Opposition leader lauds Poland for supporting Belarusians’ fight for freedom

November 11, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja thanked Poland for its support in the fight for the freedom in Belarus on Poland’s Independence Day.

“We cherish our strong historical connections, common heroes and cultural ties,” the politician tweeted. “Our nations will forever be joined in friendship.”

Alaksandr Łukašenka has also sent a congratulatory message to the Poles on Independence Day, in which he severely criticized Polish politicians and urged Poles to “make the right choice” in the next elections.

In recent years, bilateral relations deteriorated dramatically as Belarusian authorities and state-run media have taken a hardline anti-Polish stance. Belarusian officials have accused Warsaw of toying with plans to invade Belarus to annex its western regions.

Warsaw criticized Minsk for alleged human rights abuses, including the imprisonment of Polish minority activists, its role in orchestrating the migrant crisis, and involvement in Russia’s assault on Ukraine, as well as the destruction of at least 13 Polish memorial sites.