There aren’t many world leaders who’ve been in power for 30 years.
Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has been accused of stealing elections, crushing dissent and dismantling democracy.
The UK, the EU and the US do not recognise him as the legitimate president of Belarus.
There’s something else you should know about him: if there’s any leader who knows Vladimir Putin inside out, it is Lukashenko. The two men have known each other for years and meet regularly.
Alexander Lukashenko met me on the sidelines of the Brics summit of emerging economies. He wants Belarus to become a member.
I asked him to comment on claims that North Korea had sent troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine.
“Rubbish,” Lukashenko replied. “Knowing his character Putin would never try to persuade another country to involve its army in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine.”
“And if the reports are confirmed?” I asked.
“It would be a step towards the escalation of the conflict if the armed forces of any country, even Belarus, were on the contact line,” replied Alexander Lukashenko.
“Even if we got involved in the war this would be a path to escalation. Why? Because you, the Anglo-Saxons, would immediately say that another country had got involved on one side… so Nato troops would be deployed to Ukraine.”
