Zelensky urges Belarusians to seek independence during visit to Vilnius

VILNIUS - Marking the anniversary of the 1863-1864 uprising, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Vilnius on Sunday that Belarus is still forced to exist as a Russian general governorate, but that Belarusians must strive for genuine independence.

"Belarusians still have to win real independence and real protection of life. For now, sadly, Lukashenko's white spitz has been granted more rights than the people of Belarus. There was a chance in 2020 to change this. And, I'm sure, there will be another chance. But back then, support for Belarusians was simply not enough. And 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 during Sunday Mass at Vilnius Cathedral commemorating the uprising.

The Ukrainian leader said the mass protests that took place in Belarus in 2020 should have received much stronger support from Europe and the wider international community.

"Europe and the world should have supported the people who rose up. History would have been different - and safer," the president said.

"I want to say this directly to the people of Belarus: you are a European nation. And you will stand together with all our nations in a united, free Europe. A peaceful Europe. A strong Europe. You cannot be erased. None of us can be erased," he said.

Zelensky said communications used for Russian Shahed drone attacks are also maintained from Belarus, adding that Russia is using the country as "a platform to blackmail Europe and the world."

"Belarusian industry works for Russia's war, and Belarusian trade links help Putin buy components needed to build threats against all of us in Europe," the president said.

"That is why Europe must not lose any nation that lives by freedom. That is why Europe must not lose time. That is why every day, all of us in Europe must work for a strong Europe," he said.

Zelensky also said that European politicians should appreciate the fact that they represent free and independent states and no longer need to lead uprisings against empires or occupiers, but stressed it is still too early for Europe to relax.

"It is too early to relax while Russia's war machine is still running and while dictators around Europe are not weakening," the president said.

"Russia has no missiles that can cancel the simple fact that Europe's nations are free," he said. "Europe must act, the war must end, and security must be guaranteed.'

Zelensky and Polish President Karol Nawrocki visited Lithuania on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the uprising.

The 1863-1864 uprising in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, comprising the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, was the fiercest and longest-lasting national and social liberation movement in the Russian Empire in the 19th century.

The uprising, which covered the Kingdom of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus and part of Ukraine, was crushed by tsarist forces, but it still has special significance for the peoples who fought against oppression.

The anniversary of the start of the 1863-1864 uprising against the occupying rule of the Russian Empire is commemorated on January 22.