March 25, Pozirk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has published a Belarusian-language message of greetings to the Belarusians on the occasion of Dzień Voli (Freedom Day).
“This is the day of a nation that is yet to have its fair share of suffering to acquire true independence and real security,” Zelensky says on his X account.
“The fact that Alaksandar Łukašenka has chosen this particular day for his trip to Pyongyang – farther away from his people and closer to his dream of lifelong family power – testifies very eloquently to his intentions.”
Zelensky wishes “freedom to the Belarusian people” and thanks “the Belarusians who stand by the Ukrainians to defend against the Russian aggression.”
He concludes his message with “Žyvie Biełaruś!” (Long Live Belarus!), a popular opposition greeting banned in Belarus since 2022.
Opponents of Alaksandr Łukašenka widely celebrate March 25, the anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of the 1918-1919 Belarusian People’s Republic (BNR), as Freedom Day. No public events linked to the anniversary have been tolerated in Belarus since 2020, but Belarusians living in Lithuania, Poland, the United States and other countries mark Freedom Day with rallies, demonstrations, flower-laying ceremonies, concerts, parties and other events. Belarus’ Investigative Committee has warned that “extremist groups” use the date for “discrediting Belarus in the international arena,” and that Belarusians taking part in their events will face criminal prosecution and property confiscation in their home country.
