Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Honorable President Zelenskyy, dear Ukrainians,
For the fourth year now, the Ukrainian people are marking Independence Day under the harsh conditions of a full-scale war.
You are forced to pay the highest price for your independence. But you are defending not only your land. You are defending the right of all people to live in freedom.
Your resilience and courage have become a shining example for the whole world, but especially for Belarusians.
We understand your pain. We support your struggle. Belarusians stand with you. Our fighters are at the front, our activists and volunteers are working tirelessly. Belarusians all around the world are donating money. And in Lukashenka’s prisons, there are hundreds of Belarusians who have suffered for supporting Ukraine. And we continue to fight for their release.
We share the same enemy with Ukraine. Russian imperialism has brought war to your land and made Belarus a hostage against the will of its people.
But we know that your victory will bring a chance of freedom to Belarus as well. Without a free Ukraine, Belarus can’t be free. Just as without a free Belarus, Europe can’t be safe.
Belarusians and Ukrainians are united not only by a glorious history but also by a common future in the European family of free nations. And I believe that this day will surely come.
And today, on your Independence Day, I wish you strength to endure and defend your freedom. I wish you lasting and just peace, which the Ukrainian people undoubtedly deserve.
Long Live Belarus! Glory to Ukraine!”
