Alexander Lukashenko#Economic and political problems

Lukashenko was born on 30 August 1954[http://udf.by/sobytie/33180-skandal-lukashenko-izmenil-biografiyu.html Скандал! Лукашенко изменил биографию (видео и фото) » UDF.BY | Новости Беларуси | Объединённые демократические силы] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724115400/http://udf.by/sobytie/33180-skandal-lukashenko-izmenil-biografiyu.html|date=24 July 2015}}. UDF.BY. Retrieved 13 April 2011.[http://president.gov.by/press10003.html Официальный интернет-портал Президента Республики Беларусь/Биография] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207094012/http://president.gov.by/press10003.html |date=7 December 2013 }}. President.gov.by (11 May 1998). Retrieved 13 April 2011. in the settlement of Kopys in Vitebsk Region of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Starting with an interview given in 2009, Lukashenko has said that his actual birthday is 31 August, the same as his son's Nikolai's.[https://zavtra.ru/cgi/veil/data/zavtra/09/812/11.html ТАК ГОВОРИТ ЛУКАШЕНКО] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328193551/https://zavtra.ru/cgi/veil/data/zavtra/09/812/11.html|date=28 March 2010}}. Zavtra. Retrieved 13 April 2011. This caused some confusion as all official sources had said 30 August 1954 up until then. An explanation was later given that his mother had entered the hospital on the 30th in labour but not given birth until after midnight.{{Cite news |date=1 September 2010 |title=БелаПАН выяснил, почему изменилась дата рождения Александра Лукашенко |url=http://belapan.com/archive/2010/09/01/407760/ |work=BelaPAN |access-date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612003234/http://belapan.com/archive/2010/09/01/407760/ |url-status=dead }}

His maternal grandfather, Trokhym Ivanovich Lukashenko, was born near Shostka in the then-Russian Empire, now in the Ukrainian village known today as Sobycheve.{{Cite news |last1=Малишевский |first1=Виктор |last2=Ульяна Бобоед |date=15 August 2003 |script-title=ru:В Минск из Канады летит троюродный племянник Лукашенко |language=ru |work=Комсомольской Правды в Белоруссии |url=http://www.charter97.org/rus/news/2003/08/15/rodstvennik |url-status=dead |access-date=28 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731100026/http://www.charter97.org/rus/news/2003/08/15/rodstvennik |archive-date=31 July 2008}} Lukashenko grew up without a father in his childhood, leading him to be taunted by his schoolmates for having an unmarried mother. Due to this, the origin of his patronymic Grigorevich is unknown and there are varying rumours about the identity of Lukashenko's father. The most common suggestion is that the man was a Roma passing through the region.{{Cite journal |last1=Astapova |first1=Anastasiya |date=2016 |title=Political Biography: Incoherence, Contestation, and Elements of the Hero Pattern in the Belarusian Case |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/jfolkrese.53.2.02 |journal=Journal of Folklore Research |language=en |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=31–62 |doi=10.2979/jfolkrese.53.2.02 |jstor=10.2979/jfolkrese.53.2.02 |s2cid=148428135 |access-date=6 February 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217144222/https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/jfolkrese.53.2.02 |url-status=live |issn = 0737-7037|url-access=subscription }} His mother, Ekaterina Trofimovna Lukashenko (1924–2015), had given birth to another son, older than Alexander, who later died on an unknown date. Ekaterina worked unskilled jobs on a railway, at a construction site, at a flax factory in Orsha and finally as a milkmaid in Alexandria, a small village in the east of Belarus, close to the Russian border.{{Cite web |date=26 May 2015 |title="Рослая, сильная, с характером". В Александрии похоронили мать Лукашенко |url=https://news.tut.by/society/449462.html |publisher=Tut.By |access-date=13 September 2019 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022082221/https://news.tut.by/society/449462.html |url-status=dead }}

Lukashenko went to Alexandria secondary school. He graduated from the Mogilev Pedagogical Institute (now Mogilev State A. Kuleshov University) in Mogilev in 1975 after 4 years of studies. He also completed studies at the Belarusian Agricultural Academy in Horki in 1985.

He served in the Soviet Border Troops from 1975 to 1977, where he was an instructor of the political department of military unit No. 2187 of the Western Frontier District in Brest and in the Soviet Army from 1980 to 1982. In addition, he led an All-Union Leninist Young Communist League (Komsomol) chapter in Mogilev from 1977 to 1978. While in the Soviet Army, Lukashenko was a deputy political officer of the 120th Guards Motor Rifle Division, which was based in Minsk.{{Cite web |date=20 September 2007 |title=President Visits New Swimming Complex in Minsk |url=http://www.president.gov.by/en/press35803.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130162456/http://www.president.gov.by/en/press35803.html |archive-date=30 November 2012 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=President of the Republic of Belarus }}

In 1979, he joined the ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party of Byelorussia. After leaving the military, he became the deputy chairman of a collective farm in 1982 and in 1985{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}. In 1987, he was appointed as the director of the Gorodets state farm in Shklow district and in early 1988, was one of the first in Mogilev Region to introduce a leasing contract to a state farm.{{Cite web |date=30 August 2017 |title=Александр Лукашенко, биография, новости, фото – узнай вce! |url=https://uznayvse.ru/znamenitosti/biografiya-aleksandr-lukashenko.html |publisher=Unayvse |language=ru |access-date=20 September 2017 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045807/https://uznayvse.ru/znamenitosti/biografiya-aleksandr-lukashenko.html |url-status=live }}

In 1990, Lukashenko was elected Deputy to the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR. Having acquired a reputation as an eloquent opponent of corruption, Lukashenko was elected in April 1993 to be interim chairman of the anti-corruption committee of the Belarusian parliament.{{Cite news |last=Spector |first=Michael |date=25 June 1994 |title=Belarus Voters Back Populist in Protest at the Quality of Life |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/25/world/belarus-voters-back-populist-in-protest-at-the-quality-of-life.html |access-date=17 October 2007 |archive-date=1 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901115703/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/25/world/belarus-voters-back-populist-in-protest-at-the-quality-of-life.html |url-status=live }} In late 1993 he accused 70 senior government officials, including the Supreme Soviet chairman Stanislav Shushkevich and prime minister Vyacheslav Kebich, of corruption including stealing state funds for personal purposes. While the charges ultimately proved to be without merit, Shushkevich resigned his chairmanship due to the embarrassment of this series of events and losing a vote of no-confidence.{{Cite book |last=Savchenko |first=Andrew |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lmld75blKCwC&pg=PA179 |title=Belarus: A Perpetual Borderland |date=15 May 2009 |publisher=Brill Academic Pub |isbn=978-9004174481 |page=179 |chapter=Borderland Forever: Modern Belarus |access-date=11 October 2015 |archive-date=21 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521132703/https://books.google.com/books?id=lmld75blKCwC&pg=PA179 |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last=Jeffries |first=Ian |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZYy46_X2WS8C&pg=PA266 |title=The Countries of the Former Soviet Union at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century: The Baltic and European States in Transition |date=4 March 2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0415252300 |page=266 |chapter=Belarus |access-date=11 October 2015 |archive-date=19 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519201548/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZYy46_X2WS8C&pg=PA266 |url-status=live }} He was in that position until July 1994.

{{see also|1994 Belarusian presidential election}}

A new Belarusian constitution enacted in early 1994 paved the way for the first democratic presidential election on 23 June and 10 July. Six candidates stood in the first round, including Lukashenko, who campaigned as an independent on a populist platform. In an interview with The New York Times, he declared: "I am neither with the leftists nor the rightists. But with the people against those who rob and deceive them."{{cite news|last1=Filtenborg|first1=Emil|last2=Weichert|first2=Stefan|date=28 September 2020|title='He stopped listening... and became cruel': Lukashenko remembered by former campaign manager|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/24/he-stopped-listening-and-became-cruel-lukashenko-remembered-by-former-campaign-manager|work=Euro News|language=en|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225144648/https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/24/he-stopped-listening-and-became-cruel-lukashenko-remembered-by-former-campaign-manager|url-status=live}} Stanislav Shushkevich and Vyacheslav Kebich also ran, with the latter regarded as the clear favorite.{{cite book | editor1-last = White | editor1-first = Stephen | editor2-last = Korosteleva | editor2-first = Elena | editor3-last = John | editor3-first = Löwenhardt | title = Postcommunist Belarus | chapter = Post Soviet Belarus | first = Ronald J. | last = Hill | publisher = Rowman & Littlefield | year = 2005 | pages = 6–7 | isbn = 9780742535558 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HPjVRSvhFRAC&pg=PA6 | access-date = 11 October 2015 | archive-date = 25 April 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160425235757/https://books.google.com/books?id=HPjVRSvhFRAC&pg=PA6 | url-status = live }} Lukashenko won 45.1% of the vote while Kebich received 17.4%, Zianon Pazniak received 12.9% and Shushkevich, along with two other candidates, received less than 10% of votes.

Lukashenko won the second round of the election on 10 July with 80.1% of the vote.Country Studies [http://countrystudies.us/belarus/39.htm Belarus – Prelude to Independence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010070350/http://countrystudies.us/belarus/39.htm |date=10 October 2017 }}. Library of Congress. Retrieved 21 March 2007. The presidential inauguration was held in the halls of the Government House, on 20 July 1994, exactly ten days after the election, during a special meeting of the parliament, the Supreme Council.{{Cite web|date=7 November 2015|title=Пять инаугураций в Беларуси. Как менялся президент, его клятвы и обещания с 1994–го по 2015–й|url=https://news.tut.by/society/471818.html|access-date=5 September 2020|website=Tut.By|language=ru|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929111032/https://news.tut.by/society/471818.html|url-status=live}} Shortly after his inauguration, he addressed the State Duma of the Russian Federation in Moscow proposing a new Union of Slavic states, which would culminate in the creation of the Union of Russia and Belarus in 1999.Alyaksandr Lukashenka in: Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 2009.

File:1996. Stamp of Belarus 0205.jpg

In February 1995, Lukashenko announced his intention to hold a referendum. For the young democratic republic this raised the controversial issue of the Russification of Belarus. Lukashenko said he would press ahead with the referendum regardless of opposition in the Supreme Council and threatened to suspend its activities if it did not agree to hold the referendum. On 11 April 1995, a vote was held in parliament on calling a referendum on four issues proposed by Lukashenko: 1) granting Russian the status of a state language, 2) changing state symbols, 3) on economic integration with Russia and 4) on giving the president the right to dissolve parliament. The deputies rejected all the issues, except for that which regarded economic integration with Russia.Навумчык С. [https://docs.rferl.org/be-by/2015/08/24/34b28591-5dfd-48bd-bc0c-30860f75cf2d.pdf Дзевяноста пяты.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030074452/https://docs.rferl.org/be-BY/2015/08/24/34b28591-5dfd-48bd-bc0c-30860f75cf2d.pdf |date=30 October 2020 }} (Бібліятэка Свабоды. ХХІ стагодзьдзе.) — Радыё Свабодная Эўропа / Радыё Свабода, 2015. — 320 с.: іл. {{ISBN|978-0-929849-73-7}}. p. 132–5[https://nashaniva.by/?c=ar&i=262559 Сапраўдныя беларускія сімвалы: вось што трэба ведаць пра Пагоню і БЧБ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121225512/https://nashaniva.by/?c=ar&i=262559 |date=21 November 2020 }}, Наша Ніва, 22 лістапада 2020 г. It is unclear whether the president had legal power independently to call referendums, and if so, if they would be binding. Lukashenko stated that the referendum would be held despite the rejection by the deputies.

In protest, 19 out of a total of 238 deputies of the Belarusian Popular Front led by Zianon Pazniak and the Belarusian Social Democratic Assembly led by Oleg Trusov (b. Алег Анатолевіч Трусаў) began a hunger strike in the parliamentary meeting room and stayed there overnight on the night of 11–12 April. At night, under the pretext of a bomb threat, unidentified law enforcement personnel attacked and forcibly expelled the deputies. Lukashenko stated that he personally ordered the evacuation for security purposes. The Supreme Council accepted to hold the referendum on 13 April and in May 1995, Belarusian authorities held a referendum on the four issues.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rec.gov.by/refer/refer1995.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718093150/http://www.rec.gov.by/refer/refer1995.html|url-status=dead|title=1995 Referendum Questions|archive-date=18 July 2011}} The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly found neither the referendum nor the 1995 Belarusian parliamentary election which took place in the same month to have met conditions for free and fair elections.{{Cite web|title=Report on parliamentary elections in Belarus – 14 and 28 may 1995|url=https://www.oscepa.org/documents/election-observation/election-observation-statements/belarus/statements-4/2009-1995-parliamentary-first-a-second-round/file|website=OSCE Parliamentary Assembly|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123111208/https://www.oscepa.org/documents/election-observation/election-observation-statements/belarus/statements-4/2009-1995-parliamentary-first-a-second-round/file|url-status=live}}

File:RIAN archive 141088 Signing Treaty on Establishing Russian-Belarusian Union.jpg and Belarusian President Lukashenko, 1997]]

In the summer of 1996, deputies of the 199-member Belarusian parliament signed a petition to impeach Lukashenko on charges of violating the Constitution.{{cite news | first = Marina | last = Babkina | title = Lukashenko Defies Impeachment Move | date = 19 November 1996 | agency = Associated Press | url = https://apnews.com/64b58a223cc28fbac1073c5433e78d1a | work = AP New Archives | access-date = 7 January 2013 | archive-date = 14 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131014022052/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1996/Lukashenko-Defies-Impeachment-Move/id-64b58a223cc28fbac1073c5433e78d1a | url-status = live }} Shortly after that, a referendum was held on 24 November 1996 in which four questions were offered by Lukashenko and three offered by a group of Parliament members. The questions ranged from social issues, including changing the independence day to 3 July (the date of the liberation of Minsk from Nazi forces in 1944) and the abolition of the death penalty, to the national constitution. As a result of the referendum, the constitution that was amended by Lukashenko was accepted and the one amended by the Supreme Council was voided. On 25 November, it was announced that 70.5% of voters, of an 84% turnout, had approved the amended constitution. The US and the EU, however, refused to accept the legitimacy of the referendum.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rec.gov.by/sites/default/files/pdf/Archive-Referenda-1996-Soob.pdf |title=Центральной комиссии Республики Беларусь по выборам и проведению республиканских референдумов |access-date=8 January 2013 |archive-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113110720/http://www.rec.gov.by/sites/default/files/pdf/Archive-Referenda-1996-Soob.pdf |url-status=dead }}

After the referendum, Lukashenko convened a new parliamentary assembly from those members of the parliament who were loyal to him.{{cite book | last1 = Bekus | first1 = Nelly | title = Struggle over Identity: The Official and the Alternative "Belarusianness" | publisher = Central European University Press | date = 2012 | pages = 103–4 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DiwPRpRYt2kC&pg=PA103 | isbn = 978-9639776685 | access-date = 11 October 2015 | archive-date = 24 April 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160424094528/https://books.google.com/books?id=DiwPRpRYt2kC&pg=PA103 | url-status = live }} After between ten and twelve deputies withdrew their signature from the impeachment petition, only about forty deputies of the old parliament were left and the Supreme Council was dismissed by Lukashenko.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jZJntMQtkSYC&pg=PA182|title=Belarus: The Last European Dictatorship|first=Andrew|last=Wilson|author-link=Andrew Wilson (historian)|date=6 December 2011|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0300134353|access-date=11 October 2015|archive-date=28 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428161930/https://books.google.com/books?id=jZJntMQtkSYC&pg=PA182|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, international organizations and many Western countries do not recognize the current parliament given the way it was formed.[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5371.htm U.S. Relations With Belarus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418020428/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5371.htm |date=18 April 2021 }}. US Department of State. 19 February 2014.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lsmgmbbKD9MC&pg=PA48 |title=Poland's Role in the Development of an 'Eastern Dimension' of the European Union – Andreas Lorek |isbn=9783640256716 |access-date=9 January 2013 |last1=Lorek |first1=Andreas |date=30 January 2009 |publisher=GRIN Verlag |archive-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512003509/https://books.google.com/books?id=lsmgmbbKD9MC&pg=PA48 |url-status=live }} Lukashenko was elected chairman of the Belarusian Olympic Committee in 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.noc.by/eng/nokrb/htdocs/1/ |title=NOC RB |access-date=13 October 2007 |year=2002 |publisher=National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017032540/http://noc.by/eng/nokrb/htdocs/1/ |archive-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=dead}} At the start of 1998, the Central Bank of Russia suspended trading of the Belarusian ruble, which led to a collapse in the value of the currency. Lukashenko responded by taking control of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus, sacking the entire bank leadership and blaming the west for the free fall of the currency.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/68004.stm |work=BBC |title=Belarus appoints new national bank chief |date=21 March 1998 |access-date=7 August 2007 |archive-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420231519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/68004.stm |url-status=live }}

File:Vladimir Putin 25 July 2001-5.jpg and Leonid Kuchma at the Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk in 2001|232x232px]]

Lukashenko blamed foreign governments for conspiring against him and, in April 1998, expelled ambassadors from the Drazdy complex near Minsk and moved them to another building. The Drazdy conflict caused an international outcry and resulted in a travel ban on Lukashenko from both the EU and the US.{{cite news |first=Jan |last=Maksymiuk |title=Eu punishes Belarusian leadership |date=22 July 1998 |publisher=From: Radio Free Europe/Radio Libert |url=http://www.hri.org/news/balkans/rferl/1998/98-07-22.rferl.html#21 |work=RFE/RL Newsline, Vol. 2, No. 139, 98-07-22 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=6 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206141633/http://www.hri.org/news/balkans/rferl/1998/98-07-22.rferl.html#21 |url-status=live }} Although the ambassadors eventually returned after the controversy died down, Lukashenko stepped up his rhetorical attacks against the West. He stated that Western governments were trying to undermine Belarus at all levels, even sports, during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.{{cite news |title=Poor Showing Reportedly Riles Ruler of Belarus |date=20 February 1998 |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/articles/ruler21.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106152124/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/sport/articles/ruler21.htm |url-status=live }}

Upon the outbreak of the Kosovo War in 1999, Lukashenko suggested to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević that Yugoslavia join the Union of Russia and Belarus.{{cite web|url=http://www.serbia-info.com/news/1999-04/15/10890.html |title=The Statement of the Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko |access-date=13 October 2007 |date=15 April 1999 |work=Serbia Info News |publisher=Ministry of Information of the Republic of Serbia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182051/http://www.serbia-info.com/news/1999-04/15/10890.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}

{{see also|2001 Belarusian presidential election}}

File:Alexander Lukashenko in a meeting with Bashar al-Assad in December 2003 (1) (cropped).jpgn President Bashar al-Assad during a state visit to Syria in December 2003]]

Under the original constitution, Lukashenko should have been up for reelection in 1999. However, the 1996 referendum extended Lukashenko's term for two additional years. In the 9 September 2001 election, Lukashenko faced Vladimir Goncharik and Sergei Gaidukevich."Contemporary Belarus: Between Democracy and Dictatorship" (London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003), with R. Marsh and C. Lawson

During the campaign, Lukashenko promised to raise the standards of farming, social benefits and increase industrial output of Belarus.{{cite news | title =Lukashenko claims victory in Belarus election | date =10 September 2001 | url =https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2001/09/09/belarus.htm | work =USA Today | access-date =17 October 2007 | archive-date =12 August 2007 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070812031902/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2001/09/09/belarus.htm | url-status =live }} Lukashenko won in the first round with 75.65% of the vote. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said the election process "failed to meet international standards".

