Lukashenko congratulated Ukrainians on the anniversary of independence. (Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)
Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
chose to congratulate Ukrainians on the 35th anniversary of independence. The
dictator said that “the historical destinies of the Belarusian and Ukrainian
peoples are closely intertwined,” the Belarusian president’s website reported.
“Our nations are connected by centuries-old traditions,
memories of shared victories and difficult trials,” Lukashenko claimed.
He also expressed confidence that despite “geopolitical
upheavals,” future generations of Belarusians and Ukrainians would “preserve
their age-old friendly and family ties,” while the two capitals would restore
“mutually beneficial cooperation based on trust, respect and equality.”
“Hospitable Belarus is always open to every Ukrainian who
comes with good intentions,” Lukashenko said, wishing Ukrainian citizens
“health and prosperity, and their country — peace and happiness.”
On July 28, the Forum of Democratic Forces of Belarus
released a letter saying that the Office of the President of Ukraine had asked
the Prosecutor General’s Office to consider opening criminal proceedings
against Lukashenko. In May, the Belarusian opposition called on Kyiv to hold
Lukashenko accountable for war crimes, genocide and state terror.
The Belarusian opposition accuses the Belarusian dictator of
complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine and of forcibly transferring at
least 2,442 Ukrainian children to Belarus.
Lukashenko has repeatedly congratulated Ukraine on
Independence Day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. In 2024, the
dictator said he had always regarded Ukraine “with special respect and warmth.”
That same year, Iran’s Foreign Ministry also congratulated
Ukraine on Independence Day. Iran also supports Russian aggression. The
ministry posted a brief congratulatory message on X featuring the
flags of both countries.
Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its independence on
Aug. 24. For more than 12 years — one-third of that period — the country has
been at war with Russia. Russian aggression has been and remains the greatest
threat to Ukrainian independence, which had previously weathered waves of
political and economic crises.
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