Executive summary:
In August 2024 following narratives of the propaganda were most significant in Belarus:
I. BELARUS AND THE “UNION STATE”
- In the run-up to the 2025 elections, propaganda continues to work on strengthening the image of Aliaksandr Lukashenka as the only and alternative-free candidate and “father of the nation”, whom the “deep people” ask to remain as president “forever”. In August 2024, a new flood of flattery against Lukashenka was associated with his 70th
- For the first time Lukashenka publicly expressed his concern about the “brain drain” abroad, thus actually recognizing the problem of the fact that the most intellectual strata of society, most of whom are in opposition to the regime, have left the country en masse. To keep people in the country, the Belarusian ruler proposed to create “an educational hub no worse than Harvard”.
- At the end of August, it was announced that new propaganda media — the state TV channel and its own video hosting site – “Belarusian YouTube” – would be launched. Lukashenka called on the TV channel to “propagandize only the Belarusian truth”.
- The arrest in France of the founder of Telegram and a well-known media manager Pavel Durov was called “an attack on freedom of speech in the West” by pro-Putin commentators and called for the creation of their own, Belarusian social networks.
- The EU included a new batch of propagandists into the sanctions list. The Lukashenka regime continues to announce the uselessness of western sanctions while simultaneously complaining about them and calling the West’s “hybrid war” against Belarus. Officials claim all the time that Belarus is open for cooperation, and demand to abolish sanctions and return to “business as usual”.
II. BELARUS’ DEMOCRATIC FORCES
- In August there was another anniversary of the brutally dispersed peaceful protest of 2020. Even after four years destroyed and worldwide dispersed democratic movement remains the main propaganda target of the Lukashenka regime.
- The European Union released a statement condemning the crimes of the Lukashenka regime against own population and demanded immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.
- Propaganda continues to divide people into “rights” (loyal to the regime) and “wrongs” (opponents to the regime). Deputy of the National Assembly Anzhalika Kurchak stated that those, who left the country are “not Belarusians and we don’t hear them”.
III. UKRAINE
- In August the tone of the propaganda statements about Ukraine was set by two main events of the ongoing war: serious military aggravation on the Belarus-Ukraine border and military operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kursk Oblast of Russia.
- There are more and more calls in Belarus to end the war in Ukraine and sit down at the negotiating table. Aliaksandr Lukashenka himself is the loudest voice in it. In a big interview with the Russian propagandists, he claimed that “neither Russians, Ukrainians nor Belarusians need this war”, and called “to end this fight”. In the same interview he again threatened the West with nuclear weapon and claimed that Poland and the Baltic States want to attack Belarus.
- The unexpected operation by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kursk Oblast caused confusion among the propagandists. Later, when the initial shock passed and instructions came from the Kremlin, narratives began to spread that it was a “PR action”, “a terrorist attack” and “an attempt to show the West that Ukraine can still do something”.
IV. THE “COLLECTIVE WEST”
- The approaching presidential election in the USA has an impact on the content of the information agenda of the state mass media. In general, there is an opinion in the propaganda environment that none of the candidates, if they win the elections, will be able to influence the improvement of the US relations with Belarus and Russia. Others go even further and claim that Poland and the Baltic States will not change their “anti-Belarus policy” because they remain “puppets of the United States”.
- Lukashenka is pushing a new narrative that the West is “coaxing” him to “turn away from Russia” and “fight with Ukraine against Russia.”