File:Ali Khamenei met with Belarusian President Lukashenko (2006 11 06) 07.jpg and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2006]]

Jane's Intelligence Digest surmised that the price of Russian support for Lukashenko ahead of the 2001 presidential election was the surrender of Minsk's control over its section of the Yamal–Europe gas pipeline.Standish, M J A (11 January 2006). "Editor's notes." Jane's Intelligence Digest. After the results were announced declaring Lukashenko the winner, Russia publicly welcomed Lukashenko's re-election; the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, telephoned Lukashenko and offered a message of congratulations and support.

Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, American intelligence agencies reported that aides of Saddam Hussein managed to acquire Belarusian passports while in Syria, but that it was unlikely that Belarus would offer a safe haven for Saddam and his two sons.{{cite news |title=Saddam aides may flee to Belarus: report |date=24 June 2003 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/06/24/886972.htm |access-date=13 October 2007 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315163438/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-06-24/saddam-aides-may-flee-to-belarus-report/1875514 |url-status=dead }} This action, along with arms deals with Iraq and Iran, prompted Western governments to take a tougher stance against Lukashenko. The US was particularly angered by the arms sales, and American political leaders increasingly began to refer to Belarus as "Europe's last dictatorship".{{cite news |title=Profile: Europe's last dictator? |date=10 September 2001 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/116265.stm |access-date=13 October 2007 |archive-date=26 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726114758/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/116265.stm |url-status=live }} The EU was concerned for the security of its gas supplies from Russia, which are piped through Belarus, and took an active interest in Belarusian affairs. With the accession of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, the EU's border with Belarus has grown to more than 1000 kilometers.{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.by/print/en/mass_media/c824327c1d35b374.html |title=Belarus Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov interview for The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus |publisher=Mfa.gov.by |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=21 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221060943/http://www.mfa.gov.by/print/en/mass_media/c824327c1d35b374.html |url-status=live }}

During a televised address to the nation on 7 September 2004, Lukashenko announced plans for a referendum to eliminate presidential term limits. This was held on 17 October 2004, the same day as parliamentary elections, and, according to official results, was approved by 79.42% of voters. Previously, Lukashenko had been limited to two terms and thus would have been constitutionally required to step down after the presidential elections in 2006.{{cite news|title=Alexander Lukashenko: Dictator with a difference |date=25 September 2008 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/profiles/3080936/Alexander-Lukashenko-Dictator-with-a-difference.html |access-date=26 September 2008 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926101350/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/profiles/3080936/Alexander-Lukashenko-Dictator-with-a-difference.html |archive-date=26 September 2008 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Observers deplore Belarus vote |date=18 October 2004 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3752930.stm |access-date=13 October 2007 |archive-date=2 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702072508/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3752930.stm |url-status=live }} Opposition groups, the OSCE, the European Union, and the US State Department stated that the vote fell short of international standards. Belarus grew economically under Lukashenko, but much of this growth was due to Russian crude oil which was imported at below-market prices, refined, and sold to other European countries at a profit.

{{main|2006 Belarusian presidential election}}

File:Lukashenko and Medvedev December 2008.jpg in the Kremlin, December 2008]]

After Lukashenko confirmed he was running for re-election in 2005, opposition groups began to seek a single candidate. On 16 October 2005, on the Day of Solidarity with Belarus, the political groups Zubr and Third Way Belarus encouraged all opposition parties to rally behind one candidate to oppose Lukashenko in the 2006 election. Their chosen candidate was Alexander Milinkevich.{{cite news|first=Matthew|last=Collin|title=Belarus opposition closes ranks|date=3 October 2005|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4304412.stm|access-date=13 October 2007|archive-date=8 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108223011/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4304412.stm|url-status=live}} Lukashenko reacted by saying that anyone going to opposition protests would have their necks wrung "as one might a duck". On 19 March 2006, exit polls showed Lukashenko winning a third term in a landslide, amid opposition reports of vote-rigging and fear of violence. The Belarusian Republican Youth Union gave Lukashenko 84.2% and Milinkevich 3.1%. The Gallup Organisation noted that the Belarusian Republican Youth Union are government-controlled and released the exit poll results before noon on election day even though voting stations did not close until 8 pm.{{cite news |title=Gallup/Baltic Surveys announces impossibility of independent and reliable exit polls under present conditions in Belarus |url=http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2006/03/20/gallup |publisher=Charter'97 |date=20 March 2006 |access-date=13 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201849/http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2006/03/20/gallup |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}

Belarusian authorities vowed to prevent any large-scale demonstrations following the election (such as those that marked the Orange Revolution in Ukraine). Despite their efforts, the opposition had the largest number of demonstrators in years, with nightly protests in Minsk continuing for a number of days after the election. The largest protest occurred on election night; reporters for the Associated Press estimated that approximately 10,000 people turned out.{{cite news|title=Incumbent Declared Winner of Belarus Vote|url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/032006/news_20060320034.shtml|work=Athens Banner-Herald|agency=Associated Press|date=20 March 2006|access-date=13 September 2012|quote=The gathering was the biggest the opposition had mustered in years, reaching at least 10,000 before it started thinning out, according to AP reporters' estimates.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622112747/http://onlineathens.com/stories/032006/news_20060320034.shtml|archive-date=22 June 2013|url-status=dead}} Election observers from the Russia-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) differed on the Belarusian election.{{cite news|title=CIS, OSCE observers differ on Belarus vote|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200603/21/eng20060321_252162.html|work=People's Daily|date=21 March 2006|access-date=13 October 2007|quote=Election observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) declared the Belarus presidential vote open and transparent on Monday. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) did not assess the election positively.|archive-date=19 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619193108/http://english.people.com.cn/200603/21/eng20060321_252162.html|url-status=live}}

File:Dmitry Medvedev 29 September 2009-3.jpg

The OSCE declared on 20 March 2006 that the "presidential election failed to meet OSCE commitments for democratic elections." Lukashenko "permitted State authority to be used in a manner which did not allow citizens to freely and fairly express their will at the ballot box... a pattern of intimidation and the suppression of independent voices... was evident throughout the campaign."{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/63597.htm |title=Ballots on the Frontiers of Freedom: Elections in Belarus and Ukraine |access-date=13 October 2007 |last=Kramer |first=David |date=21 March 2006 |publisher=United States Department of State |archive-date=5 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205142000/http://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/63597.htm |url-status=live }} The heads of all 25 EU countries declared that the election was "fundamentally flawed". In contrast, the Russian minister of foreign affairs declared, "Long before the elections, the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights had declared that they [the elections] would be illegitimate and it was pretty biased in its commentaries on their progress and results, thus playing an instigating role."{{cite news|title=West slams Belarus crackdown |date=24 March 2006 |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/24/belarus.protest/index.html |access-date=17 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428174816/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/24/belarus.protest/index.html |archive-date=28 April 2007 |url-status=dead}} Lukashenko later stated that he had rigged the election results, but against himself, in order to obtain a majority more typical of European countries. Although he had won 93.5% of the vote, he said, he had directed the government to announce a result of 86%.{{cite news|script-title=ru:Лукашенко: Последние выборы мы сфальсифицировали|date=23 November 2006|publisher=Tut.By|url=http://news.tut.by/77777.html|access-date=13 October 2007|language=ru|archive-date=11 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711211220/http://news.tut.by/77777.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1343909.html |title=Poland, Belarus & Ukraine Report |date=28 November 2006 |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=6 January 2013 |archive-date=11 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811040520/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1343909.html |url-status=live }}

Some Russian nationalists, such as Dmitry Rogozin and the Movement Against Illegal Immigration, stated that they would like to see Lukashenko become President of Russia in 2008. Lukashenko responded that he would not run for the Russian presidency, but that if his health was still good, he might run for reelection in 2011.{{cite news|title=Rightist Group Promote Belarus Dictator Lukashenko as Russian Presidential Candidate|url=http://www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews/022007/218.html|work=MosNews|date=28 February 2007|access-date=11 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929152627/http://www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews/022007/218.html|archive-date=29 September 2007}} [http://rusviews.com/2007-02-28/71.html Alt URL]{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In September 2008, parliamentary elections were held. Lukashenko had allowed some opposition candidates to stand, though in the official results, opposition members failed to get any of the 110 available seats. OSCE observers described the vote as "flawed", including "several cases of deliberate falsification of results". Opposition members and supporters demonstrated in protest.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7642084.stm "Belarus clean sweep poll 'flawed'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003152503/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7642084.stm |date=3 October 2008 }}, BBC News, 29 September 2008. According to the Nizhny Novgorod-based CIS election observation mission, the findings of which are often dismissed by the West,{{cite news |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1058234.html |title=CIS: Monitoring The Election Monitors |date=2 April 2005 |access-date=24 September 2009 |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |archive-date=15 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315155235/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1058234.html |url-status=live }} the elections in Belarus conformed to international standards.{{cite news|url=http://law.by/work/EnglPortal.nsf/0/89452FE328F40067C22574D3003DECEE?OpenDocument |title=CIS observers: Belarus' elections meet international standards |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=National Center of Legal Information of the Republic of Belarus |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617025030/http://law.by/work/EnglPortal.nsf/0/89452FE328F40067C22574D3003DECEE?OpenDocument |archive-date=17 June 2009}} Lukashenko later commented that the opposition in Belarus was financed by foreign countries and was not needed.{{cite news|title=Opposition gewinnt keinen einzigen Sitz – Proteste in Weißrussland |work=Der Spiegel |date=29 September 2008 |url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,581019,00.html |access-date=30 September 2008 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003013930/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0%2C1518%2C581019%2C00.html |archive-date= 3 October 2008 |url-status=live}}

In April 2009, he held talks with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican, Lukashenko's first visit to Western Europe after a travel ban on him a decade earlier.[https://archive.today/20120526225108/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5goe8nuB8qJvAm0EGX1sbq_kD2w-g Belarus leader meets Pope in landmark trip]. Agence France-Presse. Google News (27 April 2009). Retrieved 19 May 2012.

In August 2009, during a working trip to the Vitebsk Region, Lukashenko announced a program for the revival of Belarusian potato production, saying: "We will finish working on a special program, we will decide how many potatoes we need for the domestic market, how many potatoes we can sell" and that "we'll bring back this crop that is very valuable to us".{{cite web | url =https://www.belta.by/president/view/eto-dorozhe-nefti-kak-lukashenko-sdelal-kartofel-natsionalnym-produktom-belarusi-581349-2023/|title="Это дороже нефти". Как Лукашенко сделал картофель национальным продуктом Беларуси|publisher=Belta| language=Russian|date=9 August 2023| accessdate =13 March 2024}} Later, Lukashenko received the nickname "potato führer" from his detractors.{{cite web | url =https://charter97.org/ru/news/2022/6/26/504037/|title=Юрий Касьянов о нападении на Украину: Путин прикажет, а картофельный фюрер сделает|publisher=Charter 97| language=Russian| accessdate =13 March 2024}}{{cite web | url =https://www.rosbalt.ru/news/2021-05-26/ilya-yashin-my-pryamo-seychas-beznadezhno-teryaem-belarus-4887235|title=Илья Яшин. Мы прямо сейчас безнадежно теряем Беларусь|publisher=Rosbalt|language=Russian| date=26 May 2021| accessdate =13 March 2024}}

{{main|2010 Belarusian presidential election}}

File:Zapad-2013 strategic military exercises (2101-03).jpg at the Russian-Belarusian strategic military exercises in 2013]]

Lukashenko was one of ten candidates registered for the presidential election held in Belarus on 19 December 2010. Though originally envisaged for 2011, an earlier date was approved "to ensure the maximum participation of citizens in the electoral campaign and to set most convenient time for the voters".[http://news.belta.by/en/main_news?id=580390 Belarus sets date of presidential election for 19 December 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163519/http://news.belta.by/en/main_news?id=580390 |date= 6 July 2011}}. News.belta.by (14 September 2010). Retrieved 19 May 2012. The run-up to the campaign was marked by a series of Russian media attacks on Lukashenko.RFE/RL. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Has_Moscow_Had_Enough_Of_Belaruss_Lukashenka/2104099.html Has Moscow Had Enough Of Belarus's Lukashenka?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065950/http://www.rferl.org/content/Has_Moscow_Had_Enough_Of_Belaruss_Lukashenka/2104099.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. (19 July 2010). The Central Election Committee said that all nine opposition figures were likely to get less than half the vote total that Lukashenko would get. Though opposition figures alleged intimidation{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/12/20101219113519102551.html |title=Activist fears over Belarus vote |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=19 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223053302/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/12/20101219113519102551.html |archive-date=23 December 2010 |url-status=live}} and that "dirty tricks" were being played, the election was seen as comparatively open as a result of desire to improve relations with both Europe and the US.{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/20101218142317982604.html |title='Dirty tricks' taint Belarus vote |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=18 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220044914/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/20101218142317982604.html |archive-date=20 December 2010 |url-status=live}}

On election day, two presidential candidates were seriously beaten by police{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12037486 |title='Hundreds of protesters arrested' in Belarus |work=BBC News |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221051343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12037486 |archive-date=21 December 2010 |url-status=live}} in different opposition rallies.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 |title=Police break up opposition rally after Belarus poll |work=BBC News |date=19 December 2010 |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219045049/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 |archive-date=19 December 2010 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20101219/161845788.html |title=Two Belarus presidential candidates say attacked by special forces |agency=RIA Novosti |date=19 December 2010 |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-date=24 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224170436/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20101219/161845788.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.gazeta.ru/news/lastnews/2010/12/19/n_1624389.shtml |title=Спецназ избил двух кандидатов в президенты Белоруссии; Некляев без сознания |website=Gazeta.ru |date=19 December 2010 |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-date=21 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221102435/http://gazeta.ru/news/lastnews/2010/12/19/n_1624389.shtml |url-status=live }} On the night of the election, opposition protesters chanting "Out!", "Long live Belarus!" and other similar slogans attempted to storm the building of the government of Belarus, smashing windows and doors before riot police were able to push them back.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 |title=Protesters try to storm government HQ in Belarus |work=BBC News |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220044005/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 |archive-date=20 December 2010 |url-status=live}} The number of protesters was reported by major news media as being around or above 10,000 people.{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/2010122041217643974.html |title=Belarus president re-elected |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |archive-date=22 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222154326/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/2010122041217643974.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 |title=Protesters try to storm government HQ in Belarus |publisher=BBC |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=11 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126024032/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/andrei-makhovsky/ |title=Belarus' Lukashenko re-elected, police crackdown |work=Reuters |date=19 December 2010 |access-date=11 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223210521/http://blogs.reuters.com/andrei-makhovsky/ |archive-date=23 December 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c92f7a2-0c0f-11e0-b1a3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Amg9qpB9 |title=Hundreds arrested in Belarus protests |work=Financial Times |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=11 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122210159/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c92f7a2-0c0f-11e0-b1a3-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=live}} At least seven of the opposition presidential candidates were arrested.

