Belarus is not isolated, and Lukashenka is a recognized leader: this was the message pushed by state propaganda in June. Special attention was given to Lukashenka’s visit to China, as well as the fact that a delegation from the U.S. visited Minsk. Lukashenka was portrayed as almost a guru of foreign policy, with the steady construction of his personality cult.
Meanwhile, disappointment with Trump is voiced as frequently as Russia is called an “eternal ally” and “reliable friend”. The rhetoric toward Ukraine remains unchanged: Kyiv is still labeled an aggressor, with propaganda’s dreams of bringing it back under the “Slavic wing”. More details in iSANS’ monthly propaganda review.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Belarus
- In June, there were a number of signs indicating that the Belarusian regime intends to intensify its propaganda efforts in the country. Lukashenka again spoke of the need to create a national idea and increase the production of patriotic films.
- Propagandists continued to glorify dictator Lukashenka, thereby strengthening his cult of personality. They emphasize the dictator’s “unique role” in preserving Belarus’s independence, as well as the importance of strategic alliances with Russia and China.
- Lukashenka’s June trip to Beijing and his meeting with Xi Jinping were enthusiastically reported by the loyal media. Particular importance was attached to the “family” nature of the meeting between the two dictators.
- Despite the high assessment of the results of the meeting with the Chinese leader, the greatest attention is being paid to the strategic alliance with Russia.
Belarus’s democratic forces
- Propaganda continues its efforts to discredit, ridicule, and intimidate representatives of democratic forces and Belarusians who oppose the regime.
- As a result of the visit of U.S. Envoy Keith Kellogg to Minsk and his meeting with Lukashenka, a new group of political prisoners was released. State channels tried to present this as if the most insignificant figures who “posed no danger” had been released.
War in Ukraine
- iSANS media monitoring showed an increase in hostile anti-Ukrainian statements in the Belarusian media in June. Propaganda presents the conflict as an inevitable result of the aggressive policy of Kyiv and the West, emphasizing Belarus’s “peacekeeping role” in the negotiation process.
- Several statements were recorded that used the classic propaganda technique of shifting the blame for starting the war from the aggressor to the victim.
- In response to strikes on Russian strategic air bases, Belarusian propaganda accused Ukraine of terrorist attacks and tried to downplay the damage caused.
- Propagandists continue to justify and defend the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Belarus.
- At the same time, “peaceful” statements are being made that Belarus wants peace as soon as possible and is in favor of negotiations.
Western countries
- Propaganda continues to portray the West as a hostile, hypocritical, and degenerate international player seeking to weaken Russia and Belarus, but losing its influence and facing internal problems.
- The excitement and euphoria of Donald Trump’s first months as U.S. president are now replaced by disappointment and skepticism. The rise of anti-Trump sentiment became particularly evident after the U.S. participated in Israel’s operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- Lukashenka’s propaganda continues to portray Poland and the Baltic states as Belarus’s main foreign policy enemies.
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In general, Belarusian propaganda continues to operate in a logic of total confrontation with the West and the opposition, while glorifying Lukashenka as the center of national unity and stability, the union with Russia as a guarantor of security, and rapprochement with China as a civilizational choice. The information campaign is accompanied by harsh militaristic rhetoric and justification of repression against “enemies inside and outside.”
You can read or download the whole monitoring of propaganda in RB for June 2025 at this link.
Материал доступен на русском языке: «Никакой идеологии без кино быть не может». Культ личности Лукашенко и нарративы советского стиля в беларусской пропаганде в июне 2025
