Dear Belarusians,
Today, we mark 35 years since the restoration of Belarus’s independence.
Many generations of Belarusians dreamed of having their own state. They fought for it, were imprisoned, and went into exile.
And our generation was the first to have the chance to live in an independent country of our own.
Perhaps that is why, for a long time, we took independence for granted. We thought it was something that would never go away.
Today, we understand how fragile it is.
We see this in Ukraine, which is paying a terrible price for the right to remain independent. And we see it in Belarus, where Russia is penetrating ever deeper into our military, economic, information, and cultural spheres.
The question is more urgent than ever: can we preserve Belarus as a truly independent country?
Independence means the right to decide our own future. To choose our leaders. To speak our own language. To teach our children our history. To decide for ourselves whom to be friends with and which alliances to join. And to know that decisions about Belarus are made in Belarus, not in Moscow.
Without independence, there will be neither freedom nor democracy. There will be no future either.
It seems to me that independence is something that can unite all Belarusians today.
Those who took to the streets in 2020 and those who did not. Those who live in Belarus and those in exile. People with different political views, even those who find themselves on opposite sides of the barricades.
And I want to address the people within the system separately — government officials, diplomats, and military personnel.
I know that many of you cherish Belarus and understand the danger of losing our independence. Many of you do not want Belarus to be dragged into war. You do not want our children to die for the sake of other people’s imperial ambitions and dictators.
And here, we have a common interest: preserving our country.
That is why we need a national dialogue — to end repression, peacefully lead the country out of the crisis, and preserve Belarus as an independent state.
Of course, much will depend on what happens in Ukraine. A strong Ukraine and a weakened Russia will give us a chance to pull Belarus out of Russia’s orbit.
Yes, we have many friends and allies who are ready to help. But no one will win freedom for us, the Belarusians. This is our responsibility. And our task.
History has already shown that we know how to find a way out even in the most difficult times, when the fate of the country is at stake.
And August 25, 1991, was one such day.
Happy Restoration of Independence Day, dear Belarusians!
Long Live Belarus!