Several of the opposition candidates, along with their supporters and members of the media, were arrested. Many were sent to prison, often on charges of organizing a mass disturbance. Examples include Andrei Sannikov,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20095761 |title=BBC News – Leading Belarus dissident Sannikov gets UK asylum |website=Bbc.co.uk |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307034709/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20095761 |url-status=live }} Alexander Otroschenkov,{{cite web |url=http://www.newschool.edu/cps/subpage.aspx?id=69252 |title=Center for Public Scholarship :: Alexander Otroschenkov |website=Newschool.edu |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329023648/http://www.newschool.edu/cps/subpage.aspx?id=69252 |url-status=live }} Ales Michalevic,{{cite web |url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/883073/media-advisory-exiled-belarusian-presidential-candidate-ales-michalevic-to-visit-toronto |title=RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY: Media Advisory – Exiled Belarusian presidential candidate Ales Michalevic to visit Toronto |website=Newswire.ca |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328231259/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/883073/media-advisory-exiled-belarusian-presidential-candidate-ales-michalevic-to-visit-toronto |archive-date=28 March 2014 |url-status=dead}} Mikola Statkevich,{{cite web |author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=country&category=&publisher=RFERL&type=&coi=BLR&rid=&docid=4e142af71e&skip=0 |title=Jailed Belarusian opposition leader not allowed to see wife, father |publisher=Refworld |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=28 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328204847/http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=country&category=&publisher=RFERL&type=&coi=BLR&rid=&docid=4e142af71e&skip=0 |url-status=live }} and Uladzimir Nyaklyayew.{{cite web |work=Foreign Policy and Security Research, Forsecurity.org |url=http://forsecurity.org/swedish-pen-awards-prize-uladzimir-nyaklyayew |date=15 November 2011 |title=Swedish PEN awards prize to Uladzimir Nyaklyayew |access-date=26 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328200603/http://forsecurity.org/swedish-pen-awards-prize-uladzimir-nyaklyayew |archive-date=28 March 2014}} Sannikov's wife, journalist Irina Khalip, was put under house arrest.{{cite news |author=Taylor, Jerome |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/captive-belarusian-journalist-irina-khalip-allowed-to-visit-husband-in-britain-8497370.html |title=Captive Belarusian journalist Irina Khalip allowed to visit husband in Britain – Europe – World |newspaper=The Independent |date=15 February 2013 |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=28 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328203656/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/captive-belarusian-journalist-irina-khalip-allowed-to-visit-husband-in-britain-8497370.html |url-status=live }} Yaraslau Ramanchuk's party leader, Anatoly Lebedko, was also arrested.{{cite web |url=http://www.theatlasphere.com/columns/110221-browne-belarus-romanchuk.php |author=Interview by Stephen Browne |date=21 February 2011 |website=TheAtlasSphere.com |title=BELARUSIAN DISSIDENT JAROSLAV ROMANCHUK |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315163426/http://www.theatlasphere.com/columns/110221-browne-belarus-romanchuk.php |url-status=live }}

File:Normandy format talks in Minsk (February 2015) 03 cropped.jpeg summit, 11–12 February 2015]]

The CEC said that Lukashenko won 79.65% of the vote (he gained 5,130,557 votes) with 90.65% of the electorate voting.{{cite web|url=http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/soob9.pdf |script-title=ru:СООБЩЕНИЕ об итогах выборов Президента Республики Беларусь |access-date=26 December 2010 |date=5 January 2011|publisher=Central Election Commission of Belarus |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105105337/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/soob9.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2011}} The OSCE categorized the elections as "flawed" while the CIS mission observers approved the results as legitimate.{{Cite news |date=20 December 2010 |title=Russia-led observer mission says Belarus election legitimate |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/belarus-election-cis-idUSLDE6BJ0L520101220 |access-date=29 May 2023 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529193903/https://www.reuters.com/article/belarus-election-cis-idUSLDE6BJ0L520101220 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Parfitt |first=Tom |date=20 December 2010 |title=Belarus election: opposition leaders beaten as Lukashenko declares victory |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/20/presidential-candidate-dragged-from-hospital |access-date=29 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529193903/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/20/presidential-candidate-dragged-from-hospital |url-status=live }} However, the OSCE also stated that some improvements were made in the run-up to the election, including the candidates' use of television debates and ability to deliver their messages unhindered.{{cite web|url=http://www.osce.org/item/48242.html |title=Belarus still has considerable way to go in meeting OSCE commitments, despite certain improvements, election observers say |access-date=26 December 2010 |date=20 December 2010 |publisher=OSCE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223091356/http://www.osce.org/item/48242.html |archive-date=23 December 2010}} Several European foreign ministers issued a joint statement calling the election and its aftermath an "unfortunate step backwards in the development of democratic governance and respect for human rights in Belarus."[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/opinion/24iht-edbildt24.html Lukashenko the Loser] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109203749/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/opinion/24iht-edbildt24.html |date=9 November 2016 }}. Joint letter of Foreign Ministers of Germany, Sweden, Poland and Czech Republic. The New York Times (24 December 2010)

Lukashenko's inauguration ceremony of 22 January 2011 was boycotted by EU ambassadors, and only thirty-two foreign diplomats attended. During this ceremony, Lukashenko defended the legitimacy of his re-election and vowed that Belarus would never have its own version of the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine or Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution.[http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/lukashenko-growls-at-inauguration/429432.html Lukashenko Growls at Inauguration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602203428/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/lukashenko-growls-at-inauguration/429432.html |date=2 June 2016 }}, The Moscow Times (24 January 2011)

Effective 31 January 2011, the EU renewed a travel ban, prohibiting Lukashenko and 156 of his associates from traveling to EU member countries, as a result of the crackdown on opposition supporters.Dempsey, Judy (2 January 2011). [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/europe/03iht-belarus03.html/ U.S. and E.U. Join to Show Support for Belarus Opposition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723153838/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/europe/03iht-belarus03.html |date=23 July 2018 }}. The New York Times[http://www.macleans.ca/2011/02/17/not-welcome-in-the-eu/ The European Union has News for Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko: You're Grounded] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621135837/http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/17/not-welcome-in-the-eu/ |date=21 June 2013 }}. macleans.ca (17 February 2011).[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:028:0040:0056:EN:PDF COUNCIL DECISION 2011/69/CFSP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205102725/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:028:0040:0056:EN:PDF |date=5 February 2011 }}. Official Journal of the European Union. (31 January 2011).

Lukashenko was supportive of China's Belt and Road Initiative global infrastructure development strategy, and the inception in 2012 of the associated low-tax China–Belarus Industrial Park near Minsk National Airport planned to grow to {{convert|112|sqkm}} by the 2060s.{{cite news |url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/article/75443 |title=What the BRI brings to Belarus and Great Stone Industrial Park |author1=Jacopo Dettoni |author2=Wendy Atkins |work=fDi Intelligence |publisher=Financial Times |date=15 August 2019 |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=23 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823041156/https://www.fdiintelligence.com/article/75443 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/Unrest-threatens-China-s-Belt-and-Road-success-story-in-Belarus |title=Unrest threatens China's Belt and Road 'success story' in Belarus |last=Simes |first=Dimitri |website=Nikkei Asian Review |date=16 July 2020 |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809201059/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/Unrest-threatens-China-s-Belt-and-Road-success-story-in-Belarus |url-status=live }}

{{main|2015 Belarusian presidential election}}

{{see also|Fifth inauguration of Alexander Lukashenko}}

File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a bilateral meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.jpgn prime minister Narendra Modi in 2016|left]]

File:Meeting of CIS Council of Heads of State (2016-09-16) 03.jpg leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, September 2016]]

On 11 October 2015, Lukashenko was elected for his fifth term as the president of Belarus. Just over three weeks later, he was inaugurated in the Independence Palace in the presence of attendees such as former president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Chairman of the Russian Communist Party Gennady Zyuganov and Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva.{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-at-his-swearing-in-ceremony-rejects-calls-for-reforms|title=Belarus' Lukashenko at his swearing-in ceremony rejects calls for reforms|date=6 November 2015|work=Fox News|access-date=31 August 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016015458/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/06/belarus-lukashenko-at-his-swearing-in-ceremony-rejects-calls-for-reforms.html|url-status=live}} On mid-September 2017, Lukashenko oversaw the advancement of joint Russian and Belarusian military relations during the military drills that were part of the Zapad 2017 exercise.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/14/550969326/nato-nervous-as-russia-belarus-team-up-for-cold-war-style-war-games|title=NATO Nervous As Russia, Belarus Team Up For Cold-War-Style War Games|website=Npr.org|date=14 September 2017|access-date=17 March 2019|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122043559/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/14/550969326/nato-nervous-as-russia-belarus-team-up-for-cold-war-style-war-games|url-status=live|last1=Neuman|first1=Scott}}{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-war-games-aim-to-head-off-another-color-revolution/2017/09/14/53aa93d8-9896-11e7-af6a-6555caaeb8dc_story.html|title=Russian War Games Aim To Head Off Another Color Revolution|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329164920/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-war-games-aim-to-head-off-another-color-revolution/2017/09/14/53aa93d8-9896-11e7-af6a-6555caaeb8dc_story.html|url-status=live}}

In August 2018, Lukashenko fired his prime minister Andrei Kobyakov and various other officials due to a corruption scandal.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/18/belarus-president-fires-prime-minister-after-corruption-scandal|title=Belarus president fires prime minister after corruption scandal|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=18 August 2018|access-date=13 February 2020|website=Theguardian.com|archive-date=20 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120142235/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/18/belarus-president-fires-prime-minister-after-corruption-scandal|url-status=live}} Sergei Rumas was appointed to take his place as prime minister. In May 2017, Lukashenko signed a decree on the Foundation of the Directorate of the 2019 European Games in Minsk.{{cite web |title=II European Games 2019 Directorate set up |url=http://www.noc.by/en/news/ii-european-games-2019-directorate-set-up/ |website=National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus |access-date=12 May 2019 |date=12 May 2017 |archive-date=12 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512182547/http://www.noc.by/en/news/ii-european-games-2019-directorate-set-up/ |url-status=live }}

In April 2019, Lukashenko announced that the games were on budget and on time and eventually he opened the 2nd edition of the event on 21 June.{{cite web|title=President Aleksandr Lukashenko Emphasises Significance of European Games For Belarus|url=http://aroundtherings.com/site/A__76353/Title__PRESIDENT-ALEKSANDR-LUKASHENKO-EMPHASISES-SIGNIFICANCE-OF-EUROPEAN-GAMES-FOR-BELARUS/292/Articles|website=Around the Rings|access-date=12 May 2019|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512171048/http://aroundtherings.com/site/A__76353/Title__PRESIDENT-ALEKSANDR-LUKASHENKO-EMPHASISES-SIGNIFICANCE-OF-EUROPEAN-GAMES-FOR-BELARUS/292/Articles|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=European Games open in Belarus |url=https://www.trtworld.com/sport/european-games-open-in-belarus-27695 |website=TRT World |access-date=3 July 2019 |date=22 June 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703124946/https://www.trtworld.com/sport/european-games-open-in-belarus-27695 |url-status=live }} Between 1–3 July 2019, he oversaw the country's celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Minsk Offensive, which culminated in an evening military parade of the Armed Forces of Belarus on the last day, which is the country's Independence Day.{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/society/644087.html|title=Военный парад в честь 75-летия освобождения: Беларусь отметила День независимости|date=3 July 2019|website=Tut.By|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=28 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828060935/https://news.tut.by/society/644087.html|url-status=live}}File:Lukashenko and Zelenskyi (Oct 2019).jpg shaking hands with Lukashenko in Zhytomyr, October 2019]]In August 2019, Lukashenko met with former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has lived in exile in Minsk since 2010, in the Palace of Independence to mark Bakiyev's 70th birthday, which he had marked several days earlier.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvr.by/eng/news/prezident/aleksandr_lukashenko_provel_vstrechu_s_eks_prezidentom_kyrgyzstana_kurmanbekom_bakievym/ |title=Alexander Lukashenko meets with former President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev |website=tvr.by |date=6 August 2019 |access-date=9 August 2019 |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002175401/https://www.tvr.by/eng/news/prezident/aleksandr_lukashenko_provel_vstrechu_s_eks_prezidentom_kyrgyzstana_kurmanbekom_bakievym/ |url-status=dead }} The meeting, which included the presentation of traditional flowers and symbolic gifts, angered the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry which stated that the meeting "fundamentally does not meet the principles of friendship and cooperation between the two countries".{{cite web|url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/lukashenka-angers-kyrgyz-foreign-ministry/|title=Lukashenka angers Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry|website=belsat.eu|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808185045/https://belsat.eu/en/news/lukashenka-angers-kyrgyz-foreign-ministry/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://mfa.gov.kg/ru/osnovnoe-menyu/press-sluzhba/novosti/7-avgusta-2019-goda-v-ministerstvo-inostrannyh-del-kr-byl-vyzvan-vremennyy-poverennyy-v-delah-posolstva-respubliki-belarus-v-kyrgyzskoy-respublike-sivanov |title=В Министерство иностранных дел КР был вызван Временный Поверенный в делах Посольства Республики Беларусь в Кыргызской Республике С.Иванов – Министерство иностранных дел Кыргызской Республики |website=mfa.gov.kg |language=ru |access-date=9 August 2019 |archive-date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808234751/https://mfa.gov.kg/ru/osnovnoe-menyu/press-sluzhba/novosti/7-avgusta-2019-goda-v-ministerstvo-inostrannyh-del-kr-byl-vyzvan-vremennyy-poverennyy-v-delah-posolstva-respubliki-belarus-v-kyrgyzskoy-respublike-sivanov |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-fm-summons-belarusian-ambassador-over-lukashenka-bakiev-meeting/30097537.html|title=Kyrgyz FM Summons Belarusian Ambassador Over Lukashenka-Bakiev Meeting|website=rferl.org|date=7 August 2019 |access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808234752/https://www.rferl.org/amp/kyrgyz-fm-summons-belarusian-ambassador-over-lukashenka-bakiev-meeting/30097537.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://president.gov.by/ru/news_ru/view/vstrecha-s-eks-prezidentom-kyrgyzstana-kurmanbekom-bakievym-21729|title=Официальный интернет-портал Президента Республики Беларусь|website=president.gov.by|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008042319/http://president.gov.by/ru/news_ru/view/vstrecha-s-eks-prezidentom-kyrgyzstana-kurmanbekom-bakievym-21729/|url-status=live}} In November 2019, Lukashenko visited the Austrian capital of Vienna on a state visit, which was his first in three years to an EU country. During the visit, he met with President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein, and National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. He also paid his respects at the Soviet War Memorial at the Schwarzenbergplatz.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-visits-austria/a-51209658|title=Lukashenko ends his European isolation|website=amp.dw.com|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113070816/https://amp.dw.com/en/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-visits-austria/a-51209658|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/12/isolated-belarus-looks-towards-europe-despite-russian-overtures|title=Isolated Belarus looks towards Europe despite Russian overtures|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215163431/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2019/11/isolated-belarus-europe-russian-overtures-191112172615169.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/world/2019/11/12/belarus-leader-visits-austria-pushes-for-closer-eu-ties/|title=Belarus' leader visits Austria, pushes for closer EU ties|date=12 November 2019|website=WKMG|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=19 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119014842/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/world/2019/11/12/belarus-leader-visits-austria-pushes-for-closer-eu-ties/|url-status=live}}

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, he undertook two working visits to Russia, one of the few European leaders to undertake foreign visits during the pandemic. He also received Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán during his state visit to Minsk.{{Cite web|url=http://abouthungary.hu/speeches-and-remarks/statement-by-prime-minister-viktor-orban-following-his-talks-with-alexander-lukashenko-president-of-the-republic-of-belarus/|title=About Hungary – Statement by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán following his talks with Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus|website=abouthungary.hu|date=8 June 2020 |access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809131509/http://abouthungary.hu/speeches-and-remarks/statement-by-prime-minister-viktor-orban-following-his-talks-with-alexander-lukashenko-president-of-the-republic-of-belarus/|url-status=live}} Orbán called for an end to EU sanctions on Belarus during this visit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/orban-urges-end-to-eu-sanctions-on-belarus/|title=Orbán urges end to EU sanctions on Belarus|date=6 June 2020|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815033407/https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/orban-urges-end-to-eu-sanctions-on-belarus/|url-status=live}} His first visit to Russia was to attend the rescheduled Moscow Victory Day Parade on Red Square together with his son.{{cite web|url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-belarus-will-not-cancel-victory-day-celebrations-129349-2020/|website=eng.belta.by|title=Lukashenko: Belarus will not cancel Victory Day celebrations|date=27 March 2020 |access-date=27 March 2020|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327191250/https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-belarus-will-not-cancel-victory-day-celebrations-129349-2020/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2020 Belarusian presidential election|2020–2021 Belarusian protests}}

File:Лукашэнка на верталёце прыляцеў у Палац Незалежнасці.webm

On 9 August 2020, according to the preliminary count, Lukashenko was re-elected for his sixth term as the President of Belarus.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53717834|title=Belarus election: Clashes after poll predicts Lukashenko re-election|website=BBC News|date=10 August 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911124708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53717834|url-status=live}} US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the election was "not free [or] fair".{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/511382-us-deeply-concerned-over-election-in-belarus|title=US 'deeply concerned' over election in Belarus|website=The Hill|date=10 August 2020|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830214844/https://thehill.com/policy/international/511382-us-deeply-concerned-over-election-in-belarus|url-status=live}}

Mass protests erupted across Belarus following the 2020 Belarusian presidential election which was marred by allegations of widespread electoral fraud.{{Cite web|title=Presidential and Legislative Elections|url=https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190258658.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190258658-e-23|last=Jones|first=Mark P.|editor3-first=Matthew S|editor3-last=Shugart|editor2-first=Robert J|editor2-last=Pekkanen|editor1-first=Erik S|editor1-last=Herron|date=2018|website=The Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems|language=en|doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190258658.001.0001|isbn=9780190258658|access-date=21 May 2020|quote="unanimous agreement among serious scholars that... Lukashenko's 2015 election occurred within an authoritarian context."|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122054620/https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190258658.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190258658-e-23|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title = Lukashenka vs. democracy: Where is Belarus heading?|quote = However, the vote was marred by allegations of widespread fraud. These suspicions appeared to be confirmed by data from a limited number of polling stations that broke ranks with the government and identified opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the clear winner.|url = https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/lukashenko-vs-democracy-where-is-belarus-heading/|date = 10 August 2020|website = AtlanticCouncil|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200822131103/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/lukashenko-vs-democracy-where-is-belarus-heading/ |url-status=dead |archive-date = 22 August 2020|access-date = 16 August 2020}} Subsequently, opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote{{cite news |title=Belarus election: Exiled leader calls weekend of 'peaceful rallies' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53780685 |access-date=15 August 2020 |agency=BBC News |date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819182051/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53780685 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_05/|title=Belarus opposition candidate declares victory |website=NHK}}{{Dead link|date=April 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and formed a Coordination council to facilitate the peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Belarus.{{Cite web|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/681364.html|title=Ex-Belarusian presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya's HQ starts forming coordination council to ensure transition of power|website=Interfax-Ukraine|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129092320/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/681364.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/2654151658e4a01e36248a71a3911324|title=Thousands flood Belarus capital as election protests grow|date=14 August 2020|website=AP NEWS|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814091225/https://apnews.com/2654151658e4a01e36248a71a3911324|url-status=live}}

On 15 August 2020, Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevičius referred to Lukashenko as the "former president" of Belarus.{{Cite web|title=Tweet of Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL)|url=https://twitter.com/linkeviciusl/status/1294584461628264449|access-date=15 August 2020|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=23 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823085650/https://twitter.com/LinkeviciusL/status/1294584461628264449|url-status=live}} It was reported that President Lukashenko's authorities asked Kremlin representatives about the possibility of Lukashenko escaping to Russia. Furthermore, it was reported that Russia admits that Lukashenko's resignation from the post of head of state is likely.{{cite web|script-title=ru: Лукашенко планирует бегтсво в Россию|url=https://searchnews.info/russia/877063-stali-izvestny-vozmozhnye-plany-okruzhenija-lukashenko-o-begstve-iz-belorussii.html|date=15 August 2020|script-website=ru:searchnews|language=ru|access-date=15 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822115911/https://searchnews.info/russia/877063-stali-izvestny-vozmozhnye-plany-okruzhenija-lukashenko-o-begstve-iz-belorussii.html|url-status=live |title= }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2020/08/15/n_14803111.shtml|title=Bloomberg узнал о планах окружения Лукашенко в случае его свержения|website=Газета.Ru|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=16 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816035333/https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2020/08/15/n_14803111.shtml|url-status=live}}

