Events

20 Apr 2026

Lukashenko names the only force capable of influencing his policy

MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) - In an interview with RT, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about which forces and sponsors are capable of influencing his policy, BelTA has learned.

During the conversation, the journalist noted that in the West, many politicians, upon coming to power, act in the interests of certain companies, organizations, and sponsors, those who, in fact, brought them to power. He asked whether there are forces capable of influencing the president of Belarus.

“Yes, there is. It is the people who elected me. I am ready to do everything in their interests. But the main thing is to preserve this small piece of land on which our children will live. So this power exists,” Aleksandr Lukashenko replied.

He noted that the system of governance must be structured in such a way that specific people are responsible for results and that the people - the voters - can hold them accountable. Moreover, the head of state must have sufficient authority.

“There was a moment when I did not have the kind of authority I have now. Back then, I took on the maximum amount of responsibility and told the people: ‘I take responsibility for this.’ That is what responsible politicians who want to do something for their people should do,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. For example, in Belarus, the president forms the government, oversees it, and takes responsibility for its work, unlike many systems in the West or in the European Union.

“With you over there, it’s unclear who forms what and who is responsible for what. People are used to holding a specific person or group of people accountable for results. With you, it’s all blurred. People in the West don’t understand who to hold responsible. Because if you ask Merz or Macron, they’ll say: ‘These are our powers and responsibilities and we are not responsible for the rest; others are responsible for the rest.’ And they don’t even try to take responsibility,” the Belarusian leader stated.

“They have too many wealthy sponsors who fund them, and over time they begin to work in the interests of those sponsors, rather than in the interests of the entire people of Germany, France, or the UK,” Alksandr Lukashenko continued. “They serve their term, line up their pockets, and leave. They’re doing well, but their people are not. This is why I question and criticize their system of governance and the formation of government bodies.”

As for sponsorship in Belarus, it generally relates to the organization of cultural and sporting events, to humanitarian matters and healthcare.

“No matter how much they criticize me, no one can say today that I took something that belongs to someone else, or that I did something in the interests of some sponsor or wealthy person. No one. Well, they can say it, but no one has cornered me with facts. There are no such facts,” the head of state noted. “For me, this is a barrier I cannot cross. I cannot allow myself to be reproached for taking something from some sponsors for my own well-being.”

“I am the president. My people, my state take care of ensuring my safety and enabling me to carry out my presidential duties,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “My advantage is that I come from a humble background; I am not, so to say, accustomed to wealth. For me, that is not what matters most. I’m not used to this luxurious life. I probably inherited this from my mother; she always taught me: ‘Son, don't touch what belongs to others. Don't take what isn't yours. It's bad. If not today, then tomorrow it will bring you trouble.’ So I remember this, and I teach my own children the same.