“Why Lukashenka? Because he is strong”. Main narratives of Belarusian propaganda in January 2026

iSANS ×

15 February 2026

Photo: belta

SUMMARY

BELARUS

In January, propaganda enthusiastically discussed Donald Trump’s invitation to Vladimir Putin and Aliaksandr Lukashenka to join the “Board of Peace.”
Pro-government channels continue to strengthen the image of Lukashenka as a “peacemaker” who is holding Belarus back from falling into the abyss of wars and conflicts.
The main attacks are directed against the opposition, political emigrants, and representatives of Belarusian democratic forces. The meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leader of Belarus’s democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was presented by pro-government commentators as a blow to the developing relations between Belarus and the U.S., and its significance was downplayed.

WAR IN UKRAINE

In January, information attacks against Ukraine and its leadership intensified. Belarus continues to participate in the hybrid war against Ukraine. Its anti-Ukrainian narratives are synchronized with the ideological lines of the Kremlin.
Propaganda tends to shift the blame for the ongoing war from the aggressor (Russia) to the victim of aggression – Ukraine.
In January, Russia struck Ukraine with the Oreshnik ballistic missile for the second time. Propagandists expected that this attack would push the Ukrainian leadership toward negotiations with Russia on Moscow’s terms.

“THREAT FROM THE WEST”

The West is portrayed as the main foreign policy enemy threatening the stability and security of Belarus and its alliance with Russia.
In anti-Western propaganda narratives, the U.S. is gradually giving the role of the main antagonist to Europe. Particular focus is placed on Poland and the Baltic states.
Throughout the month, propaganda discussed the U.S. special operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and, in this context, could not settle on a clear attitude toward Donald Trump.
Trump’s threats to seize Greenland were gleefully presented by pro-government commentators as evidence of a split within the West and the weakening of Europe.
Propaganda fully approved and justified the repression and brutality of the authorities against participants of peaceful mass protests in Iran.

15.02.2026

SUMMARYBELARUSStrengthening Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s image as the sole and irreplaceable ruler remains one of the main tasks of Belarusian propaganda.

SUMMARYBelarusPro-government channels continue to reinforce the cult of personality of “president” Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

Lukashenka demands peace from Ukraine, Trump is listed as an enemy, state media rejoice at the U.S.

Poland became the main target of propaganda attacks in September.

Not so long ago, Trump was on the black list of Belarusian propaganda, but after the call to Belarus, the situation began to change.

Belarusian propaganda is finally disappointed in Trump: the entire collective West, including the U.S., is an enemy again.