"For years in a concrete prison cell, I asked God for you to stand strong." Statkevich congratulated Ukrainians on Independence Day
The ex-political prisoner and politician in his Telegram channel congratulated Ukraine and Ukrainians on Independence Day. "Your courage and resilience in defending the independence and freedom of your country evoke respect and admiration from the whole world," he writes. And asks for forgiveness for 2022.
Mikalai Statkevich. Photo from social networks
"My sincere congratulations on Independence Day to the worthy and courageous Ukrainian people!
Now, for independence, you have to wage a bloody and unequal war, during which many thousands of you have died, and in which not only your warriors at the front but also peaceful citizens — children, women, the elderly in every region of Ukraine — are under constant threat of death.
Your courage and resilience in defending the independence and freedom of your country evoke respect and admiration from the whole world. Especially — among the nations neighboring you, who understand that, in case of your defeat, their countries will become the next objects of Moscow's aggression. That is why many patriots from these countries have come to Ukraine to fight against the aggressor alongside you.
I am very ashamed that Belarus was used by the aggressor as a springboard for an attempt to quickly seize your capital. I am sure that without expecting this capture and a quick victory, the aggressor would not have embarked on his bloody adventure at all.
Unfortunately, exhausted by long resistance to the dictatorship, the imprisonment of many thousands of patriots, and the deliberate coercion of hundreds of thousands of opponents of the regime to emigrate before the war, Belarusian society failed to prevent the use of our land for aggression against the people closest to us. Forgive us, friends!
On this festive day for you, I wish you strength to stand strong and preserve your wonderful country! For yourselves and for all nations who long for freedom.
For years in a concrete prison cell, I asked God for this. My heart is with you. Hold on, friends!" he wrote.