Lukashenko urges Austria to celebrate 80th anniversary of victory over Nazism

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has called on Austria to join the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism.

In a letter to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Lukashenko wrote that the victory over Nazism was "a great historic event that united our peoples in a common struggle against the forces of darkness and evil, for peace and freedom."

Lukashenko noted that Belarus had suffered greatly during the war, with millions of its citizens killed and its economy devastated. He said that the memory of the war should serve as a reminder of the dangers of fascism and intolerance.

Lukashenko also invited Van der Bellen to visit Belarus to mark the anniversary of the victory.

Austria was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Belarus, and the two countries have enjoyed close relations since then.

The 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism will be marked on May 9, 2025. Belarus is planning a number of events to commemorate the anniversary, including a military parade in Minsk.