November 11, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has posted a message of greetings on Poland’s Independence Day, stressing historic ties between Belarus and Poland and a shared commitment to a free and democratic Europe.
“Today we honor your courage, your hard-won freedom and the solidarity you’ve shown to Belarusians in our most challenging moments,” the politician said on X.
Alaksandar Łukašenka’s message to the Polish people today urged against endangering good neighborly relations, describing them as “a priceless gift that must not be jeopardized under any circumstances by border closures or threats to national security.”
Minsk’s relations with Warsaw have been strained since the disputed 2020 presidential election in Belarus. Poland views Belarus under Łukašenka’s rule as a source of hybrid threats.
Following the 2020 political crisis in Belarus, Poland supported pro-democracy activists and sheltered tens of thousands of political exiles. Many Belarusian political, public and cultural organizations as well as independent media outlets are currently based in Poland.
