Not many leaders have stayed in power for 30 years, but Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has managed to do so. However, his time in charge has been full of accusations.
He’s been accused of rigging elections, silencing opposition, and tearing apart democracy. Because of these actions, the UK, the EU, and the US don’t recognize him as Belarus’s legitimate president.
One interesting thing about Lukashenko is how well he knows Vladimir Putin. They’ve had a long relationship, regularly meeting, and Lukashenko understands Putin better than most world leaders.
He spoke to BBC’s Steve Rosenberg during the BRICS summit, where Belarus is trying to become a member. When asked about rumors that North Korean troops were fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, Lukashenko called it “rubbish.” He claimed Putin would never try to drag another country’s military into the war in Ukraine.
However, when pressed on what would happen if the rumors were true, Lukashenko admitted it would make the war even worse. He said that if any country, even Belarus, got directly involved, it would escalate the conflict.
He explained that the West, especially the “Anglo-Saxons,” would quickly accuse Russia of involving another country, which could lead to NATO sending troops into Ukraine. This insight, shared with BBC, reflects his view of how sensitive and volatile the situation is.
When asked if Putin ever asked Belarus to send its own troops to fight, Lukashenko firmly said “never.” He said neither Putin nor top Russian military officials had ever made such a request. Still, Belarus has indirectly been involved in the war.
In February 2022, Russia used Belarusian territory to launch part of its invasion of Ukraine. When asked why he allowed this, Lukashenko played coy, questioning how anyone could know for sure he gave permission.
Yet, he admitted Russian troops were present in Belarus for exercises, and Putin decided how to move his soldiers, whether through Kyiv or Minsk.
This shows just how much control Putin has in Belarus, which was also made clear when Russia stationed tactical nuclear weapons there.
When BBC asked if Putin would use these weapons in the war, Lukashenko said that Putin couldn’t use them without his consent.
When asked if he would allow them to be used, Lukashenko said he would be ready to use them, but only if foreign troops entered Belarus. He emphasized that Belarus doesn’t plan to attack anyone, according to BBC.
The interview also touched on the issue of political prisoners in Belarus. While human rights groups say there are about 1,300 political prisoners, Lukashenko had previously denied their existence.
However, during the BBC interview, he let slip the term “political prisoner,” acknowledging that some had been released recently. While some observers think these releases are a signal to the West that he wants better relations, Lukashenko dismissed that idea, saying the prisoners were freed for humanitarian reasons, like age or illness. He stressed that Belarus doesn’t need better relations with the West and can manage without them.
BBC’s coverage highlights Lukashenko’s complex position as both an ally and, in some ways, a pawn of Putin, while maintaining a hard stance against the West and defending his controversial actions in Belarus.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62938gl6q1o