Sánchez conveys to Tikhanovskaya Spain’s commitment to European sanctions against Lukashenko

Eduardo González The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, received Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya at the Moncloa Palace complex on Tuesday. He conveyed his support for "the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people" and Spain's commitment to the sanctions imposed by the European Union against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. "There are those who, faced with darkness, choose not to silence their voices," Sánchez posted on social media. "Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is leading a tireless fight against violence and repression. Figures like her are more necessary than ever," he continued. According to a press release from Moncloa Palace, Sánchez and Tikhanovskaya discussed the situation in the country and the need to continue making progress in the process of releasing political prisoners. The Prime Minister also reiterated Spain's support for the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and emphasized the government's commitment to implementing the sanctions imposed by the European Union, which are aligned with the response to Russia. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was received by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, to whom the opposition leader presented the Medal of Merit for his contribution to democracy, society, and development in Belarus. During the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Spain's commitment to the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and to the unconditional release of all political prisoners. He also expressed Spain's support for the victims of the Lukashenko regime, which last year materialized in a voluntary contribution of €50,000 from Spain to the International Humanitarian Fund for Victims of Repression in Belarus—a contribution that will be renewed this year. Tikhanovskaya was also received by the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán, in the Senate's Presidential Offices. Sanctions The European Union has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Belarus in response to human rights violations, its support for Russia's war against Ukraine, and its hybrid attacks against the EU. The EU adopted stringent sanctions in response to the fraudulent presidential elections of August 2020 and the brutal crackdown by Belarusian security forces on peaceful protesters, opposition members, and journalists. These sanctions, which aim to pressure Belarusian political leaders to prevent further acts of violence and repression, release all political prisoners and other unjustly imprisoned individuals, and initiate a genuine and inclusive national dialogue with the whole of society, were last extended until February 28, 2027. Currently, 310 individuals and 46 entities are subject to sanctions under this regime. Between 2021 and 2025, the Council expanded the scope of the sanctions regime against Belarus to include individuals and entities involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and hybrid attacks against EU countries. On December 15, the European Union further extended these sanctions following Belarusian incursions into Lithuanian airspace using weather balloons and drones. The EU has also adopted individual and economic sanctions in response to the Lukashenko regime’s continued support for Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions, which are based on those adopted against Russia, include a ban on the entry of individuals into the territory of the European Union, the freezing of assets belonging to individuals and entities, and a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to the individuals and entities included on the list. The economic sanctions target the financial, commercial, energy, transport, technology, and defense sectors of Belarus, as well as services provided to Russia or Russian nationals. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in Spain Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's last visit to Spain took place in June 2025, when she was received by José Manuel Albares, who reiterated Spain's "firm commitment to freedom and democracy" in her country. That same month, the Spanish government celebrated the release of her husband, the Belarusian opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky, and thirteen other political prisoners, and expressed its gratitude for "the diplomatic involvement of the United States in achieving this result." Sergei Tikhanovsky was arrested in 2020 two days after announcing his intention to run in the presidential elections against President Alexander Lukashenko. As a result, his wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, ran in those elections, but was defeated in a vote whose results she refused to recognize, calling them fraudulent. In March 2023, a Minsk court sentenced Tikhanovskaya to fifteen years in prison in absentia, a sentence that was rejected by the Spanish government “in the strongest terms.” In December 2021, Tikhanovsky was sentenced to 18 years in prison for “organizing mass riots, inciting hatred, and promoting actions that seriously disrupt public order.”

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