Moscow [Russia], January 27: Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, taking two hours to address the media at a press conference on election day, spoke at length about US President Donald Trump, Belarusian fears of being annexed by Russia and Europe's ties to Washington.
"They need to decouple from the American aircraft carrier," Lukashenko said of Europe at a press conference in Minsk after casting his vote, drawing attention to how Trump was pressuring Europe to do more for its own security.
"You (Europeans) are squirming like snakes to find a way out." It would be better for Europe to form an alliance with Russia, said Lukashenko, who himself has close ties to Moscow.
"Donald is a great artist, an actor, a showman," Lukashenko commented. He said he does not expect Trump's second term in office to bring any changes for Belarus, however.
He sought to allay fears that Russia could completely annex his country, saying during his two-hour appearance that he speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin about "how we will live, how we will work together." "But there was nothing of the sort that we would unite into one state."
Lukashenko, whose authoritarian rule has lasted 30 years, said he in fact no longer wanted to run for office.
"I didn't want to compete in this election. I didn't want to," he insisted.
After the 2020 election, which was marred by accusations of widespread fraud, mass protests almost swept Lukashenko from office.
He held on to power through the use of force and support from Moscow.
Source: Qatar Tribune
