Belarus's illegitimate president Alexander Lukashenko unexpectedly decided to congratulate the Ukrainian people on Independence Day. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Telegram channel "Pool of the First." On the state holiday of August 24, the Belarusian leader recalled that "the historical fates of the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples are closely intertwined," and addressed wishes of "peace and happiness" to the Kyiv authorities and citizens.
"Centuries-Old Traditions" and an Invitation to Visit
In his address, Lukashenko stated that "the nations are bound by centuries-old traditions, memories of joint victories and heavy trials." According to him, "despite geopolitical upheavals, future generations of Belarusians and Ukrainians will preserve the eternal friendly and kinship ties," and in the future the two countries will allegedly resume "mutually beneficial cooperation on the principles of trust, respect, and equality." The press service of the Belarusian leader added that "hospitality Belarus is always open to every Ukrainian who comes with good intentions," and conveyed wishes of "health and prosperity" to the citizens of Ukraine.
What Was Left Out of the Congratulation
At the same time, the address did not contain a single word about the fact that for more than four years the Lukashenko regime has been helping Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to wage a full-scale war against Ukraine. Right at the beginning of the invasion, Minsk allowed Russian troops to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground: tens of thousands of Russian soldiers entered Ukraine through it. Since then, Moscow has been using Belarusian bases and training grounds, the two countries regularly hold joint exercises, and Russian tactical nuclear weapons and "Oreshnik" hypersonic missiles are deployed on Belarusian territory.
Minsk's Military Role and NATO's Assessment
In 2026, Ukraine stated that Russia plans to establish ground-based control points for long-range strike drones on Belarusian territory, and Kyiv accused Minsk of using equipment on its territory to facilitate Russian attacks. Lukashenko himself continues to claim that he does not plan to send the Belarusian army to fight against Ukraine, however, this does not negate the fact of providing Russia with territory and military infrastructure. NATO directly classifies Belarus among the states supporting the Russian military machine.
Context: Who Else Addressed the Ukrainians
Lukashenko's congratulation came against the backdrop of other addresses on Independence Day: on August 24, Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on the state holiday, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also publicly addressed the Ukrainian people. The contrast between these statements and Minsk's rhetoric only underscores how cynically "centuries-old traditions" sound from the lips of the Belarusian leader against the backdrop of an ongoing war.
