News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 9 May (BelTA) – It is important to remember tragic lessons of the past war. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement in his speech during the army parade held in Minsk on 9 May to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Soviet nation’s victory in the Great Patriotic War, BelTA has learned.

According to the President, on the great and bright day of victory in May many people tend to believe that wars will never happen again. “But new times have not delivered the mankind from wars. Today we see that the tragic lessons of the war have been forgotten. We don’t see the force of law. We see that force is the law. Once again shells explode, fires are ablaze and people die. Both the world and Europe are getting closer to the dangerous line,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

“It has never been more important to remember lessons of the Great Patriotic War as it is today. Politicians, leaders, and nations must remember these lessons. There is nothing more precious than peace. It is the most important lesson. No ambitions, no calculations, no interests are worth sacrificing human lives,” the Belarusian head of state was convinced.

Alexander Lukashenko said he believes that the wise experience of the heads of state of the Allied countries, who managed to overcome irreconcilable political differences to defeat the Nazi together, would be useful for all the present political leaders.

Alexander Lukashenko said it was deeply symbolical that representatives of the Russian army and the U.S. army took part in the army parade in Minsk together with Belarusian military personnel. “At the same time Belarusian military personnel marched in the parade in Moscow and military hardware created with assistance of Belarusian defense industries was demonstrated,” said the President.

“We have to be able to protect peace,” stressed the head of state.

In his speech the Belarus President also stressed that the Great Victory of 1945 also saved the Motherland from enslavement, freed Europe, and gave life and freedom to the entire world. “We secured the victory after four years of fierce fighting, blood and victims. The way from the Brest Fortress to Berlin was inhumanely hard,” said the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that the Belarusian land faced the main assault of the Nazi forces. The fiercest battles and the most tragic events took place in Belarus at the beginning of the war. “It was in Belarusian lands that Hitler’s blitzkrieg war plans were buried and the foundation of the future Great Victory was laid. The enemy sent hundreds of thousands of punishment troops against us. They acted with barbaric primeval ferocity. They razed our towns and villages, hanged, shot, and burnt alive our women, children, and old people. We faced a total annihilation war.”

“But we were not broken! We endured and prevailed! But in this battle Belarus lost a lot. Not even time can make this terrible pain go away,” said the head of state.

Addressing Great Patriotic War veterans, the President stressed that the life of their generation is a genuine example of valor, patriotism and spiritual greatness. "We learn from you how to sincerely love the Motherland and believe in its future. We bow low to you and are immensely grateful for peace and calm! Belarus revers and will always remember your heroic deeds!" said the Belarusian leader.