May 9, Pozirk. Belarus’ opposition leader used the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II to draw parallels between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler, while her chief rival, Alaksandar Łukašenka, played up the Soviet Union’s role in the Nazi’s defeat without mentioning the other Allies.
“The war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine shows us that not everyone has learned a lesson from the events of 80 years ago,” Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said in a video address on the occasion of Victory Day, May 9.
“Once again, a tyrant has decided that he has the right to enslave others,” she said in an apparent reference to Putin. “Again, innocent people are being killed.”
In a reference to Łukašenka, she said that her country “is under the reign of tyranny.”
For his part, the Belarusian ruler called Victory Day a “sacred holiday” that “resonates in our hearts with great joy and immense gratitude to the Soviet people, who crushed fascism and saved the future of humanity at the cost of millions of lives.”
“Born of hatred and ideas of world domination, the war left unhealing wounds in every corner and in every family of Belarus from the heinous crimes of Hitler’s executioners and their henchmen,” Łukašenka said in a message distributed by his press office.
Other quotes by Cichanoŭskaja:
This day reminds us of “human courage and self-sacrifice” and of those who “fought for peace and freedom.” So it is not only a day of victory, but also a day of remembrance.
“This day also reminds us of the consequences of impunity and unlimited power, when tyrants are willing to sacrifice people’s lives in the name of ideology and their own ambitions.”
Cichanoŭskaja accused Belarusian authorities of trying to drag the Belarusian people into the war. TV exposes “internal and external enemies” and the war has become a cult, she said.
“Those who oppose the war are called extremists and traitors. How come that in Belarus, where peace is so valued, even the words ‘No to war!’ have become a crime?” she asked.
Cichanoŭskaja also stressed that Belarusians “have never been aggressors.” It is “hard to find a more peace-loving nation than Belarusians.”
“We know how to make friends and find a common language with our neighbors. But we also know how to stand up for ourselves and for those who are in trouble. We know how to fight and win. Dear Belarusians, on this day I want to wish us all peace. Freedom for Belarusians and victory over the aggressor for Ukraine!”
Quotes by Łukašenka:
“The heroic struggle against the enemy and the selfless work in the rear became a manifestation of the nationwide resistance and the willingness of Belarusians to sacrifice themselves.”
“The unity of our ancestors, their love for the Motherland and sincere faith in victory have forever become the moral guidelines” for “grateful generations of the peaceful and independent Belarusian state.”
Decades later, the truth about the victory protects Belarus “from the threats of modern times, and the whole of humanity – from the revival of the destructive ideas of Nazism.”
“The Belarusian people zealously honors the memory of the dead and will never betray the names of innocent martyrs and the glory of courageous defenders and liberators.”
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It should be noted that Łukašenka sided with the Kremlin in the full-scale war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine.
Officials in Minsk often accuse Western states of trying to drag Belarus into the war and even of making territorial claims.
Meanwhile, Łukašenka allowed Russia to deploy its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. He also threatened neighboring countries on several occasions.
Also read: Opposition leader: Moscow, Minsk use nuclear drills to threaten Europe