1. BELARUS AND THE “UNION STATE”
Lukashenka’s cult of personality
Same as before, in August the content of the state media was full of praises to Lukashenka. Propaganda continues to work in strengthening the image of the “president” as the only leader, an unopposed candidate and “father of the nation.” In August, the realization of this task was facilitated by Lukashenka’s 70th birthday, which the propaganda used as a new occasion for the flow of flattery and assertions about the “exclusiveness” of the Belarusian ruler. As always, the young (29 years old) propagandist of the CTV channel Ryhor Azaronak is the brightest in this role:
“Besides the work with the state apparatus Bat’ka [Lukashenka’s praising nickname] communicates with people. Dips into the people’s thicket. Goes into his native element. He goes to the people of the deep. And the deep people ask for one thing – stay. The voice of the people is the voice of God”. (personal Telegram-channel, August 14)
“Juche [what we need]. Full autonomy. North Korea. So that no strain, no virus from the West can penetrate. Economic and ideological autarky. We must lower the Iron Curtain. First and foremost, in our hearts. And the Leader who was born in the sun. Power from father to son. In such a configuration the North Korea stands, and there are not, and have not been, and never will be any colour revolutions, and we are pitted against the whole world.” (personal Telegram-channel, August 14)
«Yes. We bend on our knees. To kiss the banner and beg the Chief to stay. But you – to serve your masters with your mouths, they put you on four dice. And we will bend on our knees and will ask with the whole world, with all our peoples – Bat’ka, please stay. Stay forever”. (personal Telegram-channel, August 16)
Maryna Karaman, propagandist of ONT, personal Telegram-channel, August 16:
«Today is August 16th. On this day four years ago the first rally in support of BAT’KA took place. And I eased my breath hearing his speech then. There will be no catastrophe. It will not be the same here as in Ukraine. He won’t give us up, he is we, and we will not give up our country together with him”.
The Kremlin also couldn’t stay away. On the occasion of the 70th Vladimir Putin awarded Lukashenka with one of the highest state awards of Russia — Order of St. Andrew the Apostle “for outstanding services in the development of relations of alliance and strategic partnership” between Russia and Belarus, as well as for the great contribution ”to the effective activity of the Union State”.
Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill also awarded Lukashenka with an order – a church order. Speaking on this solemn occasion, he said that the Belarusian “leader” “contributes to the protection of traditional spiritual, moral and family values, as well as strengthening the fraternal unity of the Slavic peoples. At the same time, the patriarch did not avoid criticizing the West:
» There, cloaked in the slogans of freedom, the right of men to commit sin is not merely encouraged, but legislated.” (Sputnik.by, 08.09.24)
On August 27, Aliaksandr Lukashenka spoke at the meeting of the Republican Pedagogical Council in Minsk about “brain drain” abroad. This way Belarusian dictator practically raised his concerns about the opposition and democratically minded people leaving the country, as they are the vast majority of the intellectuals in Belarus:
“Talents should stay in our country! The work with gifted children must be strengthened at schools and universities. There is one goal – they must live and work in their homeland”.
Moreover, at this meeting, Lukashenka promised to establish an “educational hub no worse than Harvard” in Belarus and called schoolteachers “his people”. He also encouraged teachers to join election committees during 2025 presidential election, to help him “hold the country together”, otherwise it will be “same as in Ukraine”:
“I have high hopes for you. Only a teacher can carry out the policies I want to see carried out among peoples. That’s why I said that you shouldn’t be afraid of anyone. You are the masters of this country. As soon as you tremble – that’s it, tomorrow will be an end for us. So do not retreat in any case, do not fear anyone”.
Also, at the council meeting Lukashenka asked teachers to tell school children about “western democracy” in detail:
«You know, democracy – it’s a woman’s head against the wall, blood spurting in all directions. In America you can strangle black people and stay unpunished. …This is why I want that you feel this [the essence of western democracy] and put our children in the heads.”
On August 29, the state media-holding Belteleradiokompanya announced the launch of a new propaganda 24-hour TV channel Pervyj Informacionnyj [First information channel].
During the discussion on information policy in Minsk Aliaksandr Lukashenka said in relation to the new TV channel, that it must “only speak the truth”:
«Be sure to make it a real Belarusian channel. Without any lies. I urge you to be based on the truth. And we will propagandize only our Belarusian truth. We are in an amazing position in this respect. We don’t have to lie or invent anything. But other countries can’t do it. They need to present something in a favorable way, to put it mildly. We don’t need that. We need to show it as it is».
Also, while addressing propagandists, Lukashenka underlined the necessity of cooperation with Russian TV channels:
“Recently, your, our voice is especially heard in the world – Belarusian media, especially TV channels, your internet-streams – are very much heard. But let’s be sincere, Russians are heard better and more. It is important that we are there. And then afterwards. It is our main partner. The main market for our products.»
At the same meeting, Uladzimir Piartsou, Deputy Head of Lukashenka’s administration announced the creation of “Belarusian YouTube” – videobel.by. According to him, the Belarusian video hosting is necessary, as “it is not known how the situation with the real YouTube will develop further”.
