Ukraine slams Łukašenka’s Independence Day message

August 24, BPN. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized Alaksandr Łukašenka’s message to the Ukrainian people on Independence Day, August 24.

“It seems that Łukašenka really believes that the world does not notice his active participation in crimes against UA. Here is why, launching deadly missiles at us, he cynically wishes us a ‘peaceful sky,’” Mykhaylo Podolyak tweeted.

“This blood-soaked clownery has been recorded and will have concrete consequences, right after the fall of the barbarian ru-empire,” he added.

Today’s “contradictions” will not destroy “the centuries-old foundations of sincere good neighborly relations between the peoples of the two countries,” Łukašenka’s message reads.

“Belarus will continue to stand up for the preservation of concord, development of friendly and mutually respectful contacts at all levels,” he said.

Łukašenka wished Ukrainians “peaceful skies, tolerance, courage, strength and success in restoring a decent life.”

On February 24, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk deny Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.

A 20,000-strong grouping of Russian forces crossed into Ukraine from Belarus at the outset of the war, Alaksandr Łukašenka told AFP in an interview on July 21. Russian troops retreated from northern Ukraine later.