Lukashenko Praises Putin's 'Successful' Election After Joking About Who Is the 'Bigger Dictator'

Alexander Lukashenko has joked about being a dictator while discussing his long-standing relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

'They say I'm the last dictator, the last dictator in Europe. Dictator—so be it. Well, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and I often argue, jokingly, about which of us is the bigger dictator,' Lukashenko said while attending a youth forum.

Russia-Belarus Ties

Putin and Lukashenko have maintained a cordial relationship, as have their countries. Lukashenko sent Putin his congratulations following the recently concluded parliamentary elections in Russia.

'The unprecedented turnout of millions of voters and the constitutional majority won by the United Russia party in the State Duma came as a worthy response to cynical attempts from outside to discredit the campaign and split Russia's united society,' Lukashenko said via the Belarusian presidential press service on Monday.

Putin's United Russia party secured 57.83% of the party-list vote, with more than 95% of ballots counted, and was reported to have won 355 of the State Duma's 450 seats. In Russia, the State Duma refers to the lower house of the Federal Assembly.

'I am convinced that the new composition of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the elected senior officials of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and MPs at all levels will make a significant contribution to Union State building and to the implementation of our large-scale integration agenda,' Lukashenko also said.

Lukashenko said the result of the parliamentary election demonstrated Russians' continued support for Putin's policies and confidence in their country's strength.

EU Flags Belarus Security Threat

Lukashenko's closeness to Putin and Belarus's support for Russia during the war in Ukraine have resulted in other countries describing Minsk as Moscow's accomplice.

On Monday, 21 September 2026, the European Union hosted a ministerial side event with Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Ukraine focusing on the possible threat Belarus poses to regional and international security.

'The side event will examine the current situation in Belarus and its implications for international security. It will explore the links between systemic repression in the country and broader security challenges,' the meeting's objective stated.

The European Union said the event also addressed Belarus's role in Russia's war against Ukraine, transnational repression against Belarusians in exile and hybrid threats, including the instrumentalisation of migration and disinformation.

Belarus's First and Only President

Lukashenko is the only president Belarus has ever had. Belarus declared independence from the Soviet Union on 25 August 1991, several months before the USSR formally dissolved. A new constitution was officially adopted in 1994, and the country elected Lukashenko as its first president that year.

The 1994 presidential election is widely regarded as the only relatively free and fair presidential election held in Belarus since independence. International observers at the time generally considered the election free and fair. As a result, Lukashenko remains the only person to have served as president of Belarus.

The Belarusian leader has told local publications that he is weary of the presidency but has not seen anyone ready to take over: 'The only question is whether you're able today to take the country and hold on to it. If you are, get to work tomorrow. To be honest, I can't yet say that you are.'

He has also reflected on his long rule, saying: 'I became a dictator then because I stood up against the entire "civilised world."'