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0010.jpg

On 17 August 2020, the members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement which stated that they do not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus, considering him to be persona non grata in the European Union.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/world/1190499|title=European Parliament does not recognize Lukashenko as elected president of Belarus|website=TASS|access-date=17 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120051/https://tass.com/world/1190499|url-status=live}} On 19 August, the member states of the European Union agreed to not recognise the results and issued a statement saying "The 9 August elections were neither free nor fair, therefore we do not recognise the results".{{cite web |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/08/19/conclusions-by-the-president-of-the-european-council-following-the-video-conference-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-19-august-2020/ |title=Conclusions by the President of the European Council following the video conference of the members of the European Council on 19 August 2020 |publisher=European Council |date=19 August 2020 |access-date=21 August 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722154158/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/08/19/conclusions-by-the-president-of-the-european-council-following-the-video-conference-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-19-august-2020/ |url-status=live }} The governments of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada have also refused to recognise the results. In an interview on 22 August, Josep Borrell explicitly stated that the European Union does not recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus in the same manner that it does not recognise Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.{{cite news|last=Cué|first=Carlos E.|date=22 August 2020|title=Borrell: "Lukashenko es como Maduro. No le reconocemos pero hay que tratarle"|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2020-08-22/borrell-lukashenko-es-como-maduro-no-le-reconocemos-pero-hay-que-tratarle.html|work=El País|language=es|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208213942/https://elpais.com/internacional/2020-08-22/borrell-lukashenko-es-como-maduro-no-le-reconocemos-pero-hay-que-tratarle.html|url-status=live}}

On 23 August 2020, footage emerged showing Lukashenko at the Independence Palace in Minsk. In the first two videos, he is seen walking near a helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding an assault rifle (possibly an AK-47){{Cite web|url=https://t.me/mkbelarus/9287|title=МАЯ КРАІНА БЕЛАРУСЬ|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913031909/https://t.me/mkbelarus/9287|url-status=live}} and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun.{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/nexta_live/9370|title=NEXTA Live|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913033008/https://t.me/nexta_live/9370|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/belsat/14694|title=Белсат|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913035238/https://t.me/belsat/14694|url-status=live}}

In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them".{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/nexta_live/9371|title=NEXTA Live|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913043704/https://t.me/nexta_live/9371|url-status=live}} On 30 August, the Independence Palace became again a scene of protests. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko on this day, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun.{{cite web|url=https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/30/poyavilos-novoe-foto-lukashenko-s-oruzhiem-segodnya-on-tozhe-naxodilsya-vo-dvorce-nezavisimosti|title=Появилось новое фото Лукашенко с оружием — сегодня он тоже находился во Дворце независимости|date=30 August 2020|website=people.onliner.by|language=ru|trans-title=A new photo of Lukashenka with a weapon has appeared – today he was also in the Palace of Independence|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831060746/https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/30/poyavilos-novoe-foto-lukashenko-s-oruzhiem-segodnya-on-tozhe-naxodilsya-vo-dvorce-nezavisimosti|url-status=live |last1=Мелкозеров |first1=Никита }}

File:Meeting of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko 02 (22-02-2021).jpg

On 23 September 2020, Lukashenko was formally inaugurated president for a sixth term in a ceremony at the Palace of Independence attended by an invited group of 700 guests.{{cite news |last1=Kalinovskaya |first1=Tatiana |title=Secret Lukashenko Inauguration Triggers Fresh Belarus Clashes |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/23/secret-lukashenko-inauguration-triggers-fresh-belarus-clashes-a71522 |access-date=24 September 2020 |work=Moscow Times |agency=Agence France Presse |date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925045741/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/23/secret-lukashenko-inauguration-triggers-fresh-belarus-clashes-a71522 |url-status=live }}

On 27 November 2020, Lukashenko announced that he would resign once Belarus' new constitution was adopted.{{Cite web|title=Belarus' Lukashenko says he will leave his post, state media reports|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/lukashenko-says-he-will-leave-his-post-after-months-protests-n1249124|access-date=28 November 2020|website=NBC News|date=27 November 2020 |language=en|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112153108/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/lukashenko-says-he-will-leave-his-post-after-months-protests-n1249124|url-status=live}}

In December, the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to exclude until further notice all members of the Belarusian Olympic Committee from all IOC events, specifically targeting Lukashenko who was elected as its chairman in 1997.{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-eb-takes-provisional-measures-against-noc-of-belarus |title=IOC EB TAKES PROVISIONAL MEASURES AGAINST NOC OF BELARUS |access-date=29 January 2021 |date=7 December 2020 |publisher=The International Olympic Committee |archive-date=16 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316222051/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-eb-takes-provisional-measures-against-noc-of-belarus |url-status=live }}

On 17 April 2021, Russia's FSB security service exposed an alleged military coup and assassination attempt of Lukashenko. Russia also stated that it prevented Lukashenko's murder. Two suspects, who were detained at Lukashenko's request, were Alyaksandr Feduta and Yuras Zyankovich. Both are critics of Lukashenko, with the latter being a dual American-Belarusian citizen, despite Belarus not recognizing dual citizenship.{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/05/6/7292711/ One of the defendants in the "assassination attempt on Lukashenko" case is seeking refugee status in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506214210/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/05/6/7292711/ |date=6 May 2021 }}, Ukrayinska Pravda (6 May 2021)
{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/04/17/7290605/The FSB involved Ukrainian nationalists in "preparing a coup in Belarus."]{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Ukrayinska Pravda (17 April 2021)

On 24 April 2021, Lukashenko announced that he would sign a decree to amend emergency transfer of power. "I will sign a decree about how the power in Belarus will be set up. If the President is shot the security council will get the power." Lukashenko is the head of the Security Council himself; however, his eldest son, Victor Lukashenko, is regarded as its informal leader. This move was seen to empower his son, to be in the perfect position to succeed him in the next elections. Under current law, the prime minister assumes the presidential powers if the presidency becomes vacant, but Lukashenko said that the prime minister will only become the nominal leader and all decisions would be taken by the 20-person security council, by secret ballot.{{Cite web |date=24 April 2021 |title=Belarus leader seeks to empower son in succession move |url=https://apnews.com/article/belarus-europe-government-and-politics-fbb7d43b13c48214ff9e2c5485f3a507 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}

File:Azerbaijani, Belarus presidents made press statements, April 2021 04.jpgi president Ilham Aliyev in Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2021|left|227x227px]]

On 5 May 2021, Belarusians in Germany filed a legal complaint against Lukashenko for 'state torture' and 'crimes against humanity.' If he enters Germany he risks trial or if convicted and enters Germany faces punishment given by court.[https://www.dw.com/en/lawyers-file-suit-against-belarus-lukashenko-in-germany/a-57432482 Lawyers file suit against Belarus' Lukashenko in Germany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507114022/https://www.dw.com/en/lawyers-file-suit-against-belarus-lukashenko-in-germany/a-57432482 |date=7 May 2021 }}, DW.com (5 May 2021) Lukashenko responded that Germany was not in a position to criticize him, referring to the German Government as the "Heirs of Fascism".{{Cite news |date=7 May 2021 |title='Heirs of fascism' can't judge me, Belarus leader says of criminal case in Germany |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/heirs-of-fascism-can-t-judge-me-belarus-leader-says-of-criminal-case-in-germany-idUSKBN2CO121/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Reuters}} At the same time, he said that he will not resign, a reversal from his statement in November, but said he will call early presidential elections if and only if the United States does so as well.{{Cite web |date=7 May 2021 |title=Lukashenko names conditions for early presidential election in Belarus |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/government/events/lukashenko-names-conditions-for-early-presidential-election-in-belarus_i_129403.html |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=www.belarus.by}}{{Cite web |date=7 May 2021 |title=Lukashenko names conditions for early presidential election in Belarus |url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-names-conditions-for-early-presidential-election-in-belarus-139711-2021/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=eng.belta.by |language=en-EN}}

File:Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states Summit gets underway in Samarkand 02.jpg, Xi Jinping, Modi and other leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, September 2022]]

On 9 May 2021, Lukashenko signed the decree, announced on 24 April 2021, titled "On the Protection of sovereignty and constitutional order". The contingency decree states that in the event that the President is unable to perform his duties, martial law will be immediately imposed and presidential power will be transferred to the Security Council, which is widely believed to be made up of strong allies of Lukashenko.{{Cite web |title=Belarus: President Signs Decree Implementing New Procedure for Transfer of Power |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2021-06-07/belarus-president-signs-decree-implementing-new-procedure-for-transfer-of-power/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}{{Cite news |date=9 May 2021 |title=Lukashenko signs decree to amend emergency transfer of power – Belta |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lukashenko-signs-decree-amend-emergency-transfer-power-belta-2021-05-09/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Reuters}}

On 24 June 2023, Lukashenko said he had negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin with the agreement of Vladimir Putin in ending the Wagner Group rebellion.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/24/wagner-chief-says-his-rebel-troops-turning-back-a81617|title=Wagner Chief Says His Rebel Troops 'Turning Back'|website=The Moscow Times|date=24 June 2023|access-date=24 June 2023|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624193126/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/24/wagner-chief-says-his-rebel-troops-turning-back-a81617|url-status=live}} Lukashenko told Wagner that he would be squashed like bugs if he tried to enter Belarus and warned that Putin would never agree to remove top generals, including Defense minister Sergei Shoigu. He promised to accommodate Wagner's troops in Belarus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/russia-bombs-busy-ukraine-restaurant-as-wagner-moves-to-belarus|title=Russia bombs busy Ukraine restaurant as Wagner moves to Belarus|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=28 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628051640/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/russia-bombs-busy-ukraine-restaurant-as-wagner-moves-to-belarus|url-status=live}} He claimed that Putin desired to destroy the Wagner Group after the mutiny and he prevented Putin from materializing the obliteration of the group.{{Cite web |last1=Picheta |first1=Rob |last2=Krebs |first2=Katharina |date=27 June 2023 |title=Lukashenko claims he stopped Putin from 'destroying' Wagner group |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/europe/lukashenko-wagner-rebellion-negotiations-putin-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=28 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628055756/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/europe/lukashenko-wagner-rebellion-negotiations-putin-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} Lukashenko's rule in the crisis raised his clout internationally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/what-is-belarus-gaining-from-helping-quell-wagner|title=Belarus role in Russia-Wagner feud 'boosts Lukashenko's clout'|first=Mansur|last=Mirovalev|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=27 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627224243/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/what-is-belarus-gaining-from-helping-quell-wagner|url-status=live}}

On 25 March 2023, Putin announced plans to install Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.{{Cite web |last1=Kostenko |first1=Heather |last2=Chen |first2=Hira |last3=Humayun |first3=Mariya |last4=Knight |first4=Andrew |last5=Carey |first5=Radina |last6=Gigova |first6=Maria |date=26 March 2023 |title=Russia plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Putin says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/world/russia-putin-nuclear-weapons-belarus-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} On 27 September 2024, Lukashenko warned that Belarus will use nuclear weapons if attacked by the West.{{cite news |url= https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/belarus-says-will-use-nuclear-weapons-in-case-of-an-attack/3343608 |publisher= Anadolu Agency |title= Belarus says will use nuclear weapons in case of an attack |first= Elena |last= Teslova |date= 27 September 2024 |access-date= 28 September 2024}}

File:Heads of delegations attending the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day at a concert before dinner (2025).jpg during the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on 9 May 2025]]

Lukashenko was reelected in the 2025 Belarusian presidential election on 26 January, with official results showing that he had won around 88% of the vote.{{Cite web |last= |date=26 January 2025 |title=Lukashenko on track to win with 88% in Belarus election scorned by West as a sham |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/west-cries-foul-over-belarus-election-lukashenko-eyes-seventh-term-2025-01-26/ |access-date=26 January 2025 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Faustine |first=Vincent |date=27 January 2025 |title=Autocrat Alexander Lukashenko grants himself landslide presidential victory in Belarus |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/27/autocrat-alexander-lukashenko-grants-himself-landslide-presidential-victory-in-belarus_6737465_4.html |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=Le Monde |language=en}} He was inaugurated for his seventh term as president on 25 March.{{Cite web |title=Authoritarian leader of Belarus is sworn for a 7th term and tells his critics ‘you have no future’ |url=https://apnews.com/article/belarus-lukashenko-election-inauguration-crackdown-7b5d85b8400d678a19608f3054e63350 |access-date=25 March 2025 |website=AP News |date=25 March 2025 }}

{{See also|Politics of Belarus|Human rights in Belarus}}

The political system of Lukashenko has become colloquially known as "Lukashism" or "Lukashenkoism".Dictionary Of Public Administration, 2007, {{ISBN|8176257842}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Hs0xJORVIHwC&pg=PA274 p. 274] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015001108/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hs0xJORVIHwC&pg=PA274 |date=15 October 2023 }} John Sweeney summarised Lukashism as "a mutant version of the Soviet Union's deal with its people: they pretend to pay us, and we pretend to work; we pretend to vote for him; he pretends that the vote is fair".John Sweeney, [https://neweasterneurope.eu/2013/01/02/the-dark-state-part-ii/ The Dark State – Part II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015001109/https://neweasterneurope.eu/2013/01/02/the-dark-state-part-ii/ |date=15 October 2023 }}, 2 January 2013

Lukashenko promotes himself as a "man of the people." Lukashenko wanted to rebuild Belarus when he took office;{{cite news |title=Lukashenko's first term as president |date=16 March 2006 |url=http://brusselsreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=211&Itemid=5 |work=Brussels Review |access-date=21 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020194441/http://brusselsreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=211&Itemid=5 |archive-date=20 October 2007 |url-status=dead}} the economy was in freefall due to declining industry and lack of demand for Belarusian goods.{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/belarus/30.htm |title=Belarus – Industry |access-date=8 October 2007 |year=1995 |work=Country Studies |publisher=Library of Congress |archive-date=23 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923085330/http://countrystudies.us/belarus/30.htm |url-status=live }} Lukashenko kept many industries under the control of the government.{{cite book | last = Karatnycky | first = Adrian |author2=Alexander J. Motyl|author3=Amanda Schnetzer | title = Nations in Transit, 2001 | publisher = Transaction Publishers |year=2001 | page = 101 | isbn = 0-7658-0897-8}} In 2001, he stated his intention to improve the social welfare of his citizens and to make Belarus "powerful and prosperous."{{cite news | title=Lukashenko Sworn in as Belarusian President | date=21 September 2001 | work=People's Daily | url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200109/21/eng20010921_80711.html | access-date=17 October 2007 | archive-date=12 June 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612210808/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200109/21/eng20010921_80711.html | url-status=live }}

With the ascent to power of Lukashenko in 1994, the Russification policy of Russian Imperial and Soviet era was renewed.[https://belarusdigest.com/story/author/vadzim-smok/ Vadzim Smok] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101094557/https://belarusdigest.com/story/author/vadzim-smok/ |date=1 November 2020 }}. [https://belarusdigest.com/papers/belarusianidentity.pdf Belarusian Identity: the Impact of Lukashenka's Rule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418120332/https://belarusdigest.com/papers/belarusianidentity.pdf |date=18 April 2021 }} // Analytical Paper. Ostrogorski Centre, BelarusDigest, 9 December 2013.[https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/belarus-has-identity-crisis/ Belarus has an identity crisis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226140713/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/belarus-has-identity-crisis/ |date=26 December 2019 }} // openDemocracy[http://novychas.by/hramadstva/halounaja-bjada-belarusau-u-belarusi-mova Галоўная бяда беларусаў у Беларусі — мова] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415164941/https://novychas.by/hramadstva/halounaja-bjada-belarusau-u-belarusi-mova |date=15 April 2020 }} // Novy Chas {{in lang|be}}[https://nn.by/?c=ar&i=100322 Аляксандар Русіфікатар] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425101222/https://nn.by/?c=ar&i=100322 |date=25 April 2020 }} // Nasha Niva {{in lang|be}} In 2006, Lukashenko said that people who speak Belarusian language cannot do anything, because nothing great can be expressed in Belarusian as the Belarusian language is a poor language and there are only two great languages in the world: Russian and English.{{cite web |last1=Tsurkan |first1=Kate |title=In Lukashenko's Belarus, Belarusian culture is not welcome |url=https://kyivindependent.com/in-lukashenkos-belarus-belarusian-culture-is-not-welcome/ |website=The Kyiv Independent |access-date=21 January 2024 |date=20 July 2023 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127114605/https://kyivindependent.com/in-lukashenkos-belarus-belarusian-culture-is-not-welcome/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Coakley |first1=Amanda |title=Inside the Fight To Preserve the Belarusian Language |url=https://time.com/6224762/fight-to-preserve-belarusian-language/ |magazine=Time |access-date=21 January 2024 |language=en |date=28 October 2022 |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206010426/https://time.com/6224762/fight-to-preserve-belarusian-language/ |url-status=live }}

Since the November 1996 referendum, Lukashenko has effectively held all governing power in the nation. Under the Constitution, if the House of Representatives rejects his choice for prime minister twice, he has the right to dissolve it. His decrees have greater weight than ordinary legislation. He also has near-absolute control over government spending; parliament can only increase or decrease spending with his permission. However, the legislature is dominated by his supporters in any event, and there is no substantive opposition to presidential decisions. Indeed, every seat in the lower house has been held by pro-Lukashenko MPs for all but one term since 2004. He also appoints eight members of the upper house, the Council of the Republic, as well as nearly all judges.

