Zelenskyy: Lukashenko's spitz has more rights than Belarusian people
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Belarus is still forced to exist as a Russian-governed territory, where even the dog of self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko has more rights than the people.
Source: Zelenskyy in a speech in Lithuania on the anniversary of the January Uprising
Details: Zelenskyy noted that Belarus "is still forced to exist as a Russian governorate".
Quote: "For now, sadly, Lukashenko's white spitz has been granted more rights than the people of Belarus. There was a chance in 2020 to change this. And, I'm sure, there will be another chance. But back then, support for Belarusians was simply not enough. And now we all feel how much harder, how much more expensive, and how much more dangerous it has become for everyone because of Belarus's dependence on Moscow – a dependence that is not decreasing."
Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that "Europe must not lose any nation that lives by freedom" and that it "must not lose time".
He added that if the Belarusian uprising in 2020 had been successful, it would have prevented the threats emerging today. "Europe and the world should have supported the people who rose up, and history would have been different – safer," the president noted.
Zelenskyy said that "to a large extent, the wars of the 20th century were the result of the indifference of the world's powers in the 19th century".
Quote: "I want to say something directly to the Belarusian people. You are a European nation that will stand together with all our peoples in a united, free Europe. A peaceful Europe. A strong Europe. You cannot be erased. None of us can be erased. I thank all Belarusian volunteers who are fighting for our independence in Ukraine and for the historical opportunity for their own country."
For reference: The January Uprising, which began on 22 January 1863 in the Russian-controlled Kingdom of Poland, was the longest-lasting rebellion in partitioned Poland. Its aim was to end Russian rule over part of Poland and restore the country's independence. The uprising continued until 1864, when the last insurgents were captured by Russian forces. Alongside the Poles, Lithuanians, Belarusians and Ukrainians took up arms in the struggle for freedom. The rebellion involved citizens from all corners of society and had far-reaching consequences for both Poland and the wider world.
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