“Talking about war is not easy. Sometimes it seems like nothing new can be said. From childhood, we are taught that war is a tragedy and that nothing can justify brutal bloodshed, ruined cities, and endless deaths. In schools and universities, we hear about the value of human life. So how has this full-scale war in Ukraine continued for three years?
Russia avoids the word “war”. We won’t hear the Putin regime speak about destruction and death. We won’t be told about more than 600 murdered children and the hundreds of men and women, young and old, who die every day. Instead, propaganda speaks of “heroism” and “courage”. Again and again, we hear tales of “security” and “stability”.
But let’s face the truth. We used to think, “As long as there is no war, everything’s fine”. Yet the war is already here – and every day, Russia multiplies its horrors. We may try not to notice the bombing of residential buildings, ignore the violence in Bucha and Irpin, avoid the news, attempt to live our lives as usual and detach from reality. But people will not stop dying.
Russia has deeply entrenched itself in our country and made Belarus an accomplice in this war. But Belarusians do not want such a “partner” — neither as a “big brother”, nor as a creditor, nor as a political ally. We, Belarusians, are a self-sufficient nation. We stand against war and want to raise children who value peace and freedom and do not isolate themselves with barbed wire.
That is why I appeal to you: Do not let the “Russian world” take root in you. Do not believe a single word about “necessary sacrifices” and “denazification”. As possible negotiations appear on the horizon, we all hope that peace will soon come to Ukraine. But we must remember who started this war and who bears responsibility for hundreds of thousands of senseless deaths”.