{{See also|Economy of Belarus}}

Lukashenko's early economic policies aimed to prevent issues that occurred in other post-Soviet states, such as the establishment of oligarchic structures and mass unemployment.{{cite web |url=http://www.president.gov.by/en/press10663.html |title=The official internet-portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus/State Policy |website=President.gov.by |date=11 May 1998 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=5 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505004032/http://www.president.gov.by/en/press10663.html |url-status=live }} The unemployment rate for the country at the end of 2011 was at 0.6% of the population (of 6.86 million eligible workers), a decrease from 1995, when unemployment was 2.9% with a working-eligible population of 5.24 million.{{cite web|url=http://belstat.gov.by/homep/en/indicators/labor.php |title=Labour |website=Belstat.gov.by |access-date=7 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011152228/http://belstat.gov.by/homep/en/indicators/labor.php |archive-date=11 October 2007}} The per-capita gross national income rose from US$1,423 in 1993 to US$5,830 at the end of 2011.{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/country/belarus |title=Belarus: Data |publisher=World Bank |date=30 November 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=29 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229072259/http://data.worldbank.org/country/belarus |url-status=live }}

One major economic issue Lukashenko faced throughout his presidency was the value of the Belarusian ruble. For a time it was pegged to major foreign currencies, such as the euro, US dollar and the Russian ruble in order to maintain the stability of the Belarusian ruble.{{cite web |url=http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=235239 |title=National Bank to peg Belarusian ruble to foreign currency system in 2009 |website=Belta |date=17 June 2008 |access-date=9 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219190847/http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=235239 |archive-date=19 February 2013 }} Yet, the currency has experienced several periods of devaluation. A major devaluation took place in 2011 after the government announced that average salaries would increase to US$500.{{Explain|date=July 2019|reason=Relative to what and why is this relevant to a biographical entry rather than the country page}}{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The 2011 devaluation was the largest on record for the past twenty years according to the World Bank.{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/7391692.html |title=Ruble devaluation spreads panic among Belarusians |work=People's Daily |date=26 May 2011 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714124407/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/7391692.html |url-status=live }}

Belarus also had to seek a bailout from international sources and, although it has received loans from China, loans from the IMF and other agencies depend on how Belarus reforms its economy.{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-10/30/c_131938257.htm |title=Belarus eyes new IMF loans |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107013609/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-10/30/c_131938257.htm |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14706646 |title=RBS agrees to end work for Belarus |publisher=BBC |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=1 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201224745/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14706646 |url-status=live }}

Some critics of Lukashenko, including the opposition group Zubr, use the term Lukashism to refer to the political and economic system Lukashenko has implemented in Belarus.Potupa, Aleksandr (2 May 1997). [http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=19641&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=219 "Lukashism" has the potential to spread beyond Belarus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233849/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=19641&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=219 |date=3 March 2016 }}. Prism, Volume: 3 Issue: 6. The term is also used more broadly to refer to an authoritarian ideology based on a cult of his personality and nostalgia for Soviet times among certain groups in Belarus.{{cite web |url=http://www.open.by/belarus-now/cont/1998/1117/politics/bg5-pol.html |title=A museum to commemorate victims of communism |access-date=13 October 2007 |last=Dubina |first=Yuras |year=1998 |publisher=Belarus Now |quote=Belarusian MPs propose to dedicate a section in the future museum to Lukashism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928082144/http://www.open.by/belarus-now/cont/1998/1117/politics/bg5-pol.html |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.zubr-belarus.com/english/index.php?show=oldpress/oldpress058 |title=Beware of Lukashism! |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=Zubr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929011937/http://www.zubr-belarus.com/english/index.php?show=oldpress%2Foldpress058 |archive-date=29 September 2007|url-status=dead}}

The US Congress sought to aid the opposition groups by passing the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 to introduce sanctions against Lukashenko's government and provide financial and other support to the opposition.{{cite web |url = https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041020-14.html |title = Statement on the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 |access-date = 13 October 2007 |author = Office of the Press secretary |date = 20 October 2004 |publisher = The White House |archive-date = 17 June 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090617014259/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041020-14.html |url-status = live }}

Lukashenko supporters argue that his rule spared Belarus the turmoil that beset many other former Soviet countries.{{cite web |url=http://www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews/032006/528.html |title=Belarus protesters go on trial as new rallies loom |access-date=13 October 2007 |last=Pavlov |first=Nikolai |date=27 March 2006|work=Belarus News and Analysis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009213507/http://www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews/032006/528.html |archive-date=9 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}[http://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/pl108347.pdf The Belarus Democracy Act of 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212043401/http://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/pl108347.pdf |date=12 December 2012 }}. house.gov. 20 October 2004. Lukashenko commented on the criticism of him by saying: "I've been hearing these accusations for over 10 years and we have got used to it. We are not going to answer them. I want to come from the premise that the elections in Belarus are held for ourselves. I am sure that it is the Belarusian people who are the masters in our state."{{cite news |title=Profile: Alexander Lukashenko |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3882843.stm |work=BBC News |date=9 January 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017084807/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3882843.stm |archive-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=live}}

Global Finance magazine listed Belarus as the 115th poorest country in the world in 2024.{{cite web |last1=Ventura |first1=Luca |title=Poorest Countries in the World 2024 |url=https://gfmag.com/data/economic-data/poorest-country-in-the-world/ |website=Global Finance |access-date=26 January 2025 |date=6 May 2024}}

{{main|COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus}}

File:Лукашенко- Как закрыли-! Я вас заставил не делать этого! -- Лида. Центральная районная больница.webm

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lukashenko stated that concerns about the pandemic were a "frenzy and a psychosis" and that working the tractors, drinking vodka and going to saunas could prevent people from infection from the virus. "People are working in tractors. No one is talking about the virus", Lukashenko said on 16 March 2020. "There, the tractor will heal everyone. The fields heal everyone". He also said: "I don't drink, but recently I've been saying that people should not only wash their hands with vodka, but also poison the virus with it. You should drink the equivalent of 40–50 milliliters of rectified spirit daily", but he advised against doing so while at work. Lukashenko described these comments as a joke.{{cite news|last=Dixon|first=Robyn|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/no-lockdown-here-belaruss-strongman-rejects-coronavirus-risks-he-suggests-saunas-and-vodka/2020/03/27/7aab812c-7025-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html|title=No lockdown here: Belarus's strongman rejects coronavirus risks. He suggests saunas and vodka|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=27 March 2020|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=8 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508122325/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/no-lockdown-here-belaruss-strongman-rejects-coronavirus-risks-he-suggests-saunas-and-vodka/2020/03/27/7aab812c-7025-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/29/football/football-continues-belarus-coronavirus-lockdown-spt-intl/index.html|publisher=CNN|first=Matias|last=Grez|title=Football is shut down across Europe due to the coronavirus, but in Belarus it's business as usual|access-date=30 March 2020|date=29 March 2020|archive-date=30 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330010112/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/29/football/football-continues-belarus-coronavirus-lockdown-spt-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/belarusian-leader-prescribes-sport-sauna-and-vodka-to-beat-covid-19-1.4217093|title=Belarusian leader prescribes sport, sauna and vodka to beat Covid-19|first=Daniel|last=McLaughlin|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=4 May 2022|archive-date=28 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028030241/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/belarusian-leader-prescribes-sport-sauna-and-vodka-to-beat-covid-19-1.4217093|url-status=live}} By early May, Belarus was reported to have 15,000 diagnosed cases, one of the highest per capita rates of infection in Eastern Europe.{{cite news|last=Khurshudyan|first=Isabelle|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/coronavirus-is-spreading-rapidly-in-belarus-but-its-leader-still-denies-theres-a-problem/2020/05/01/a2532ba0-8964-11ea-80df-d24b35a568ae_story.html|title=Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Belarus, but its leader still denies there is a problem|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2 May 2020|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=8 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508071856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/coronavirus-is-spreading-rapidly-in-belarus-but-its-leader-still-denies-theres-a-problem/2020/05/01/a2532ba0-8964-11ea-80df-d24b35a568ae_story.html|url-status=live}}

On 28 July 2020, Lukashenko announced he had asymptomatic COVID-19.{{Cite web|last=Haltiwanger|first=John|title=Europe's last dictator got COVID-19 after telling people they could avoid it by drinking vodka and going to the sauna|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-last-dictator-belarus-lukashenko-covid-19-vodka-sauna-2020-7|access-date=28 July 2020|website=Business Insider|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728192003/https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-last-dictator-belarus-lukashenko-covid-19-vodka-sauna-2020-7|url-status=live}} Neither the Presidential Administration nor the country's health service have commented on this statement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-who-said-vodka-would-cure-the-coronavirus-tests-positive-and-recovers|title=Belarus President, Who Said Vodka Would Cure the Coronavirus, Says He Tested Positive and Recovered|first=Blake|last=Montgomery|date=28 July 2020|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812102921/https://www.thedailybeast.com/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-who-said-vodka-would-cure-the-coronavirus-tests-positive-and-recovers|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-belarus/belarus-president-says-he-survived-coronavirus-on-his-feet-idUSKCN24T258|work=Reuters|title=Belarus president says he survived coronavirus 'on his feet'|date=28 July 2020|access-date=21 April 2021|last1=Makhovsky|first1=Andrei|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421145752/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-belarus/belarus-president-says-he-survived-coronavirus-on-his-feet-idUSKCN24T258|url-status=live}}

On 12 August 2021, Lukashenko stated that he is strongly opposed to making vaccination mandatory. "There will be no mandatory vaccination in Belarus. I am strongly against it. Vaccination will remain voluntary. If a person wants to be vaccinated it is good, if not, let it be".{{Cite web|date=12 August 2021|title=Lukashenko against mandatory vaccination in Belarus|url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-against-mandatory-vaccination-in-belarus-142451-2021/|access-date=14 August 2021|website=eng.belta.by|language=en-EN|archive-date=21 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121161107/https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-against-mandatory-vaccination-in-belarus-142451-2021/|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Human rights issues related to the suppression of the 2020 Belarusian protests|List of deaths related to the 2020 Belarusian protests}}

On 1 September 2020, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) declared that its experts received reports of 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of people who were arrested during the protests following the presidential election. The experts also received reports of violence against women and children, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons.{{cite web |url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26199&LangID=E |title=UN human rights experts: Belarus must stop torturing protesters and prevent enforced disappearances |date=1 September 2020 |access-date=1 September 2020 |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928194821/https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26199&LangID=E |url-status=live }} According to the OHCHR, both male and female detainees were subjected to rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Medical records reviewed by OHCHR indicate lesions and other injuries to the male genitalia associated with forcible twisting and rape. Psychological violence, including threats of rape, was also used against detainees.{{cite web |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2022/03/interactive-dialogue-high-commissioners-report-belarus |title=Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on Belarus |date=17 March 2022 |access-date= |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317140035/https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2022/03/interactive-dialogue-high-commissioners-report-belarus |url-status=live }}

At least three detainees suffered injuries indicative of sexual violence in Okrestino prison in Minsk or on the way there. The victims were hospitalized with intramuscular bleeding of the rectum, anal fissure and bleeding, and damage to the mucous membrane of the rectum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boell.de/de/2020/10/29/das-verpruegelte-minsk|title=Das verprügelte Minsk|website=Boell.de|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027044215/https://www.boell.de/de/2020/10/29/das-verpruegelte-minsk|url-status=live}}

In an interview from September 2020 Lukashenko claimed that detainees faked their bruises, saying, "Some of the girls there had their butts painted in blue".{{cite news | title=Lukashenko blames Americans and drunks for Belarus protests | date=9 September 2020 | work=MSN | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/lukashenko-blames-americans-and-drunks-for-belarus-protests/vp-BB18ShbU | access-date=20 May 2021 | archive-date=20 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520124755/https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/lukashenko-blames-americans-and-drunks-for-belarus-protests/vp-BB18ShbU | url-status=live }} In November 2021, however, Lukashenko confirmed in an interview to the British Broadcasting Corporation that people were beaten in Okrestino, saying: "OK, OK, I admit it, I admit it. People were beaten in the Okrestina Detention Centre. But there were police beaten up too and you didn't show this."{{cite news | title=Belarus's Lukashenko tells BBC: We may have helped migrants into EU | date=19 November 2021 | work=British Broadcasting Corporation | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59343815 | access-date=20 November 2021 | archive-date=20 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120081442/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59343815 | url-status=live }}

In January 2021, an audio recording was released in which the commander of internal troops and deputy interior minister of Belarus Mikalai Karpiankou tells security forces that they can cripple, maim and kill protesters in order to make them understand their actions. This, he says, is justified because anyone who takes to the streets is participating in a kind of guerrilla warfare. In addition, he discussed the establishment of camps, surrounded by barbed wire, where protesters will be detained until the situation calms down. A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry stamped the audio file as a fake.{{cite news | title=Belarus authorities criticised over tape discussing internment camps for protesters | date=25 January 2021 | work=Reuters | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-recording-idUKKBN29K27I | access-date=24 February 2021 | archive-date=2 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502040124/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-recording-idUKKBN29K27I | url-status=live }}{{cite news | title='Use your weapon' Leaked recording implicates Lukashenko in authorizing use of lethal force against Belarusian protesters | date=25 January 2021 | work=Meduza | url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/01/15/use-your-weapon | access-date=24 February 2021 | archive-date=26 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226133703/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/01/15/use-your-weapon | url-status=live }}

However, a phonoscopic examination of the audio recording confirmed that the voice on the recording belongs to Karpiankou.{{cite news | title=Кто говорил про "лагерь для острокопытных" на слитой аудиозаписи? Мы получили результаты экспертизы | date=25 January 2021 | work=Tut.By | url=https://news.tut.by/society/717286.html | access-date=24 February 2021 | archive-date=2 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202163122/https://news.tut.by/society/717286.html | url-status=dead }} The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe expressed its concern about the remarks.{{cite news | title=OSCE demanding release of political prisoners in Belarus | date=3 February 2021 | work=Belsat | url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/03-02-2021-osce-demanding-release-of-political-prisoners-in-belarus/ | access-date=24 February 2021 | archive-date=27 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227014551/https://belsat.eu/en/news/03-02-2021-osce-demanding-release-of-political-prisoners-in-belarus/ | url-status=live }} According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, such a camp was indeed used near the town of Slutsk in the days from 13 to 15 August 2020. Many of those detained there are said to have been brought from the Okrestina prison in Minsk.{{cite news | title=Detained Belarusian Protesters Describe August Stay In Internment Camp | date=29 January 2021 | work=Radio Liberty | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/31076165.html | access-date=24 February 2021 | archive-date=24 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224071408/https://www.rferl.org/a/31076165.html | url-status=live }}

In March 2023, Lukashenko signed a law which allows to use capital punishment against officials and soldiers convicted of high treason.{{cite web |title=Belarus approves death penalty for officials convicted of high treason |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-approves-death-penalty-officials-convicted-high-treason-2023-03-09/ |website=Reuters |access-date=6 February 2024 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725051228/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-approves-death-penalty-officials-convicted-high-treason-2023-03-09/ |url-status=live }}

File:Zniknąć 03 - Czarownik ciągnie za uszy.jpg in 2004, raising awareness about the disappearances of opposition activists in Belarus]]

In 1999 opposition leaders Yury Zacharanka and Viktar Hanchar together with his business associate Anatol Krasouski disappeared. Hanchar and Krasouski disappeared the same day of a broadcast on state television in which President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the chiefs of his security services to crack down on "opposition scum." Although the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (KGB) had them under constant surveillance, the official investigation announced that the case could not be solved. The investigation of the disappearance of journalist Dzmitry Zavadski in 2000 has also yielded no results. Copies of a report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which linked senior Belarusian officials to the cases of disappearances, were confiscated.{{cite news |title=16 Years of Silence: Enforced Disappearances in Belarus Must Be Investigated |url=http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/16-years-of-silence-enforced-disappearances-in-belarus-must-be-investigated/ |newspaper=Amnesty International |date=18 September 2015 |access-date=30 August 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921193101/http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/16-years-of-silence-enforced-disappearances-in-belarus-must-be-investigated/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2004, the European Union and the United States issued travel bans for five Belarusian officials suspected in being involved in the kidnapping of Zacharanka: Interior Affairs Minister Vladimir Naumov, Prosecutor General Viktor Sheiman, Minister for Sports and Tourism Yuri Sivakov, and Colonel Dmitri Pavlichenko from the Belarus Interior Ministry.{{cite news |url=http://english.pravda.ru/world/europe/28-09-2004/7115-nongrata-0/ |title=USA, EU declare Belarus officials personas non grata |publisher=Pravda |date=28 September 2008 |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121251/http://english.pravda.ru/world/europe/28-09-2004/7115-nongrata-0/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2019, Deutsche Welle published a documentary film in which Yury Garavski, a former member of a special unit of the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirmed that it was his unit which had arrested, taken away and murdered Zecharanka and that they later did the same with Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krassouski.{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-how-death-squads-targeted-opposition-politicians/a-51685204|title=Belarus: How death squads targeted opposition politicians|last1=Trippe|first1=Christian F.|last2=Sotnik|first2=Ekaterina|date=16 December 2019|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=en|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118232619/https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-how-death-squads-targeted-opposition-politicians/a-51685204|url-status=live}}

On 4 January 2021, the EU Observer reported that new evidence, including documents and audio recordings, provide that Belarusian secret services planned to murder dissidents abroad.{{Cite web|title=[Investigation] Exclusive: Lukashenko plotted murders in Germany|url=https://euobserver.com/foreign/150486|access-date=11 January 2021|website=EUobserver|date=4 January 2021 |language=en|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113121946/https://euobserver.com/foreign/150486|url-status=live}} An audio file, allegedly being a recording from a bugged meeting in 2012, reveals Vadim Zaitsev, the KGB chairman at the time, discussing the murder plot with two officers from the KGB's Alpha Group, an elite counter-terrorism unit. Translated from Russian, one of the voices in the recording says, "We should be working with Sheremet, who is a massive pain in the arse [inaudible]. We'll plant [a bomb] and so on and this fucking rat will be taken down in fucking pieces, legs in one direction, arms in the other direction. If everything [looks like] natural causes, it won't get into people's minds the same way." In addition to planting a bomb, they also discuss poisoning Sheremet.

