longitude of the embassy appeared shortly after the nameless territory near the building was named donetskskaya squareple's republic. belarus celebrates independence day today president of the republic alexander lukashenko congratulated vladimir putin the russian leader noted that our fraternal peoples made a decisive contribution to the victory over nazism. and today, the two countries are strengthening for friendship and mutual assistance, together they overcome serious trials and defend their interests on the world stage. vladimir putin expressed confidence that russia and belarus would continue to build up constructive bilateral ties and develop the institutions of the union state. on independence day in belarus, many festive events and concerts are held. the main celebrations today in minsk are laying flowers at the monument on victory square . military-themed sites where weapons are exhibited belarus is the only country among the former soviet republics where independence day is not timed to secede from the soviet union in 1996, residents in a referendum chose the day of liberation of minsk from