Reaction to Pavel Durov’s arrest
In August, Pavel Durov, famous Russian media-manager, creator of the Telegram social network was arrested in France. His arrest became another occasion for narratives about “the absence of media freedom” in the West. Kremlin and Belarusian propaganda started to talk that now, Telegram will inevitably be controlled by western special services. “This is why Belarus must establish its own social networks” – stated the deputy of the National Assembly Aleh Tsilko:
“Probably, the time has come when we need to think about creating our own, independent Internet platforms. For example, TGBY or InstaBY, which every Belarusian could use without fear of being hacked or infected with an Internet virus”.
Aliaksei Dzermant, pro-state and pro-Russian expert, personal Telegram-channel, August 25:
“Durov gone crazy. First, because he accepted French citizenship. Second, because he flew to France from Azerbaijan, which carries out a hard anti-colonial policy against France, and even in the context of Vladimir Putin’s visit there. Third, believing that he had grabbed God by the beard and that the new cold war would not affect him. He would be safe in Russia. You have to choose the side of Russia, your homeland».
Dzermant, SB. Belarus Segodnya, Alfa Radio, August 26:
“Another conclusion: it is enough about freedom of speech and tales about existence of any kind of independent mass media. There is no independent media. There is patriotic state media, same as here in Belarus, — it works in the interest of the state. And everything financed from outside (State Department, EU) -– it is not ours.”
Aleh Haidukevich, pro-state politician, MP, Belarus-1, personal Telegram-channel, August 25:
“Obviously, Durov’s arrest is related to gaining control of Telegram in order, as the West believes, to fight Russian propaganda. Also, for them, there are no good Russians or Belarusians! Even if you fight against your country, if you are the brightest representative of the fifth column like Navalny or Tikhanouskaya, you will still be dumped, you will never become their own! And if you are a businessman, at any moment everything can be taken away from you, you are nobody there! Money should be invested in the homeland, and you should live in the homeland!»
Sanctions
In August, the European Union imposed new sanctions against Belarusian propagandists. EU sanctions list included Director General of the largest state information agency BELTA Iryna Akulovich, host of the state TV channel CTV Mikita Rachilouski and head of the publishing house Belarus Segodnya Dzmitry Zhuk.
“These regime propagandists deliberately provided the Belarusian public with false information about the repression carried out by the state authorities, disseminated disinformation prepared by both Belarusian and Russian authorities, and incited hatred against the democratic opposition and civil society,” the European Council said in a press release.
In total, there are 28 individuals on the list. Besides employees of the propaganda media, the list includes prosecutors, judges, employees of the law enforcement bodies involved into repressions against participants of the peaceful protest of 2020.
In return, Belarusian Ministry of Information called the EU sanctions “groundless”. The Ministry criticized sharply the EU officials accusing them of “gross violations of the international law”. In its statement, the Belarusian side claims that the EU “degenerates into a state of a jungle”, as there reigns “total impunity and blatant prohibitions” on both journalistic activity and alternative opinion.
On August 8, Aliaksandr Lukashenka called western sanctions a “hybrid war” against Belarus:
“Permanent hybrid war is being carried out against our nations. And each of the CIS countries lived through at least one colour revolution, which in its essence is a coup attempt”.
Ryhor Azaronak, propagandist, personal Telegram-channel, August 24:
“It is written that we are fifth in the world in sanctions. Imagine, there are 200+ countries on the planet. And we are the amazing five. Rebels. Bold. Strong. We stand. Russia, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Belarus. Powerful. All the rest -– in the herd. But we will liberate them”.
2. BELARUS’ DEMOCRATIC FORCES
In the beginning of August, the European External Action Service (EEAS) published a statement regarding the fourth anniversary of the brutal dispersal of the peaceful protest against falsified presidential election in Belarus in August 2020. EEAS called for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and wrongfully accused” as a result of followed political repression in Belarus.
In response to the statement of the European diplomats, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatol Hlaz said that with the help of such statements, “European officials” wanted to hide “their own failures and ill-considered decisions in the economy, energy sector, and migration policy”. At the same time, Hlaz did not miss the opportunity to propose that the EU “return to objective realities, pragmatism and dialogue” and build “constructive interaction”.