On 23 May 2021, Lukashenko personally ordered Ryanair Flight 4978 en route from Athens to Vilnius, carrying the opposition journalist Roman Protasevich, to land in Belarus.{{Cite web|date=23 May 2021|title=Plane carrying Belarusian opposition figure ordered to divert to Minsk by President Alexander Lukashenko|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-24/plane-carrying-opposition-figure-diverted-to-belarus/100159524|url-status=live|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Abc.net.au|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523173025/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-24/plane-carrying-opposition-figure-diverted-to-belarus/100159524 |archive-date=23 May 2021 }} The flight was forced to land at Minsk International Airport shortly before it reached the Lithuanian border after Belarusian air traffic control conveyed a report of explosives on board the plane. The flight was escorted by a Belarusian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet. Belarusian authorities said no explosives were found and arrested Protasevich, who was placed in a list of "individuals involved in terrorist activity" the previous year for his role in the anti-government protests and incitement to Public disorder. The move was condemned by opposition figures, with Tsikhanouskaya saying that Protasevich "faces the death penalty" in Belarus.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-forces-vilnius-bound-ryanair-plane-land-detain-blogger-2021-05-23/|title=Belarus forces Ryanair plane bound for Vilnius to land, infuriating Lithuania|website=Reuters.com|date=23 May 2021|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524000905/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-forces-vilnius-bound-ryanair-plane-land-detain-blogger-2021-05-23/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57219860|title=Belarus 'diverts Ryanair flight to arrest journalist', says opposition|website=BBC News|date=23 May 2021|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523174629/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57219860|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-diverts-plane-to-arrest-journalist-says-opposition/a-57635240|title=Belarus diverts plane to arrest journalist, says opposition|website=Dw.com|date=23 May 2021|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523172128/https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-diverts-plane-to-arrest-journalist-says-opposition/a-57635240|url-status=live}}

{{Further|Foreign relations of Belarus}}

{{Further|Belarus–Russia relations|Union State}}

File:Vladimir Putin 14 May 2002-8.jpg during a news conference in 2002]]

In the 1990s, Lukashenko and the then-Russian president Boris Yeltsin envisaged the formation of a Union State. Yeltsin suffered from poor health and alcoholism, which induced Lukashenko into thinking that he would lead both states. But After Yeltsin anointed Putin as his successor, Lukashenko stalled the merger.

Lukashenko's relationship with Russia, once his powerful ally and vocal supporter, has significantly deteriorated. The run-up to the 2010 Belarusian presidential election was marked by a series of Russian media attacks on Lukashenko. Throughout July state-controlled channel NTV broadcast a multi-part documentary entitled "The Godfather" highlighting the suspicious disappearance of the opposition leaders Yury Zacharanka and Viktar Hanchar, businessman Anatol Krasouski and journalist Dzmitry Zavadski during the late 1990s.RFE/RL. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Is_Lukashenka_In_The_Kremlins_Crosshairs/2094771.html Is Lukashenka In The Kremlin's Crosshairs?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220427/http://www.rferl.org/content/Is_Lukashenka_In_The_Kremlins_Crosshairs/2094771.html |date=3 March 2016 }}. (8 July 2010). Lukashenko called the media attack "dirty propaganda".RFE/RL. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Lukashenka_Calls_Russian_Media_Attacks_Dirty_Propoganda/2103572.html Lukashenka Calls Russian Media Attacks 'Dirty Propaganda' ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921095319/http://www.rferl.org/content/Lukashenka_Calls_Russian_Media_Attacks_Dirty_Propoganda/2103572.html |date=21 September 2016 }}. (29 July 2010).

File:Mishustin and Lukashenko (2020-09-03) 01.jpg in 2020]]

Despite a historically good relationship with Russia, tensions between Lukashenko and the Russian government started showing in 2020.{{Cite news|title=Lukashenka Accuses Moscow Of Pressuring Belarus Into Russian Merger|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-belarus-accuses-russia-pressuring-merger/30396235.html|access-date=9 August 2020|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=25 January 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029195853/https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-belarus-accuses-russia-pressuring-merger/30396235.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=31 July 2020|title=Belarus: Lukashenko accuses Russian mercenaries, critics of plotting attack|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-lukashenko-accuses-russian-mercenaries-critics-of-plotting-attack/a-54398681|access-date=9 August 2020|website=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808054704/https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-lukashenko-accuses-russian-mercenaries-critics-of-plotting-attack/a-54398681|url-status=live}} On 24 January 2020, Lukashenko publicly accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of trying to make Belarus a part of Russia. This led to Russia cutting economic subsidies for Belarus.{{Cite web|title=Russia warns Belarus will pay price for contractors' arrests|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/russia-warns-belarus-will-pay-price-for-contractors-arrests-1.640179|access-date=9 August 2020|website=Stars and Stripes|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809172744/https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/russia-warns-belarus-will-pay-price-for-contractors-arrests-1.640179|url-status=dead}} In July 2020, the relationship between Belarus and Russia was described as "strained" after 33 Russian military contractors were arrested in Minsk.

Lukashenko afterwards accused Russia of collaborating with opposition activist Siarhei Tsikhanouski and trying to cover up an attempt to send 200 fighters from a private Russian military firm known as the Wagner Group into Belarus on a mission to destabilize the country ahead of its 9 August presidential election.{{cite news|date=4 August 2020|title=Belarus ruler Lukashenko says Russia lying over 'mercenaries'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817145300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Belarusian President Accuses Russia Of Trying To Cover Up Vagner Group Election Plot|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-diplomats-meet-detained-vagner-contractors-in-minsk-jail/30761549.html|access-date=9 August 2020|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808230911/https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-diplomats-meet-detained-vagner-contractors-in-minsk-jail/30761549.html|url-status=live}} On 5 August 2020, Russia's security chief Dmitry Medvedev warned Belarus to release the contractors. Lukashenko also claimed Russia was lying about its attempts to use the Wagner Group to influence the upcoming election.{{Cite news|date=4 August 2020|title=Belarus ruler says Russia lying over 'mercenaries'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817145300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|url-status=live}}

File:CSTO Summit 2022 02.jpg (CSTO), in Moscow on 16 May 2022]]

On 11 November 2021, Lukashenko raised the possibility of interrupting the Yamal–Europe pipeline carrying Russian gas to the European Union if the bloc imposes further sanctions on Belarus.{{cite news |title=Belarus Warns Against New EU Sanctions, Says Could Cut Gas |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/11/11/belarus-warns-against-new-eu-sanctions-says-could-cut-gas-a75532 |work=The Moscow Times |date=11 November 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111153438/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/11/11/belarus-warns-against-new-eu-sanctions-says-could-cut-gas-a75532 |url-status=live }} Putin said that Lukashenko had not consulted him before raising the possibility of stopping gas deliveries coming from Russia to the EU via a pipeline through Belarus, adding that such a move would risk harming ties between Belarus and Russia.{{cite news |title=Putin chides Lukashenko over threat to cut off gas to EU |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-lukashenko-gas-supplies-crisis-migration/ |work=Politico |date=13 November 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121163545/https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-lukashenko-gas-supplies-crisis-migration/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2022, Lukashenko permitted Russian forces to stage part of the invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory.{{cite news |author-last1=Lister |author-first1=Tim |author-last2=Kesa |author-first2=Julia |title=Ukraine says it was attacked through Russian, Belarus and Crimea borders |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-23-22/h_82bf44af2f01ad57f81c0760c6cb697c |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=CNN |date=24 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224071121/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-23-22/h_82bf44af2f01ad57f81c0760c6cb697c |url-status=live }} Commenting on the war in Ukraine Lukashenko has said that he didn't expect the conflict “drag on this way.”{{cite news |url= https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-aab9f48d6c4941d2f4d4b5d3fa8ed751 |title= 'Seemed like goodbye': Mariupol defenders make their stand |work= AP |date= 5 May 2022 |access-date= 6 May 2022 |archive-date= 11 May 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220511192916/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-aab9f48d6c4941d2f4d4b5d3fa8ed751 |url-status= live }} In June 2023, Lukashenko claimed that "the only mistake we made’ was not finishing off Ukraine with Russia in 2014".{{cite web |title=Belarus' Lukashenko: 'The only mistake we made' was not finishing off Ukraine with Russia in 2014 |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-alexander-lukashenko-mistake-not-invade-ukraine-russia-2014-vladimir-putin/ |website=Politico |date=2 June 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129205012/https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-alexander-lukashenko-mistake-not-invade-ukraine-russia-2014-vladimir-putin/ |url-status=live }} In August 2024, Lukashenko urged both Russia and Ukraine to start peace negotiations, saying in an interview with Russian state television: "Neither the Ukrainian people, nor the Russians, nor the Belarusians need it. It’s them in the West, who need [the war]."{{cite news |title=Kremlin ally Belarus calls for peace in Russia-Ukraine 'scuffle' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-aleksandr-lukashenko-russia-vladimir-putin-ukraine-war-peace-scuffle/ |work=Politico |date=15 August 2024}} He accused the West of supporting Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region.{{cite news |title=Lukashenko urges Russia and Ukraine to end war as Kursk incursion continues |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/lukashenko-urges-russia-and-ukraine-to-end-war-as-kursk-incursion-continues/ |work=Euractiv |date=16 August 2024}}

{{Further|Belarus–European Union relations}}

Lukashenko's relationship with the EU has been strained, in part by choice and in part by his policies towards domestic opponents. Lukashenko's repression of opponents caused him to be called "Europe's last dictator" and resulted in the EU imposing visa sanctions on him and a range of Belarusian officials. At times, the EU has lifted sanctions as a way to encourage dialogue or gain concessions from Lukashenko.Czachor, Rafał (2011) Polityka zagraniczna Republiki Białoruś w latach 1991–2011. Studium politologiczne, Wydawnictwo DWSPiT, Polkowice, p. 299, {{ISBN|978-83-61234-72-2}} Since the EU adopted this policy of "change through engagement", it has supported economic and political reforms to help integrate the Belarusian state.{{cite news|last=Makhovsky|first=Andrei|title=Belarus leader calls for dialogue with European Union|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/belarus-president-eu-idUSL5E8G8E6320120508|access-date=7 January 2013|archive-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311002944/http://www.reuters.com/article/belarus-president-eu-idUSL5E8G8E6320120508|url-status=live}}

After the EU sanctioned Belarus for its crackdown against the 2020 mass protests, Lukashenko advertised Belarus as an entry point for migrants to reach the EU, resulting in the Belarus–European Union border crisis.{{cite news|title=Lukashenko refuses to block migrants at Belarus-EU border, pushing Poland to seek China's help |work=InfoMigrants|url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/59254/lukashenko-refuses-to-block-migrants-at-belaruseu-border-pushing-poland-to-seek-chinas-help|date = 20 August 2024}}{{cite news|title=Lukashenko says Belarusian troops may have helped refugees reach Europe |work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/19/lukashenko-says-belarusian-troops-may-have-helped-refugees-reach-europe|date = 19 November 2021}}{{cite news|title= How Belarus is helping 'tourists' break into the EU |work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58952867|date = 21 October 2021}}

{{Further|Belarus–United States relations}}

File:Secretary Pompeo Meets With Belarusian President Lukashenko (49473917277).jpg in 2020]]

In March 2003, Lukashenko said that Belarus unanimously condemned the US-led Iraq War.{{cite news |title=Belarus Denounces Iraqi Aggression: Lukashenko |url=https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/23191-n/ |work=Pravda |date=21 March 2003 |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710080634/https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/23191-n/ |url-status=live }}

On 29 August 2019, John Bolton, then National Security Advisor of the United States, was received by Lukashenko during his visit to Minsk, which was the first of its kind in 18 years.{{cite web|date=30 August 2019|title=John Bolton's Belarus trip stirs threat to Putin|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/john-boltons-belarus-trip-stirs-threat-to-putin|access-date=13 February 2020|website=Washington Examiner|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222170733/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/john-boltons-belarus-trip-stirs-threat-to-putin|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Bolton Says U.S.-Belarus Dialogue Necessary, Despite 'Significant Issues'|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-tells-bolton-he-wants-new-chapter-in-ties-between-belarus-u-s-/30136481.html|access-date=31 August 2019|website=rferl.org|date=30 August 2019 |archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831022557/https://www.rferl.org/amp/lukashenka-tells-bolton-he-wants-new-chapter-in-ties-between-belarus-u-s-/30136481.html|url-status=live |last1=Time |first1=Current }}

{{Further|Belarus–China relations}}

File:Lukashenko-Xi meeting (2023-03-02).png Xi Jinping in 2023]]

Under Lukashenko, China and Belarus have maintained close ties, with him advocating an approach of "understanding China, learning from China, and approaching China."{{Cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Yan |last2=Cheng |first2=Enfu |date=1 December 2020 |title=Market Socialism in Belarus: An Alternative to China's Socialist Market Economy |url=https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.11.4.0428 |journal=World Review of Political Economy |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=438 |doi=10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.11.4.0428 |s2cid=236786906 |issn=2042-8928 |access-date=10 March 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604034246/https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.11.4.0428 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} In 2012, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo noted that Belarus has been rapidly developing under Lukashenko.{{cite web |title=China Praises Lukashenko for His Successful Opposition to the West |url=http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/09/1311.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108093841/http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/09/1311.html |archive-date=8 November 2012 |access-date=1 August 2012 |work=The China Times}} On 1 March 2023, Lukashenko met Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing, which produced a range of cooperation documents on industry, trade, agricultural, and other matters.{{Cite news |date=1 March 2023 |title=Xi and Lukashenko call for 'soonest' peace in Ukraine at China-Belarus summit |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china-work-with-belarus-promote-bilateral-relations-state-media-2023-03-01/ |access-date=2 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319005746/https://www.reuters.com/world/china-work-with-belarus-promote-bilateral-relations-state-media-2023-03-01/ |url-status=live }}

Following the 2014 Syrian presidential election, President Lukashenko congratulated President Bashar al-Assad. His cable "expressed keenness to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between Belarus and Syria in all fields for the benefit of the two peoples."{{cite web|url=http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/presidential-elections/13290-president-assad-receives-congratulations-from-the-president-of-belarus-confidence-in-syria-elimination-of-current-crisis|title=President Assad receives Congratulations from the President of Belarus: Confidence in Syria Elimination of Current Crisis|website=Syriatimes.com|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331021419/http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/presidential-elections/13290-president-assad-receives-congratulations-from-the-president-of-belarus-confidence-in-syria-elimination-of-current-crisis|url-status=live}}

Belarus condemned the NATO-led military intervention in Libya, and the foreign ministry stated that "the missile strikes and bombings on the territory of Libya go beyond Resolution 1973 of the UN Security Council and are in breach of its principal goal, ensuring safety of the civilian population. The Republic of Belarus calls on the states involved with the military operation to cease, with immediate effect, the military operations which lead to human casualties. The settlement of the conflict is an internal affair of Libya and should be carried out by the Libyan people alone without military intervention from outside."{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/f75073a623f49a26.html|title=Statement released by the Foreign Ministry in connection with the missile strikes and bombings on Libya|website=Mfa.gov.by|access-date=20 April 2016|archive-date=26 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326150329/http://mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/f75073a623f49a26.html|url-status=live}} They did not recognize the National Transitional Council.{{Cite web |title=After Much Wrangling, General Assembly Seats National Transitional Council of Libya as Country's Representative for Sixty-Sixth Session |url=https://press.un.org/en/2011/ga11137.doc.htm |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=United Nations}}

Upon hearing the news regarding the death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Alexander Lukashenko said that "aggression has been committed, and the country's leadership, not only Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed. And how was it killed? Well, if they had shot him in a battle, it's one thing, but they humiliated and tormented him, they shot at him, they violated him when he was wounded, they twisted his neck and arms, and then they tortured him to death. It's worse than the Nazis once did." He also condemned the current situation of Libya and was critical regarding the future of the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/lukashenko-outraged-by-gaddafis-treatment.html#.T-6i5heODUg|title=Lukashenko outraged by Gaddafi's treatment|date=4 November 2011|website=Kyivpost.com|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704093609/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/lukashenko-outraged-by-gaddafis-treatment.html#.T-6i5heODUg|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://wireupdate.com/libya-belarusian-president-lukashenko-says-nato-did-worse-than-the-nazis.html |title=Libya: Belarusian President Lukashenko says NATO 'did worse than the Nazis' |access-date=25 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704095225/http://wireupdate.com/libya-belarusian-president-lukashenko-says-nato-did-worse-than-the-nazis.html |archive-date=4 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}

His policies have been praised by some other world leaders. In response to a question about Belarus's domestic policies, President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela said "We see here a model social state like the one we are beginning to create."{{cite news|date=25 July 2005|title=Chavez forges ties with Belarus|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5209868.stm|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308055118/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5209868.stm|archive-date=8 March 2007}} In 2015, Lukashenko sought to improve trade relations between Belarus and Latin America.{{cite news|date=25 June 2015|title=Lukashenko highlights Belarus' cooperation with Latin America|publisher=Belarusian News|url=http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/Lukashenko-highlights-Belarus-cooperation-with-Latin-America_i_82783.html|url-status=dead|access-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708140333/http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/Lukashenko-highlights-Belarus-cooperation-with-Latin-America_i_82783.html|archive-date=8 July 2015}}

In March 2022, Australia sanctioned Lukashenko for giving "strategic support to Russia and its military forces" in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite press release |url=https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-places-additional-sanctions-russia-and-belarus |title=Australia places additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus |publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325120854/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-places-additional-sanctions-russia-and-belarus |archive-date=25 March 2022 |url-status=live}} Also in 2022, he was blacklisted by New Zealand{{Cite web|author=Nanaia Mahuta|date=16 May 2022|title=Belarusian leaders and defence entities targeted under latest round of sanctions|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/belarusian-leaders-and-defence-entities-targeted-under-latest-round-sanctions|accessdate=1 March 2023|work=Government of New Zealand|language=en|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301162639/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/belarusian-leaders-and-defence-entities-targeted-under-latest-round-sanctions|url-status=live}} and Japan{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/08/national/japan-russia-belarus-sanctions-ukraine/ |title=Japan hits Russia and Belarus with more sanctions over Ukraine invasion |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=The Japan Times |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404211410/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/08/national/japan-russia-belarus-sanctions-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} on the same grounds.

In September 2023, Lukashenko, reacting to the 2023 North Korea–Russia summit, proposed a three-way cooperation pact with Russia and North Korea.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-belarus-north-korea-putin-lukashenko-kim-82a192e032d1cda8bbbb68ddc9751c38|title=Belarus leader proposes three-way cooperation with Russia's Putin and North Korea's Kim|date=15 September 2023|website=AP News}}

At the December 2024 summit of the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan engaged in a heated argument with Lukashenko during a livestream attended by other EEU leaders after Pashinyan refused Lukashenko's invitation to visit Belarus for the next EEU summit, citing Minsk's support for Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |title=An altercation erupts at a high-level meeting of a Russia-dominated economic union |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-economic-union-belarus-armenia-1dc20197b7c743f18f8d86b923473132 |access-date=27 December 2024|website=Associated Press|date=26 December 2024 }}

{{See also|2020–2021 Belarusian protests}}

{{see also|Lukashisms}}

Lukashenko has made several controversial statements during his presidency which have been regarded as antisemitic, homophobic and misogynistic.

