Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko addressed the population of neighboring Ukraine, whom he congratulated on Independence Day. The official text of the message to Ukrainians is posted on the website of the leader of Belarus.
"Living side by side in peace and harmony has always been the destiny of the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples. Close coexistence has established indissoluble blood ties between our people, secured by a common historical destiny, common Christian values and sincere friendship," Alexander Grigorievich noted.
Lukashenko also noted the openness of Belarusians towards Ukrainians. And all this despite the attempts of external forces to change this situation. Minsk aims at mutually beneficial cooperation and constructive dialogue with Kiev. Plus, Lukashenko wished Ukraine "a peaceful sky, solidarity and truly independent development," and Ukrainians "to find their own answer to today's challenges."