During Vladimir Putin’s visit to Minsk on Monday, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko tried to use irony. During a press conference, he pretended to wonder if he or his Russian counterpart were the most “toxic” and “dangerous” on a global scale.
“You know, we’re both co-aggressors and therefore the most toxic and dangerous people in the world. We’re just arguing about who’s worse. Vladimir says it’s me. But I’m starting to think it’s him.” In the end, we decided together that we were on the same level, that’s all,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
“He himself revealed the truth to the world”
However, visibly amused, Vladimir Putin did not react to this touch of humor. On social networks, the sequence – a reference to the conflict in Ukraine – did not go unnoticed.
Many observers have shared it, subtitled in English, to illustrate what they see as the coldness and complete disconnection of the two leaders.
“He himself revealed the truth to the world,” tweeted Pavel Latushka, deputy chairman of the Belarus transition committee, a body born out of the muzzling of the opposition during Belarus’s presidential election in the summer of 2020. Anton Geraschenko, adviser to the minister of the Interior of Ukraine also shared the video.
Upcoming weapons deliveries
A former Soviet country, now vassal and dependent on its imposing Russian neighbor, Belarus has so far not taken a direct part in the Ukraine conflict. But the country serves as a rear base for Russian soldiers, as Minsk shares part of its border with Kyiv.
During Vladimir Putin’s visit on Monday, Alexander Lukashenko said that “joint measures to ensure the security” of the two countries had been decided, as well as “mutual arms deliveries.”
“We tested planes in Russia and we are preparing them now,” said the Belarusian dictator.
Public sermon for the Minister of Sports
Last week, Alexander Lukashenko had already performed, this time in the context of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In front of the cameras, he had summoned his Minister of Sports, to lecture him about the absence of the Belarusian team in the tournament. “For some reason, I don’t see our players. Or am I not watching the games enough?” he asked the minister, visibly uncomfortable.
Source: BFM TV