In 1995, Lukashenko made a remark in which he named Adolf Hitler as a role model for his presidential system in Belarus: "The history of Germany is a copy of the history of Belarus. Germany was raised from ruins thanks to firm authority and not everything connected with that well-known figure Hitler was bad. German order evolved over the centuries and attained its peak under Hitler. This corresponds with our understanding of a presidential republic and the role of a president in it."{{cite news| title= Bigotry in Belarus| date= 20 October 2007| work= The Jerusalem Post| url= http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Bigotry-in-Belarus| access-date= 6 April 2013| archive-date= 14 July 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223137/http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Bigotry-in-Belarus| url-status= live}}{{cite news| title= Belarus leader defends Hitler praise| date= 27 November 1995| work= UPI| url= https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/11/27/Belarus-leader-defends-Hitler-praise/9348817448400/| access-date= 11 April 2021| archive-date= 11 April 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210411194955/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/11/27/Belarus-leader-defends-Hitler-praise/9348817448400/| url-status= live}} Lukashenko refused to take the quote back, but stated that the consequences of Hitler's leadership style in foreign policy had been bad.{{cite news| title= LUKASHENKO REFUSES TO RETRACT PRAISE OF HITLER.| date= 28 November 1995| work= Jamestown Foundation| url= https://jamestown.org/program/lukashenko-refuses-to-retract-praise-of-hitler/| access-date= 11 April 2021| archive-date= 11 April 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210411200514/https://jamestown.org/program/lukashenko-refuses-to-retract-praise-of-hitler/| url-status= live}}

In October 2007, Lukashenko was accused of making antisemitic comments; addressing the "miserable state of the city of Babruysk" on a live broadcast on state radio, he stated: "This is a Jewish city, and the Jews are not concerned for the place they live in. They have turned Babruysk into a pigsty. Look at Israel—I was there and saw it myself ... I call on Jews who have money to come back to Babruysk."In 1926 there were 21,558 Jews in Babruysk or 42% of the town's population; by 1989, they numbered just over 4% and by 1999 a mere 0.6%. See [http://www.jhrgbelarus.org/AboutBelarus_articles.php Jewish Heritage Research Group in Belarus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002103123/http://www.jhrgbelarus.org/AboutBelarus_articles.php |date=2 October 2018 }}{{cite news|first=Ronny |last=Sofer |title=Belarus president attacks Jews |date=18 October 2007 |publisher=Yedioth Internet |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3461548,00.html |work=Ynet News |access-date=19 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020040806/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3461548%2C00.html |archive-date=20 October 2007 |url-status=live}} Members of the US House of Representatives sent a letter to the Belarusian ambassador to the US, Mikhail Khvostov, addressing Lukashenko's comments with a strong request to retract them,{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/list/press/il10_kirk/Kirk_Hastings_Call_on_Belarusian_President_to_Apologize_for_Remarks.html |title=Kirk-Hastings Letter Calls on Belarusian President to Apologize for Blatantly Anti-Semitic Remarks |access-date=1 November 2007 |publisher=Office of Rep. Mark Steven Kirk |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103135642/http://www.house.gov/list/press/il10_kirk/Kirk_Hastings_Call_on_Belarusian_President_to_Apologize_for_Remarks.html |archive-date=3 November 2007 |url-status=dead}} and the comments also caused a negative reaction from Israel.{{cite news|title=FM Livni condemns anti-Semitic remarks made by Belarusian President |date=18 October 2007 |publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2007/FM+Livni+condemns+anti-Semitic+remarks+made+by+Belarusian+President+18-Oct-2007.htm |access-date=19 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021083832/http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/About%2Bthe%2BMinistry/MFA%2BSpokesman/2007/FM%2BLivni%2Bcondemns%2Banti-Semitic%2Bremarks%2Bmade%2Bby%2BBelarusian%2BPresident%2B18-Oct-2007.htm |archive-date=21 October 2007 |url-status=live}}

Consequently, Pavel Yakubovich, editor of Belarus Today, was sent to Israel, and in a meeting with the Israel Foreign Ministry said that Lukashenko's comment was "a mistake that was said jokingly, and does not represent his positions regarding the Jewish people" and that he was "anything but anti-Semitic," and had been "insulted by the mere accusation."{{cite news | title= News in Brief |date=31 October 2007 | work=Haaretz| url =http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/918674.htmll| access-date = 1 November 2007}} The Belarusian Ambassador to Israel, Igor Leshchenya, stated that the president had a "kind attitude toward the Jewish people", and Sergei Rychenko, the press secretary at the Belarusian Embassy in Tel Aviv, said parts of Lukashenko's comments had been mistranslated.{{cite news |author=Herb Keinon |title=Belarus to send envoy to Israel |date=25 October 2007 |work=The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Belarus-to-send-envoy-to-Israel |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510013216/https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Belarus-to-send-envoy-to-Israel |url-status=live }}

On 4 March 2012, two days after EU leaders (including openly gay German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle) had called for new measures to pressure Lukashenko over alleged human rights abuses in Belarus at a summit in Brussels, Lukashenko provoked diplomatic rebuke from Germany after commenting that it was "better to be a dictator than gay"[http://www.euronews.com/2012/03/05/germany-rebukes-lukashenko-over-anti-gay-comment Germany rebukes Lukashenko over anti-gay comment | euronews, world news] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212020027/http://www.euronews.com/2012/03/05/germany-rebukes-lukashenko-over-anti-gay-comment/ |date=12 December 2012 }}. Euronews.com (5 March 2012). Retrieved 19 May 2012. in response to Westerwelle having referred to him as "Europe's last dictator" during the meeting.{{cite news|date=4 March 2012|title=Belarus's Lukashenko: "Better a dictator than gay"|work=Reuters|location=Berlin|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-dicator-idUSTRE8230T320120304|quote=...German Foreign Minister's branding him 'Europe's last dictator'|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006194656/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/04/us-belarus-dicator-idUSTRE8230T320120304|url-status=live}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20120305135136/http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/05/10580407-better-a-dictator-than-gay-belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-says World News – 'Better a dictator than gay,' Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says]. MSN.com (5 March 2012). Retrieved 19 May 2012.

After some of the initial candidates for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election were imprisoned, three women involved with the candidates, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emerged as leading opposition against him and contested the results of the election. Lukashenko has spoken dismissively about the role of women in Belarusian society, saying that "society is not mature enough to vote for a woman" and, referring specifically to Tsikanouskaya, that "she just cooked a tasty cutlet, maybe fed the children, and the cutlet smelled nice [...] And now there's supposed to be a debate about some issues" and that the burden of the presidency would cause her to "collapse, poor thing".{{Cite news|last=Nechepurenko|first=Ivan|date=11 October 2020|title=In Belarus, Women Led the Protests and Shattered Stereotypes|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/11/world/europe/in-belarus-women-led-the-protests-and-shattered-stereotypes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011041037/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/11/world/europe/in-belarus-women-led-the-protests-and-shattered-stereotypes.html |archive-date=11 October 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=7 February 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Matthias|date=22 July 2020|title=Dismissed as 'poor things', three women try to unseat male president of Belarus|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-opposition-idUSKCN24N1PT|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104065300/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-opposition-idUSKCN24N1PT|url-status=live}}

In July 2021, Lukashenko was accused of making antisemitic comments during his Independence Day speech to the armed forces; saying "the Jews managed to force the world to remember the Holocaust. The entire world grovels before them and gives in to them. They are afraid to say a single word out of place" and adding "We are tolerant and likeable. We left things alone until it got to the point where others started attacking us and the memory of our efforts." The Israeli government said the comments were "unacceptable" and summoned the chargé d'affaires at the Belarus embassy in Israel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/world/world-bows-to-jews-says-belarusian-president-lukashenko-in-anti-semitic-outburst-396448|title=World bows to Jews, says Belarusian President Lukashenko in anti-Semitic outburst|website=Wionews.com|date=7 July 2021 |access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302145741/https://www.wionews.com/world/world-bows-to-jews-says-belarusian-president-lukashenko-in-anti-semitic-outburst-396448|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/belarus-president-condemned-israel-saying-world-bows-jews-over-holocaust-1607733|title=Belarus President condemned by Israel for saying world "bows" to Jews over Holocaust|date=7 July 2021|website=Newsweek.com|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303040943/https://www.newsweek.com/belarus-president-condemned-israel-saying-world-bows-jews-over-holocaust-1607733|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/belarusian-president-whole-world-bows-to-jews-due-to-holocaust-673009|title=Belarusian president: Whole world 'bows' to Jews due to Holocaust|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302125446/https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/belarusian-president-whole-world-bows-to-jews-due-to-holocaust-673009|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/belarus-leader-jews-caused-the-world-to-kneel-before-them/|title=Belarus leader: Jews caused the world 'to kneel' before them|website=Timesofisrael.com|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302130937/https://www.timesofisrael.com/belarus-leader-jews-caused-the-world-to-kneel-before-them/|url-status=live}}

Independent polling is tightly restricted in Belarus.{{Cite news|last=Higgins|first=Andrew|date=22 June 2020|title=Political Grip Shaky, Belarus Leader Blames Longtime Ally: Russia|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/world/europe/belarus-lukashenko-russia.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622040802/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/world/europe/belarus-lukashenko-russia.html |archive-date=22 June 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=28 June 2020|issn=0362-4331}} Surveys are monopolized by the government, which either does not publish its surveys or uses them for propagandistic purposes.{{Cite web|last=Shraibman|first=Artyom|title=The House That Lukashenko Built: The Foundation, Evolution, and Future of the Belarusian Regime|url=https://carnegie.ru/2018/04/12/house-that-lukashenko-built-foundation-evolution-and-future-of-belarusian-regime-pub-76059|access-date=28 June 2020|website=Carnegie Moscow Center|language=en|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618140615/https://carnegie.ru/2018/04/12/house-that-lukashenko-built-foundation-evolution-and-future-of-belarusian-regime-pub-76059|url-status=live}}

File:Lukashenko's moustache.jpg

According to a leaked internal poll, a third of the population had trust in Lukashenko. The last credible public poll in Belarus was a 2016 poll showing approximately 30% approval for Lukashenko.{{Cite web|date=12 June 2020|title=Belarus presidential election: Will the lights go out on Lukashenko?|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/12/belarus-presidential-election-will-the-lights-go-out-on-lukashenko-in-2020|access-date=28 June 2020|website=euronews|language=en|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613081430/https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/12/belarus-presidential-election-will-the-lights-go-out-on-lukashenko-in-2020|url-status=live}}

Lukashenko is referred to as "Batska" ({{lang|be|бацька}}, "father") by his supporters.

During the 2020–21 Belarusian protests, opponents of Lukashenko began to refer to him as "Sasha 3%" on the basis that they believed that he was only supported by three percent of the Belarusian population.{{cite news|last=Wesolowsky|first=Tony|date=25 June 2020|title=Sasha 3%? Belarusians Poke Fun At President's Slipping Support|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarusians-poke-fun-at-president-slipping-support/30690561.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|language=en|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123233535/https://www.rferl.org/a/belarusians-poke-fun-at-president-slipping-support/30690561.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=7 August 2020|title=Protests shake up Belarus presidential election|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53650867|work=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026215403/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53650867|url-status=live}} The term has subsequently become a popular meme within the Belarusian opposition appearing on T-shirts and posters.{{cite web|url=https://biznesalert.com/august-2020-belarus-presidential-electrions-lukashenko/|title=A hot August in Belarus. Is a breakthrough coming?|last=Marszałkowski|first=Mariusz|date=4 August 2020|website=biznesalert.com|language=en|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127025233/https://biznesalert.com/august-2020-belarus-presidential-electrions-lukashenko/|url-status=live}} Lukashenko has also been referred to as "Tarakanishche" ("Cockroach") by his opponents in reference to the poem "The Monster Cockroach", in which a moustached cockroach inflicts a reign of terror on the other animals before being eaten by a sparrow.{{Cite news|last=Wesolowsky|first=Tony|date=27 May 2020|title=Although Banned From Running, Vlogger's Calls To Cast Out 'Cockroach' Lukashenka Resonating With Many Belarusians|language=en|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/banned-from-running-vlogger-s-calls-for-cockroach-lukashenka-to-leave-still-resonate-with-many-belarusians/30638157.html|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=26 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826203153/https://www.rferl.org/a/banned-from-running-vlogger-s-calls-for-cockroach-lukashenka-to-leave-still-resonate-with-many-belarusians/30638157.html|url-status=live}}

A film produced by Nexta, a Belarusian media service based in Poland, accuses Lukashenko of misappropriating EU funds on residences and automobiles. The film was uploaded to Telegram and YouTube, where it had over 6 million views. Lukashenko did not comment on the film directly, but on a factory visit in March 2021 claimed that opponents were creating a fake story to destabilize the country. Lukashenko states "I want you to understand: I have been working as president for a quarter of a century, and if there were already some billions, as they say, or palaces, I would have already been torn to pieces from all sides." An EU official, Ana Pisonero, said that accusations of Lukashenko misusing EU funds for buildings and residential properties were "speculation".{{cite news|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-opposition-idUSKBN2B21FL/|title='Lukashenko. Goldmine': film alleging Belarusian leader has gilded life gets 3 million views online|date=10 March 2021|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125145352/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-opposition-idUSKBN2B21FL|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/did-alexander-lukashenko-misuse-eu-funds-in-belarus/a-56865932|publisher=Deutsche Welle|title=Did Alexander Lukashenko misuse EU funds in Belarus?|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125145352/https://www.dw.com/en/did-alexander-lukashenko-misuse-eu-funds-in-belarus/a-56865932|url-status=live}}

File:Alexander Lukashenko with his sons.jpg

Lukashenko married Galina Zhelnerovich, his high school sweetheart, in 1975. Later that year, his oldest son, Viktor, was born. Their second son, Dmitry, was born in 1980. Galina lives separately in a house in the village Shklow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-village.me/village/city/news-city/278317-kto-zhivet-v-byvshem-dome-lukashenko|title=Кто живет в бывшем доме Лукашенко|date=2 November 2019|website=The Village Беларусь|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415014953/https://www.the-village.me/village/city/news-city/278317-kto-zhivet-v-byvshem-dome-lukashenko|url-status=live}},

{{cite news | title=Стало известно, сколько Лукашенко заработал за прошлый год | url=https://www.the-village.me/village/business/business-news/283337-lukashenko-zp | work=Комсомольская правда в Белоруссии | date=15 July 2020 | access-date=11 February 2021 | language=ru | archive-date=7 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907081556/https://www.the-village.me/village/business/business-news/283337-lukashenko-zp | url-status=live }} Though they are still legally married, Galina Lukashenko has been estranged from her husband since shortly after he became president.{{cite news | first=Anna | last=Lyashkevich | title=Галина Лукашенко: Саша – необыкновенный человек | publisher=БелаПАН | url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2005/09/29/ic_articles_116_135396/ | work=Комсомольская правда в Белоруссии | access-date=26 December 2008 | language=ru | archive-date=2 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302160517/http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2005/09/29/ic_articles_116_135396 | url-status=live }} In a 2014 interview, Lukashenko said that they had not lived together for 30 years and the only reason they had not divorced was that he did not want to traumatize his adult sons.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-interview-dozhd-tv/25394678.html|title=Straight-Talking Alyaksandr Lukashenka On Life, Women, and Politics|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=22 May 2014|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420205312/https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-interview-dozhd-tv/25394678.html|url-status=live}} Lukashenko has been seen on public occasions with various women; when asked about this in the same 2014 interview he explained that he did not want to sit with an official with a "sour face", preferring "My son on one side, and a girl on the other".

Lukashenko fathered a son, Nikolai, who was born in 2004. Though never confirmed by the government, it is widely believed that Nikolai's mother is Irina Abelskaya—the two had an extramarital affair when she was Lukashenko's personal doctor.{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Parfitt | title=Belarus squirms as son follows in dictator's steps | date=6 April 2009 | work=The Guardian | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/06/belarus-nikolai-lukashenko | access-date=8 December 2009 | location=London | archive-date=6 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906100332/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/06/belarus-nikolai-lukashenko | url-status=live }} There has never been any public statement about who Nikolai's mother is; Nikolai was raised solely by his father.{{cite news|last1=Beckhusen|first1=Robert|title=Belarus Dictator Says He's Totally Not Building a Dynasty|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/07/belarus/|newspaper=Wired|date=7 February 2012|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125013547/http://www.wired.com/2012/07/belarus/|url-status=live}} It has been reported by Western observers and media that Nikolai, nicknamed "Kolya", is being groomed as Lukashenko's successor.{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Shaun|title=Who's that boy in the grey suit? It's Kolya Lukashenko – the next dictator of Belarus...|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/whos-that-boy-in-the-grey-suit-its-kolya-lukashenko--the-next-dictator-of-belarus-7897089.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=29 June 2012|access-date=1 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045801/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/whos-that-boy-in-the-grey-suit-its-kolya-lukashenko--the-next-dictator-of-belarus-7897089.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Haddadi|first1=Anissa|title=The Belarus Boy Wonder: Nikolai Lukashenko, 7, Anointed to become President|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-seven-year-old-357934|access-date=1 August 2014|work=International Business Times|publisher=IBTimes Co.|date=29 June 2012|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810150744/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-seven-year-old-357934|url-status=live}} According to Belarusian state media, these speculations were dismissed by Lukashenko, who also denied that he would remain in office for a further thirty years—the time Nikolai will become eligible to stand for election and succeed him.{{cite news|title=Lukashenko denies reports he is grooming Nikolai as his successor|url=http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/i_22881.html|access-date=1 August 2014|agency=BELTA|publisher=Belarusian News|date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815041632/http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/i_22881.html|archive-date=15 August 2014|url-status=dead}} Lukashenko has a pet dog, a spitz named Umka.{{cite news |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/government/events/lukashenko-takes-dip-in-icy-waters-near-minsk-to-mark-epiphany_i_124198.html |title=Lukashenko takes dip in icy waters near Minsk to mark Epiphany|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204061404/https://www.belarus.by/en/government/events/lukashenko-takes-dip-in-icy-waters-near-minsk-to-mark-epiphany_i_124198.html|archive-date=4 February 2021 }}

File:Fetisov Lukashenko Putin Kamensky Sochi 4 January 2014.jpg and Valeri Kamensky.]]