The EEAS statement also pointed out that the European Union remained “united in its support of the Belarusian democratic movement” and was ready to activate the Comprehensive Plan of Economic Support in the amount of up to 3 billion euros on condition that the country would take the democratic path of development. The official Telegram channel of the state television Belarus-1 reacted sharply to this:
“The gardener Borrel has gone completely crazy! Xenophobe with nazi tendencies decided to bribe Belarusians! Perspective: American whip, gay-parades, Russophobia, re-writing history, neo-Nazism, as an ideology, destruction of our economy and agriculture”.
Lukashenka’s officials continue to divide Belarusians into “rights” (loyal to the regime) and «wrongs” (opponents). On August 7, Deputy of the National Assembly Anzhalika Kurchak said, answering the question “whether the opposition will be visible” in 2025, namely during the next presidential election, that she does not recognize the exiles as Belarusians:
“I think we will live great in it [year 2025]. And considering those destructive resources, you know, in our Belarusian mentality, those who live outside Belarus – are not Belarusians and we don’t hear them.”
Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office Larysa Belskaya commenting the decision at the meeting of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to abolish issuance of documents for Belarusian citizens in the Belarusian embassies abroad, voiced another disinformation. She stated that the diplomatic representations stopped issuing new passports and documents due to “western sanctions”:
“Yes, we changed the legislation on proof of documents abroad. This is partially due to such political problems as sanctions imposed against Belarus. Sometimes we faced the situation when due to the EU and other Western sanctions it was impossible to deliver the documents on time to the diplomatic missions abroad”.
Belskaya stated that citizens have always the opportunity to return to Belarus and receive their new documents here.
This statement is an attempt to mislead the UN bodies and cover up the true purpose of depriving Belarusians of the possibility to change and receive their passports abroad – to put pressure on the departed supporters of democratic transit in Belarus and to achieve their return.
3. UKRAINE
The state media of Belarus continue to make aggressive remarks about Ukraine, but against the background of hostile and militaristic rhetoric, calls for peace talks, and the end of the war are becoming more and more frequent and louder. The tone of these calls is set, first, by Aliaksandr Lukashenka himself. In August, two main events of this war – another escalation on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and the beginning of the military operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Kursk region of Russia – influenced the tone of statements of propagandists of state media.
On August 15, Lukashenka gave a two-hour interview to propagandists of Russian TV channel Russia-1 Evgeni Popov, in which he made several high-profile allegations. He made a series of stereotype allegations that Ukraine poses a threat and stated that over 120 thousand Ukrainian soldiers are stationed at the border with Belarus.
Lukashenka also complained that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles breach the airspace of Belarus in the eastern part of the country. Moreover, according to him, the goals of the war in Ukraine are already reached – Ukraine, in his words, is already “de-nazified”:
“You [in Russia] talk about Nazis. There [in Ukraine] are already no Nazis. Ukraine is de-nazified. But there are a few denounced Nazis who are still there, but they are no longer trending. Today, 70 and some percent hate Zelensky, because he promised one thing and does another, and people die”.
“Ukrainians will be our people after all. No one wants them in the West, no one needs them. Women will be their doormats, as it is happening now. Beautiful Ukrainian women! They just prostitute themselves there [in the West] to make money. And men will be used as they see it fit. They decided to throw them to the front – and they are already thrown back to Ukraine, to send them to massacre. One way. This is why Ukrainians are needed.”
“I was very close with Ukrainians; I know these people very well. Hardworking, decent. I always made them an example, they came to me when I worked in agriculture, worked in the fields from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., to earn some. You think money? No, to earn grain, take it back home, feed the cattle, sell, etc.”
“Not Ukraine is fighting against us. All this massacre was started before my eyes, these, how do you call them – “Nazis” – nationalistic leadership. Led by those politicians: Poroshenko, Zelenskyy and others. Led by them. They are to blame”.
Despite the aggressive rhetoric, in his interview, Belarusian dictator repeated several times that it is time to end war:
“Let’s sit down at the negotiating table and end this fight. Neither the Ukrainian people, nor the Russians, nor the Belarusians need it. They [Western countries] need it.”
On August 29, during the meeting with propagandists Lukashenka said:
“There were no orders to go and fight outside of Belarus and there won’t be any. We will only fight, when they will come to us led by bad intentions. That’s it.”
Several days before, Lukashenka claimed the opposite: allegedly, “Ukrainians are not ready for peace and continue to escalate tensions”. This is how Lukashenka commented the statement of the General Staff of the Air Force about alleged “breach of the airspace of Belarus” by Ukraine, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus have been placed “on highest standby”. Propaganda tried to show Belarus an innocent victim of “Ukrainian provocations”.
