Unity is the main condition for our development as a nation

National Unity Day symbolises the aspiration of Belarusians to live in their own state, on their native land, as stressed by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, on September 17th at a solemn event marking this important national holiday

The Head of State noted that for a long time, the modest abode of Belarusians at the crossroads of civilisations oftentimes became a firing ground for foreign wars and a place for the power players to fight against each other. “Our homes were burnt, our property was looted. Lands were divided among principalities, voivodeships, and provinces, while people were divided by language, faith, and ideological beliefs. Our ancestors looked death in the eye more than once, yet each time they rose from their knees unbowed, and wiping away sweat and tears, moved forward. This is still relevant today,” stated the President.  
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that the road to gaining their own statehood opened up for Belarusians at the beginning of the last century. “The previous interethnic disputes came to an end, territorial claims were abandoned, and the Belarusian national state was established on January 1st, 1919. We got a historic chance to build our own home, live, work, raise children in peace and harmony, and become full masters of our own fate. That was a chance back in 1919. However, the severe consequences of the First World War, the escalating Civil War, and the intervention of a coalition of Western countries prevented the dreams of our compatriots for a peaceful and happy life from coming true,” said the Belarusian leader. “The voice of the newly created Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic was barely heard against that backdrop — possibly because there was no unity within it. In contrast, there were those who thought only about personal gain and their own — rather than people’s — interests. Representatives of different national minorities were hastily appointing themselves as authorities. Everyone who was eager to govern the new state hid behind the name of the Belarusian people, while the people — impoverished and hungry, uneducated and poorly dressed, exhausted by war and devastation — only thought about how to survive. Perhaps if we had had strong power and consent at the dawn of the last century, we would have endured and the tragedy due to the Riga Treaty, which instantly made 4.5 million sons and daughters of Belarus strangers to one another on their native land, would not have happened. All guarantees of national and cultural life as part of the Polish state remained merely on paper.” According to the President, Western Belarus had zero autonomy, and the Belarusian culture existed in conditions of constant struggle for survival as national schools, theatres, and newspapers began to disappear. “The nation was being destroyed. Over 3,000 people imprisoned due to political reasons became victims of inhuman repressions. Those who refused to become Polonised, who spoke, prayed, and sang lullabies to their children in their mother tongue were subjected to torture and imprisonment in concentration camps and prisons. 
According to the President, the heroic ancestors of Belarusians — hardened in the national liberation movement — became an insurmountable shield of resistance on the way of the Nazi fascist invasion during the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War. They rebuilt the country from the ashes in the post-war years, overcame the chaos of the 1990s, and have built a sovereign and independent state. “For the first time in their history, they not only built it but also preserved it. We did it together, including those sitting in this hall,” stated the Belarusian leader. “Through the harsh trials of time and serious losses, Belarus has been steadily moving forward along the path of peace and creation for 85 years while augmenting national wealth based on the experience of previous generations,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko. “Even now, when NATO guns are aimed at us from the territories of our western and southern neighbours, when kilometres of fences and minefields are multiplying along our borders, we respond simply and in the best traditions of the ‘last dictatorship of Europe’ by opening our borders and not asking for permits or visas to visit our country. People on the other side [of the border] hear us — they arrive, look and draw conclusions not in favour of those who forbid them to come here.”  
The President drew special attention to the fact, “Belarus has been and remains a proponent of peace. Our large-scale peace initiatives are voiced from the rostrum of the United Nations and at international forums. We propose to discuss the Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st century. You know who does not want this multipolarity… Yet, it can no longer be avoided. Multipolarity is not just around the corner, it is already here. We will certainly find a way out of the global security crisis, since many countries of our planet are our closest allies.”  