Lukashenko used to play football, but stopped playing during his presidency. His two elder sons also play ice hockey, sometimes alongside their father.[http://www.ng.ru/cis/2003-10-01/4_minsk.html Президент-хоккей Александра Лукашенко] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320232515/http://www.ng.ru/cis/2003-10-01/4_minsk.html |date=20 March 2014 }}. ng.ru. 1 October 2003. Lukashenko started training in cross-country running as a child, and in the 2000s still competed at the national level.[http://www.vsesmi.ru/news/604820/ Александр Лукашенко выиграл лыжные соревнования] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007064301/http://www.vsesmi.ru/news/604820/ |date=7 October 2014 }}. vsesmi.ru. 3 March 2007. He is a keen skier and ice hockey forward.[http://www.sports.ru/hockey/6420162.html Ветераны «Сборной звезд мира» проведут товарищескую игру] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121518/http://www.sports.ru/hockey/6420162.html |date=6 October 2014 }}. sports.ru. 12 December 2008. In an interview he said that he plays ice hockey three times a week.{{cite web |url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-fields-questions-ranging-from-the-serious-to-the-personal-in-an-unusual-interview-136437-2021/ |title=Lukashenko fields questions, ranging from the serious to the personal, in an unusual interview |date=11 January 2021 |website=BelTa |publisher=The Belarusian Telegraph Agency |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128070711/https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-fields-questions-ranging-from-the-serious-to-the-personal-in-an-unusual-interview-136437-2021 |url-status=live }} He has established the Belarus President's team, an amateur team which he sometimes plays for.{{cite web |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/press-release/belarus-presidents-team-win-amateur-ice-hockey-tournament-for-11th-time_i_0000111281.html |title=Belarus President's team win amateur ice hockey tournament for 11th time |date=13 April 2020 |website=Belarus.by |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207150742/https://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/press-release/belarus-presidents-team-win-amateur-ice-hockey-tournament-for-11th-time_i_0000111281.html |url-status=live }} Numerous ice rinks intended to enable competitive ice hockey games to be played, have been built all over Belarus at Lukashenko's behest.{{cite web |url=https://euobserver.com/foreign/115674 |title=Ice Hockey finals in Belarus still on schedule |date=23 March 2012 |author=Nikolaj Ńielsen |website=EUObserver |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115075320/https://euobserver.com/foreign/115674 |url-status=live }} Lukashenko was instrumental in getting the 2014 IIHF World Championship in ice hockey to be hosted by Belarus which was considered controversial due to Lukashenko's repressive regime.{{cite journal | doi=10.1525/curh.2011.110.738.277 | title=Lukashenko's Game is up | year=2011 | last1=Wilson | first1=Andrew | journal=Current History | volume=110 | issue=738 | pages=277–282 | doi-access=free }} Belarus was supposed to host the 2021 IIHF World Championship in May 2021, but that was cancelled after international condemnation and threats by sponsors to withdraw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0231_EN.pdf|title=Situation in Belarus. European Parliament resolution of 17 September 2020 on the situation in Belarus (2020/2779(RSP))|website=Europarl.europa.eu|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805071615/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0231_EN.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/alexander-lukashenko-belarus-hockey-sports-europe-latvia-0d3295222196f2b1927aabfaa5670e19 |title=Skoda to withdraw sponsorship if Belarus hosts hockey worlds |date=16 January 2020 |website=APNews |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116170824/https://apnews.com/article/alexander-lukashenko-belarus-hockey-sports-europe-latvia-0d3295222196f2b1927aabfaa5670e19 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ice-hockey-belarus-must-meet-specific-requirements-to-host-world-championship/a-56224501 |title=Ice Hockey: Belarus must meet 'specific requirements' to host World Championship |date=14 January 2021 |access-date=14 January 2021 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114135826/https://www.dw.com/en/ice-hockey-belarus-must-meet-specific-requirements-to-host-world-championship/a-56224501 |url-status=live }}

Lukashenko describes himself as an "Orthodox atheist"{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8021513.stm |title=Belarus president visits Vatican |work=BBC News |access-date=26 June 2010 |date=27 April 2009 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502200846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8021513.stm |url-status=live }} and has said that he believes that a president should be a conservative person and avoid using modern electronic technology such as a tablet or smartphone.[http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2013/857691.shtml Д.Медведев объяснил, почему заменил iPad блокнотом] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007132032/http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2013/857691.shtml |date=7 October 2014}}. rbc.ru. 15 May 2013. He used to play the bayan, a musical instrument similar to an accordion.[http://www.km.ru/world/2013/01/15/aleksandr-lukashenko/701536-aleksandr-lukashenko-razuchilsya-igrat-na-bayane Александр Лукашенко разучился играть на баяне] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921070426/https://www.km.ru/world/2013/01/15/aleksandr-lukashenko/701536-aleksandr-lukashenko-razuchilsya-igrat-na-bayane |date=21 September 2020 }}. km.ru. 15 January 2013.

File:Lukasjenko-31.jpg in 2001|236x236px]] File:Rank of the Supreme Commander of the Republic of Belarus.svg

• Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow" (1997){{Cite web |date=18 June 2009 |title= In Moscow, the Presidents agreed...|website=WWW Belarus|url=http://www.belarus.net/minsk_ev/97/russia/09_3/mosk9.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090618172446/http://www.belarus.net/minsk_ev/97/russia/09_3/mosk9.htm|archive-date=18 June 2009}}
• Medal "Bethlehem-2000" (Palestinian National Authority, 2000){{Cite web|date=January 2000|title=Jomsa Volume 55/3/13|url=http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/2004/60087_JOMSA_Vol55_3_13.pdf|website=omsa.org|access-date=4 March 2023|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227012502/http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/2004/60087_JOMSA_Vol55_3_13.pdf|url-status=live}}
• The Order of José Martí (Cuba, 2000){{cite news |script-title=ru:А.Г. Лукашенко награжден орденом Хосе Марти |date=5 September 2000 |url=http://www.newsvm.com/articles/2000/09/05/prez.html |work=Вечерний Минск |access-date=13 October 2007 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005335/http://www.newsvm.com/articles/2000/09/05/prez.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}
• Order of the Revolution (Libya, 2000){{cite news |script-title=ru:Белоруссия |date=15 November 2000 |url=http://www.zatulin.ru/institute/sbornik/018/02.shtml |website=Zatulin.ru |access-date=13 October 2007 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929161702/http://www.zatulin.ru/institute/sbornik/018/02.shtml |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}
• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd Class (Russia, 2001){{cite web |url=http://archive.kremlin.ru/text/news/2001/04/136690.shtml |title=Президент России |website=Archive.kremlin.ru |access-date=1 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230237/http://archive.kremlin.ru/text/news/2001/04/136690.shtml |archive-date=14 July 2014}}
• Grand Chain of the Order of the Liberator (Venezuela, 2007){{Cite web |date=25 February 2008 |title=Лукашенко награжден высшей наградой Венесуэлы – орденом Освободителя |url=http://news.tut.by/99447.html |access-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225162211/http://news.tut.by/99447.html |archive-date=25 February 2008 }}
• Order of Distinguished Citizen (Caracas, Venezuela, 2010){{cite web |url=http://jorgerodriguez.psuv.org.ve/?p=4561 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224161414/http://jorgerodriguez.psuv.org.ve/?p=4561 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2012 |title=Alcalde Jorge Rodríguez entrega llaves de la Ciudad de Caracas al Presidente Lukashenko |website=Jorgerodriguez.psuv.org.ve |access-date=1 August 2012 }}
• Order of Francisco Miranda, First Class (Venezuela, 2010){{Cite web |date=23 November 2020 |title=Лукашенко получил орден за заслуги перед Венесуэлой |work=naviny.by |url=https://naviny.media/rubrics/politic/2010/03/16/ic_news_112_327582 |access-date=4 March 2023 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123134901/https://naviny.media/rubrics/politic/2010/03/16/ic_news_112_327582 |archive-date=23 November 2020 }}
• Order of the Republic of Serbia (2013){{cite web |url=http://www.predsednik.rs/sh/node/566 |title=Ukazi o odlikovanjima |language=sr |website=Predsednik.rs |access-date=22 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618103701/http://www.predsednik.rs/sh/node/566 |archive-date=18 June 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://president.gov.by/en/press142871.html |title=Meeting with President Tomislav Nikolić of the Republic of Serbia |website=President.gov.by |access-date=12 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410025833/http://president.gov.by/en/press142871.html |archive-date=10 April 2013 }}
• Presidential Order of Excellence (Georgia, 2013){{cite web|url=https://idfi.ge/en/state-prices-awarded-by-the-president-of-georgia-in-2003-2015|title=State Awards Issued by Georgian Presidents in 2003–2015|date=10 May 2018|website=Institute for Development of Freedom of Information|access-date=9 May 2019|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509224357/https://idfi.ge/en/state-prices-awarded-by-the-president-of-georgia-in-2003-2015|url-status=live}}
• Order of Alexander Nevsky (Russia, 30 August 2014)[http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/747364// "Putin signed the decree about Lukashenko's rewarding with the Order of Alexander Nevsky"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908051343/http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/747364 |date=8 September 2014 }}. itar-tass.com. 30 August 2014.
• Badge of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus "For Merit" (Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 11 February 2016){{Cite web |date=17 November 2020 |title=Лукашенко награжден нагрудным знаком Следственного комитета "За заслуги" |work=naviny.by |url=https://www.naviny.media/rubrics/society/2016/02/11/ic_news_116_470667 |access-date=4 March 2023 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117031308/https://www.naviny.media/rubrics/society/2016/02/11/ic_news_116_470667 |archive-date=17 November 2020 }}
• Order of the Republic (Moldova, 4 October 2016) – as a sign of deep gratitude for the special merits in the development and strengthening of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation in various areas between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Moldova and for the great personal contribution to providing significant support to our country in a difficult economic situation.{{Cite web |title=PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA DECREE Nr. 2364 fire 04.10.2016|url=http://lex.justice.md/viewdoc.php?action=view&view=doc&id=366963&lang=2 |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=lex.justice.md}}{{Cite web |date=6 October 2016 |title=Лукашенко вручат высшую государственную награду Молдовы – Новости Политики – Новости Mail.Ru |url=https://news.mail.ru/politics/27351523/?frommail=1=1 |access-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006144519/https://news.mail.ru/politics/27351523/?frommail=1=1 |archive-date=6 October 2016 }}
• Heydar Aliyev Order (Azerbaijan, 28 November 2016) – for special merits in the development of friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |title=Распоряжение Президента Азербайджанской Республики о награждении А.Г.Лукашенко орденом "Гейдар Алиев" » Официальный сайт президента Азербайджанской Республики |url=https://president.az/ru/articles/view/21862 |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=president.az |language=ru}}{{Cite web |date=29 November 2016 |title=Лукашенко награжден орденом Гейдара Алиева |work=TUT.BY |url=https://news.tut.by/economics/521681.html |access-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129145834/https://news.tut.by/economics/521681.html |archive-date=29 November 2016 }}
• Order of Nazarbayev (Kazakhstan, 2019)[http://www.akorda.kz/ru/events/akorda_news/meetings_and_receptions/pervyi-prezident-kazahstana-vstretilsya-s-prezidentom-respubliki-belarus-aleksandrom-lukashenko Первый Президент Казахстана встретился с Президентом Республики Беларусь Александром Лукашенко] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529154632/http://www.akorda.kz/ru/events/akorda_news/meetings_and_receptions/pervyi-prezident-kazahstana-vstretilsya-s-prezidentom-respubliki-belarus-aleksandrom-lukashenko |date=29 May 2019 }} (in Kazakhstani), 28 March 2019. Accessed on 10 October 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.inform.kz/en/article/3531535|title=Nursultan Nazarbayev presents Order of Yelbasy to Alexander Lukashenko|date=28 May 2019|website=inform.kz|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=15 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315163450/https://www.inform.kz/en/nursultan-nazarbayev-presents-order-of-yelbasy-to-alexander-lukashenko_a3531535|url-status=live}}

• Order of St. Dmitry Donskoy, 1st Degree (by the Russian Orthodox Church) (2005){{cite news |last=Korobov |first=Pavel |date=11 May 2005 |script-title=ru:Патриарх наградил Александра Лукашенко |url=http://www.religare.ru/print17451.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929104947/http://www.religare.ru/print17451.htm |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |website=Religare.ru |language=ru}}
• Order of St. Cyril (by the Belarusian Orthodox Church) (2006){{cite news |date=26 September 2006 |script-title=ru:Александр Лукашенко награжден орденом Белорусской Православной Церкви |url=http://www.maranatha.org.ua/cnews/index.php?id=28365 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928222749/http://www.maranatha.org.ua/cnews/index.php?id=28365 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=Maranatha |language=ru}}
• Order of St. Vladimir, 1st Degree (by the Russian Orthodox Church) (2007){{cite news |date=5 June 2007 |title=Александр Лукашенко награжден орденом Святого Владимира I степени |url=http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/253631.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094012/http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/253631.html |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |work=Патриархия.ru |language=ru}}
• Order of St. Sava, 1st Degree (by the Serbian Orthodox Church) (2014){{Cite web |title=СПЦ: Орден Светог Саве за Александра Лукашенка |url=https://www.in4s.net/spc-orden-svetog-save-za-aleksandra-lukasenka/ |access-date=4 March 2023 |publisher=ИН4С |date=12 June 2014|language=sr-RS}}
• Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 1st Degree (2015) – for merits in protecting the spiritual values of the Belarusian people, maintaining church life and establishing peaceful relations between people of different faiths.{{Cite web |title=Патриарх Кирилл вручил Лукашенко орден преподобного Серафима Саровского I степени – ТАСС |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/2059871 |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=TASS}}

• Honorary citizen of Yerevan, Armenia (2001){{cite web |title=Honorary Citizens of Yerevan |url=http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=hon_citizens&lang=arm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116065940/http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=hon_citizens |archive-date=16 January 2008 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=City of Yerevan, Armenia |language=ru}}
• Keys to the City of Caracas, Venezuela (2010){{cite web |title=Presidente Chávez se reúne con su par bielorruso Lukashenko |url=http://www.mre.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3444:presidente-chavez-se-reune-con-su-par-bielorruso-lukashenko&catid=142:03-2010-visita-del-presidente-alexandr-lukashenko&Itemid=520 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224232157/http://www.mre.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3444:presidente-chavez-se-reune-con-su-par-bielorruso-lukashenko&catid=142:03-2010-visita-del-presidente-alexandr-lukashenko&Itemid=520 |archive-date=24 December 2012 |access-date=1 August 2012 |website=Mre.gov.ve}}

• Honorary Diploma of the Eurasian Economic Community (2006){{cite news |date=23 June 2006 |script-title=ru:В Минске прошло заседание Межгосударственного Совета ЕврАзЭС |url=http://www.president.gov.by/press19427.print.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110222415/http://www.president.gov.by/press19427.print.html |archive-date=10 November 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=President of the Republic of Belarus |language=ru}}
• Honorary Doctor of Science, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. He was deprived of his status on 7 June 2021 due to the forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft in Belarus. He became the first honorary doctor of science in the history of the university who was deprived of this title.{{Cite web |date=7 June 2021 |title=Киевский вуз лишил Лукашенко звания почетного доктора наук |url=https://ria.ru/20210607/lukashenko-1736006479.html |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=РИА Новости |language=ru}}

• Winner of the international premium of Andrey Pervozvanny "For Faith and Loyalty" (1995){{cite news |year=1995 |script-title=ru:Лауреаты Международной премии Андрея Первозванного 'За Веру и Верность'. 1993–2005 годы |url=http://fap.ru/prem_laur.php?lt=believe&id=1864 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201608/http://fap.ru/prem_laur.php?lt=believe&id=1864 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=Фонд Святого Всехвального апостола Андрея Первозванного |language=ru}}
• Special prize of the International Olympic Committee "Gates of Olympus" (2000){{cite web |date=12 June 2006 |script-title=ru:Олимпийский приз для Беларуси |url=http://sportpanorama.by/content/advanced/3546/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210004/http://sportpanorama.by/content/advanced/3546/ |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=Пресс-центр НОКа |language=ru}}
• Medal of the International Federation of Festival Organizations "For development of the world festival movement" (2005){{cite news |date=18 July 2005 |script-title=ru:Президент Беларуси Александр Лукашенко удостоен медали 'За развитие мирового фестивального движения' |url=http://www.embassybel.ru/press/soft/2005/07/18/4334/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184947/http://www.embassybel.ru/press/soft/2005/07/18/4334/ |archive-date=30 September 2007 |access-date=13 October 2007 |publisher=Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Russian Federation |language=ru}}
• Ig Nobel Prize (Peace in 2013, Medical Education in 2020){{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Sister project links|d=Q2866|c=Category: Alexander Lukashenko|q=yes|n=yes|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}

• {{Official website|http://president.gov.by/en/|President's official site}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Myechyslaw Hryb|as=Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Belarus}}

{{s-ttl|title=President of Belarus|years=1994–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-bef|before= Office established}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Supreme Council of Belarus|years=1991–1994}}

{{s-aft|after=Office abolished}}

{{s-dip}}

{{s-bef|before=Office established}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State|years=2000–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{BelarusPres}}

{{Heads of state of republics}}

{{Current CIS Leaders}}

{{Russification}}

{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lukashenko, Alexander}}

Category:1954 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century Belarusian politicians

Category:21st-century Belarusian politicians

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Belarusian atheists

Category:Belarusian individuals subject to U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions

Category:Belarusian people of Ukrainian descent

Category:Candidates for President of Belarus

Category:Communist Party of Byelorussia politicians

Category:Communist Party of the Soviet Union members

Category:Eurosceptics

Category:Ig Nobel laureates

Category:Individuals sanctioned by the United States Department of State

Alexander

Category:Members of the Supreme Council of Belarus

Category:People from Orsha district

Category:People named in the Panama Papers

Category:People sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act

Category:Presidents of Belarus

Category:Recipients of the Heydar Aliyev Order

Category:Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class

Category:Recipients of the Order of Alexander Nevsky

Category:Recipients of the Order of Saint Righteous Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, 1st class

Category:Recipients of the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class

Category:Recipients of the Presidential Order of Excellence

Category:Soviet Army officers

Category:Soviet border guards

Category:Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List

Category:Pro-Russian people of the Russian invasion of Ukraine