In a speech in Vilnius, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the unity of Poland, Ukraine and Lithuania, adding that Belarus has yet to achieve true independence.
Zelensky said that, at the moment, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s white Spitz dog “has been given more rights than the people of Belarus.”
He added that Belarus had a chance to change this, referring to the peaceful protests of 2020, but “at that time, the support for Belarusians was simply not enough.”
“And now we all feel how much more difficult, how much more costly and how much more dangerous it has become for everyone because of Belarus’s dependence on Moscow – a dependence that is not diminishing,” Zelensky said.
It is known that Lukashenko allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory to launch attacks on Ukraine at the beginning of the aggression in 2022.
Russia still uses Belarusian industry, trade ties, and territory in its war against Ukraine.
Zelensky also said that Russian forces launch drones against Ukraine from Belarus, using the territory for communications and attack guidance.
“This is why Europe must not lose any nation living in freedom. This is why Europe must not waste time. This is why every day, all of us in Europe must work for a strong Europe,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Before the speech, Zelensky met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and discussed Ukraine’s energy crisis, military cooperation, and the progress of peace talks. They were joined by Polish President Karol Nawrocki.