Dear soldiers and veterans of the Armed Forces!
Dear compatriots!
I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the Defender of the Fatherland Day and the 100th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
This holiday embodies the heroic feats of our compatriots and the continuity of the best traditions of service to our country.
We are proud of the courage of the Belarusian people, shown in the fight against the German fascist invaders, and we carefully preserve the memory of the fallen. We gratefully recall the valor of the servicemen of the pre-war period, the front-line soldiers, the soldiers and officers of the Red Banner Belarusian Military District, which became the foundation of the Armed Forces of our sovereign state.
Today, a professional, well-equipped army has been created in the country, which is capable not only of ensuring the security of Belarus from external aggressors but also serves as the internal core of statehood. Thousands of young men have been tempered in the Armed Forces and gratefully recall their army years.
The current generation of defenders of the Fatherland honorably fulfills its military duty, demonstrating high cohesion and combat skill.
I am convinced that in our country the Armed Forces will always be a reliable guarantor of the protection of peace, stability, and security.
I wish everyone happiness, well-being, and success in service for the benefit of their native Belarus!
Alexander Lukashenko.