Aleksandr Kulevsky

According to the Head of State, isolating Belarus is impossible, “We are increasingly being heard and supported in the world. I am absolutely convinced that the Western elites will soon understand that the only way is to come to an agreement. This is what our peoples want. We, Belarusians, are a peaceful and hardworking nation, and we do not want war. 
We believe that the day will come when peace will reign in the neighbouring countries and blood-related nations, close and distant friends will live in harmony and friendship. Belarus is ready to contribute to building peace and is doing everything for this. As I have already said, Belarusian peacefulness should not be misunderstood or mistaken for weakness. My statement is not bluff or exaggeration, either. Now more than ever, we have the means to respond. Therefore, be calm in this regard, live peacefully, do your work, raise your children.”  
The Head of State reminded that it was with the Red Army’s liberation campaign 85 years ago that the revival of the lost internal integrity of the Fatherland began. “Since that time, the Belarusian people have endured many trials, creating a unique space for dreams and for life at the crossroads of civilisations and paving the way to happiness in a continuous struggle for freedom, a better fate, and a native home,” remarked the President. “Belarusians overcame each stage of this challenging journey with dignity, relying on love for peace and truth, justice and patriotism, mutual respect and good neighbourliness. Note — we did not rely on aggression, cruelty, or superiority in relation to other countries and nations.” 
Aleksandr Lukashenko underscored that it is the unity of Belarusians that allowed the nation to withstand and overcome numerous difficulties.  

“We are united in our desire to live on our native land relying on our own mind and work. Unity is the main condition for our development as a nation,” declared the President. “Therefore, neither the brown plague nor the turbulent 1990s, or pandemics, attempts at colour revolutions, or predatory sanctions and military threats have defeated us. National Unity Day reminds us that no borders, no trials can break the spirit of the people as long as each of us keeps our Belarus in their heart.” 

Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the need to stop being shy about being Belarusians and to stop constantly looking back into the depths of the centuries or sideways. “We have what unites us and makes us happy on our native land. This is the glorious legacy of our ancestors and the equally bright achievements of our contemporaries. Shaped by the talent and efforts of many outstanding sons and daughters of the Belarusian land, our unique culture has long been an integral part of the common heritage of all mankind,” stressed the Head of State. The President noted with concern that today there are increasingly frequent attempts to ban or exclude it from the agenda along with the symbols of the Motherland, its millennia-old history, and everything that Belarusians take pride in.  
Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined that, despite the forces seeking to sow discord and hatred in Belarusian society, it is necessary to demonstrate unity and a shared spirit of traditions and the historical fate of the people.  

It is symbolic that on National Unity Day, the President launched the Belarusian campaign — Unity Marathon 

“It will be a marathon of the trinity of traditions — national culture, which we cherish and develop, the talents of our people, for which the Belarusian land is renowned, and the beauty of the Slavic soul, which fills the world around us with harmony and mutual understanding,” announced the Head of State. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this will give everyone the opportunity to feel the full palette of talents from Belarus and to touch the rich heritage of our national culture. “May the bright colours and melodies of creativity in every corner of the country awaken love for their Homeland in the hearts of Belarusians,” the President added. “This is the key to a decent future for our people and the sacred duty of our contemporaries, upon which life in a united family of patriots and workers — named Belarus — should be built. Let’s love, make friends, dream, work, and relax together in the Belarusian way! Let’s cherish and protect Belarus! This is what our ancestors bequeathed to us, and this is what we tell our descendants. We say this because time has chosen us!”

‘We will do everything to ensure that there is no more war on the Belarusian land’

Even during festive days, pressing and acute issues remain at the forefront of the President’s attention. The Head of State reminded that in his speech to the Belarusian people at the solemn gathering dedicated to Independence Day, he had already addressed working issues. This is becoming a tradition for significant, large-scale events.  
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the self-exiled opposition and their Western curators are once again trying to stir up society and create a situation of unrest in Belarus ahead of the presidential elections, beginning to formulate action plans. “All kinds of things have happened, including attacks in the media. We are trying to respond to this with dignity. The launch of our First News Channel serves as a confirmation of this. It is a fitting response,” the Belarusian leader pointed out. 
Our opponents also do not dismiss the possibility of armed attacks on Belarus. “As the Western intelligence services say, our people will fight for power here. We understand how it happens — the rabid ones from among Belarusians are in the lead followed by those who are not from here. We saw this in 2020, their plan failed then. However, they still consider this scenario today. They are preparing entire regiments. They used to be called Vlasov’s army. By the way, our Belarusians together with Russian Vlasov’s army penetrated into Kursk Region. There are no more than a hundred of them, but they all dream of coming here with weapons in hands,” the President recounted.  
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised that he was by no means trying to escalate the situation on that festive day. 

“I just want to quote one document to you. According to our intelligence services, during a closed part of negotiations with the participation of our self-exiled opposition in one of the countries — I will not name it for specific reasons — representatives of the USA made the following statement: from mid-September to early November, the USA expects a significant escalation of the military situation both from Moscow and from Kiev. At the front,” revealed the Head of State. 