Aliaksandr Shpakouski, pro-state and pro-Russian expert, diplomat of the Embassy of Belarus in Moscow, personal Telegram-channel, August 18:
“Aliaksandr Lukashenka once again spoke about the need for peace negotiations. In Ukraine the statement was interpreted as if Moscow was “begging” Kyiv for peace through the lips of the Belarusian President. And few, alas, have discerned the meaning of what was said. Threatening warning of the Belarusian president sounded: “if there is escalation, it will end in the destruction of Ukraine”.
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine claims that under guise of military drills Belarus stationed military troops at its borders… and lies blatantly that “Ukraine has never taken and is not going to take unfriendly actions against the Belarusian people”.”
Kseniya Lebiadzeva, propagandist Belarus-1, August 13:
“Ukraine is not ready for peace – concluded Aliaksandr Lukashenka and ordered to our military to strengthen our southern border by men, arms and special operations troops. Because today, the Ukrainian leadership are ready to fight with everyone, just to stay on the payroll with Washington and fulfil the suicidal dream – join NATO.”
On August 6, the Ukrainian army (AFU) suddenly entered the Kursk region of Russia and quickly occupied dozens of settlements on Russian territory without encountering serious resistance on its way. This sudden and highly successful maneuver was done to divert Putin’s army’s attention from the offensive in Ukraine and to get Russian troops to move in to defend their territory.
The success of the AFU operation in Kursk Region caused a great resonance and confusion in the ranks of propagandists both in Russia and Belarus. Lukashenka called the operation “a provocation with the purpose of strikes against the Russian Federation”. Right after Lukashenka’s comment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus issued a statement, in which it condemned “attacks on civilian population, peaceful settlements and cities, targeted damage of infrastructure, acts of terrorism” from the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Of course, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not make any such statements about the numerous war crimes of the Russian army on the Ukrainian land. Never has any ministry or mass media controlled by Lukashenka expressed sympathy for the civilian population of Ukraine in such a situation and called on the Kremlin to stop the aggression.
State propagandists, following the words of the “president “about the “provocation” of the AFU, and started to talk about incapability of Ukrainians for peace. Their task is to prove that the purpose of the AFU attack on the Kursk region is to show Ukraine’s Western “sponsors” that their help was not in vain. Aleh Haidukevich, deputy, pro-state politician, ONT, August 7:
“Is victory the goal of terror attacks in the Kursk region? No. It must be shown to the Western partners that there is a certain success. There is no success on the front, it means – more terror attacks.”
“It is a PR campaign, it is an act of terrorism, it is an attempt to show to their people and to the West that they can, come and finance us”. (August 21)
Aliaksei Dzermant, pro state and pro-Russian expert, personal Telegram-channel, August 7:
«What does the Kyiv regime want to achieve by attacks like what is now happening in the Kursk region? To show that western aid is effective, and it is used against Russia to unleash painful strikes… Therefore, unconditional support for the actions and position of our military-political leadership is extremely important. Russia will still win”.
Vadzim Hihin, pro-state expert, deputy, personal Telegram-channel, August 10:
“Recent disturbing developments suggest that the Kiev regime is not in the mood for a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict”.
On August 24, Lukashenka’s press-service published the address of the “president” to the people of Ukraine on the Day of Independence of Ukraine. The tone of the address was so soft towards Ukrainians that it seemed as if Lukashenka is indirectly asking for forgiveness for his regime’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression. Here are some of the most notable quotes:
“The Belarusian land has always treated with special respect and warmth the cordial and hardworking people of Ukraine. For a long time, our nations have found strength in unity, shared joy and sorrow, shelter and bread, overcame adversity together and were proud of their successes. We are united not only by common destiny and kinship ties, but also by the desire to be friends and get along with neighbors”.
“I am convinced that in today’s difficult conditions it is not only possible but also necessary to speak the language of peace for the sake of the present and future generations of the Slavic peoples. There is no other alternative. For its part, Belarus will continue to do its utmost to ensure security in the region as soon as possible”.
Lukashenka also wished the residents of Ukraine “peaceful skies and civil accord,” according to the website of the “president.”
