The President’s telegram of congratulations reads, in particular:
“It is symbolic that this important holiday is being celebrated on the day marking the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders – a day that embodies the courage and heroism of the Belarusian people, their spirit of self-sacrifice and patriotism. Russia and Belarus defended freedom and independence together and together shared the sorrow of loss and the joy of victory.
The many centuries of a history of brotherhood between the peoples of our two countries continues today to be the guarantee of progress in developing equal and mutually beneficial cooperation that will help us move toward together along the road of democratic reform in the interests of raising the prosperity and living standards of our citizens.”