization of social life and education in Belarus following the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine was also discussed. In this regard, the minister recalled the various sanctions packages approved by the EU. “We must maintain our pressure on Belarus with restrictive measures, both in response to the internal situation and in response to the regime’s support for Russian aggression against Ukraine,” Albares reiterated.