4. THE ”COLLECTIVE WEST”
U.S. Elections
In August, pro-government experts were busy commenting on the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November 2024. Most commentators tend to support Donald Trump, but in general the prevailing opinion is that the victory of any candidate will not affect the quality of US relations with Russia and Belarus.
Many of them prefer to discuss safer topics, such as the impact of the US elections on Europe. Aliaksandr Chorny, a columnist of the state-run newspaper Minskaya Prauda, predicts a weakening of the EU in any outcome:
“No matter who will become American President, Europe will lose as its dependence from Washington will not disappear. The question is who the lesser evil to EU will be – Trump or Harris”.
Political observer of the SB. Belarus Segodnya Anton Papou focuses on the fate of Poland and Hungary. He calls the Polish side “tame hyenas of the United States,” which demonstrate a desire to “push Hungary out of NATO and the EU” because of its “blind obedience to Washington’s interests”:
“The conflict between the Polish and Hungarian governments reflects a trend of division among the European powers. It is all about the fact that part of the continent’s countries has finally realized the perniciousness of American influence and were able to assess the consequences of the tragic break with Russia and, more broadly, with the Global East”.
Aleh Haidukevich, a pro-government politician and frequent guest of propaganda talk shows, picks up the narrative “the USA prevents some EU countries from improving relations with Belarus”. He claims that “the majority of Poles want normal relations with Belarus, normal borders, business relations, peace, calmness”, but since the Americans “came to Poland”, they allegedly set up an “outpost” there to fight Belarus and Russia.
On August 27, attending the meeting of the Republican Pedagogical Council in Minsk stated that western countries try to force him to fight against Russia on the side of Ukraine, suggesting letting “NATO troops near Smolensk”:
“[They say:] Spit on Russia, turn away from Russia. Let’s fight against Russia on the side of Ukraine. And we will station NATO troops near Smolensk at this border.” It comes down to this. Today I’m getting proposals from all sides, which we can’t accept by 99%. That’s why I want you to understand the situation we live in,” shared Lukashenka.
As before, the focus of Belarusian propaganda is concentrated on the nearest Western neighbors – Poland and the Baltic states. Taking the most irreconcilable and firm position in relation to Belarus and Russia, they are constantly the main anti-Western target of the state mass media. Aleh Haidukevich, MP, pro-government politician, SB. Belarus Segodnya, August 6:
“Poles must understand that [to them] it can happen as in Ukraine. Did 90% of Ukrainians want war?… Many Poles want normal relations with Belarus, normal borders, business-relations, peace, calmness. All people in the world want one. It must be understood, that in one moment for the millions of dollars that came to Poland, you will have to pay. Americans never give money just like that. Do they love Poles, Polish people? No. They don’t care about them, they think about themselves. And Poland is just an outpost for them to fight us”.
Aliaksandr Shpakouski pro-state and pro-Russian expert, diplomat, SB. Belarus Segodnya, August 16:
“We are open, we are always waiting for constructive proposals from Poland, while telling them for the hundredth time that we will not move one centimeter on the issue of state sovereignty. But at the same time, we do not demand that they give up their national interests either. We demand to stop trying to put pressure on Belarus. This is counterproductive, futile and boomerangs on the interests of Poland itself.”
In the mentioned big interview to the Russian federal channel Russia-1 Lukashenka, as usual, threw in a propaganda fake that Polish mercenaries are allegedly participating in the operation in Kursk region together with the Ukrainian army:
“They [Ukrainian servicemen] have been collected from all along the battle line… The rest were mercenaries, Poles and so on and so forth. A very powerful force was formed”.
Conflict with Armenia
In addition, he spoke very unfavorably about Armenia, causing a storm of indignation in various circles of this country. Speaking about Armenia’s estrangement from Russia and its efforts to get closer to the European Union and NATO, Lukashenka said:
“Who needs Armenians but us? Nobody needs them. Let them develop their economy and focus on what they have. What France, what Macron? Tomorrow there will be no Macron, and everyone will forget about this Armenia”.
After such an announcement Belarusian-Armenian relations got even worse. The day after Lukashenka’s interview, activists of pro-Armenian political parties pelted the Belarusian embassy in Yerevan with eggs and tomatoes. Since July, the ambassadors of both states have been recalled home for “consultations”.
iSANS will continue to analyze main propaganda trends in Belarus and Russia throughout 2024.
The report can be read in Russian language.
