Kiev on Wednesday rejected what it described as a “cynical” choice on Independence Day by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, sharply criticizing Minsk for allowing Russia to launch attacks on Ukraine from Belarusian territory, Reuters reports.
In a surprise message posted on his website to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a key ally of Russia that invaded Ukraine six months ago, addressed Ukrainians on Wednesday. Sky, endurance, courage and the strength to return to the good life.”
“I firmly believe that the current differences cannot destroy the centuries-old basis of good relations between the peoples of the two countries,” President Lukashenko said in the message. He promised that Belarus would continue to advocate for “strengthening of friendly relations based on mutual respect at all levels” with Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s adviser, Myhailo Podoliak, strongly criticized the Belarusian leader’s statement on Twitter. “Lukasenko really thinks the world is ignoring his participation in crimes against Ukraine. That’s why he cynically prefers ‘quiet skies’ while allowing killer missiles to hit us,” Podoliak wrote, according to Akerpress.
Lukashenko’s current distaste for the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine contrasts with many of his recent statements.
In July, he described Belarus as “the only country in the world that supports Russia in its fight against Nazism,” echoing Moscow’s claim that it was carrying out a “special military operation” in Ukraine to purge and purge radical nationalists.
Kiev and its allies say Russia is waging an unjustified and unprovoked war of imperial aggression against Ukraine.
Lukashenko had previously said that the Republic of Belarus had been “dragged” into the war by Kiev’s actions and that Belarusian air defense had shot down several Ukrainian missiles. Kiev denies firing at targets on Belarusian territory.
On August 24, Ukrainians celebrate the most important national holiday – Independence Day of Ukraine. On this day, in 1991, the Supreme Rada of the then Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, which formed the basis for the creation of the current Ukrainian state.
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