Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Belarus is still being forced to exist as a Russian “general-governorate,” arguing that even the spitz dog of the country’s self-proclaimed leader enjoys more rights than the Belarusian people.
Speaking in Lithuania at an event marking the anniversary of the January Uprising, Zelensky said Belarus remains deeply dependent on Moscow, a dependency he said has only grown more dangerous over time.
“For now, Lukashenko’s white spitz has more rights than the people of Belarus, unfortunately,” Zelensky said, referring to Alexander Lukashenko. He said Belarusians had a chance to change that situation during the 2020 protests against Lukashenko’s rule but did not receive sufficient international support.
“There was a chance in 2020, and I am sure there will be another one,” Zelensky said.
“But at that time, support for the Belarusians was simply insufficient. Now we all feel how much harder, how much more expensive and how much more dangerous it has become for everyone because of Belarus’s dependence on Moscow – a dependence that is not decreasing.”
Zelensky said it is critical for Europe not to lose time or abandon nations that seek freedom. He argued that had the Belarusian uprising succeeded in 2020, many of today’s security threats could have been avoided.
“Europe and the world should have supported the people who rose up, and history would have been different – safer,” he said.
Drawing a broader historical parallel, Zelensky said many wars of the 20th century were the result of indifference by powerful states in the 19th century.
Addressing Belarusians directly, Zelensky said they remain a European nation with a future in a united and free Europe. He thanked Belarusian volunteers fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, saying they are battling not only for Ukraine’s independence but also for a historic chance for their own country.