Yegor Yermalitsky

“Western intelligence services are talking about Belarus as a possible site of escalation. It seems quiet, so far. Yes, [Ukrainian military] have entered Kursk but they will not hold on. Yet, that is not what Americans want. They need the war to continue until the last Ukrainian, better yet — until the last Russian. They need a war, and this quiet at the front is not what they want. They seek escalation. That is why they are talking about Belarus as a possible site for escalating the situation.” 
At the same time, regarding the escalation in the Belarusian direction, it is not about Belarus’ Armed Forces entering combat operations. “We will never do it unless a foreign boot steps on our land,” assured Aleksandr Lukashenko. According to the President, this refers to Kiev’s potential response to the flights of Russian drones over the Belarusian territory — a response that could go as far as attacks on border infrastructure. “In other words, Americans have instructed Kiev to attack our infrastructure along the southern border if appropriate circumstances arise. The reason is that Russian drones fly over the territory and near the territory of Belarus,” clarified the Belarusian leader. “I will tell you publicly that we have agreed with Ukrainians through certain channels that we will not highlight in the media the facts of drones — both Russian and Ukrainian — entering our territory,” noted the President. “Why is this happening? This is because both sides are bad at controlling their drones. Firstly, it is a new thing to them. Secondly, radioelectronic warfare systems are in operation and disrupt the drones’ course. We have found one of them just outside Bobruisk — in the centre of Belarus. Those were Ukrainian drones, not Russian ones. The other kind also happens, though. Anyway, we have reached an agreement.”   
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that puppeteers from Washington are nonetheless pushing Ukraine towards confrontation with Belarus. “I want to ask Americans: do you want peace, peace talks, or an escalation of the situation? I am asking it for a reason. The thing is that recently, they have been giving us frequent hints about negotiations. They have even put forward conditions for the negotiations. We have agreed. Then, how should we understand that?” the Belarusian leader posed the question. “This is their policy. It was like this before. After about 100 years, the same scenario is repeating itself. We have been through all of that because we live in the epicentre, at the crossroads of all paths.”   
The President also recalled the war with Napoleon’s army, the First World War, and other large-scale conflicts — all of them swept through Belarus, bringing a lot of grief and destruction. 

“History repeats itself. In this regard, I want to warn our opponents, our rivals, and those who still do not understand. Do not do that. It will benefit neither the European region nor the entire planet. Remember: an attack on Belarus would mean a third world war,” emphasised the President. “Therefore, under no circumstances must Ukrainians or Russians — they understand this perfectly well — or Americans, who want to sit it out across the ocean, do this.” 

In his speech during the high-profile patriotic forum, Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about the West’s plans to ‘remove him from the political agenda’. “This initiative comes from our fugitives. They cannot wait to take the President of Belarus out of the political stage. They have agreed that Lithuania — as it was on the eve or in the early days of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine — will initiate the consideration of the Belarusian issue at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The goal is to hold Belarus’ President accountable and to remove him from the political agenda. As they write, so that in case peace talks begin in Ukraine, the President of Belarus would not be able to participate in them. They know that we demand that Belarus’ interests be taken into account when concluding a peace treaty in Ukraine. They do not see our representation there,” recounted the Head of State. “I want them to hear today, from this high rostrum, that we are aware of all their plots, and they will not succeed. They will not be able to repeat what happened in 2020. We are people who know how to learn from the past. The issues are serious, but this does not mean that you need to be anxious or worried. We will do everything to ensure that there is no more war on our land — neither in our generation nor in yours. We, the older generation, are eager to pass on to you a peaceful, beautiful, and dignified land where you can live and raise your children.”   
The statement from the Belarusian leader was met with applause in the hall.

CONGRATULATIONS, BELARUS resounded in dozens of languages on National Unity Day

Greetings and wishes of prosperity and well-being on National Unity Day came to the Belarusian people from nearly all continents. As reported by Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, video postcards were received from more than 35 countries, including Austria, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Venezuela, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, India, Indonesia, Italy, Qatar, Kazakhstan, China, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Syria, the United States, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Finland, France, Japan, Azerbaijan, and Luxembourg. Foreign friends wished the Belarusian state and people prosperity and a bright future, as well as ‘unshakable national unity, eternal peace, and stability’.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by