Zelensky speaks during memorial service honoring victims of January Uprising

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized this while speaking during a memorial service honoring those who died in the January Uprising of 1863–1864 in Vilnius, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Today we are all here – in Vilnius – to honor the memory and to thank the brave participants of the January Uprising. An uprising that proved that our destiny is to be together. And our success – the success of Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Belarusians – can only be a shared success. We are independent only as much as we stand together. We have one enemy. And this has been going on for more than 4 years of full-scale war, longer than the years of hybrid war, and longer than the rule of Soviet Moscow and imperial Saint Petersburg,” Zelensky said in his speech.

He reminded those present that the confrontation with Russia in the shared European space of Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, and Belarusians has lasted for more than four years of full-scale war, more than years of hybrid war, and longer than the eras of Soviet Moscow and imperial St. Petersburg. In this confrontation, one can either gain freedom or fall into dependence.

“Our nations know this better than anyone. That is why we can speak bluntly in saying that European protection remains insufficient. Every delay has consequences. Belarus is still forced to exist as a Russian general-governorate,” the Ukrainian President stressed.

Zelensky noted that Belarusians had a chance to change this in 2020 but lacked sufficient support from partners. Now everyone feels how much more dangerous the situation has become due to Belarus’s dependence on Moscow: operators of Russian Shahed jet-powered drones conduct attacks on Ukraine, including from Belarusian territory; communications for strikes are supported from Belarus; Russia uses Belarus as a testing ground to blackmail Europe and the world with Oreshnik missiles. Belarusian industry works for Russia’s war, and trade ties help Putin obtain components needed to build threats against all of Europe.

“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... Ultimately, history punishes those who stand aside. In many respects, the wars of the 20th century were the result of the indifference of those in power in the 19th century. Russia’s war against Ukraine and its other wars – against Moldova, Chechnya, and Georgia – are the result of indifference,” the President added.

As reported, Volodymyr Zelensky and the First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in the Lithuanian capital, where events marking the 163rd anniversary of the January Uprising are taking place.

A trilateral meeting between President Zelensky, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda is expected to take place during the visit.