The short version is that Belarus's leader admitted to a recurring, lighthearted argument with his Russian counterpart about who holds more absolute power. In plain terms, a dictator is a ruler who concentrates all political authority in their own hands, often bypassing standard democratic checks and balances. This exchange, revealed during a speech to youth leaders in Minsk, highlights the unusually candid relationship between the two autocrats.
Alexander Lukashenko, who has governed Belarus since 1994, made these remarks at the "Youth. Belarus. Future." forum on September 17. He told the audience that he and Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia since 2012, frequently joke and debate which of them qualifies as the "ultimate dictator." Lukashenko, 72, described himself as "the last dictator in Europe" and accepted the label with a shrug, stating, "Dictator, so be it." He noted that the two leaders often argue, in a joking manner, about who is the bigger of the two.
This casual banter underscores a deep strategic alignment between Minsk and Moscow. While Belarus has not sent ground troops to fight in the war in Ukraine, it serves as a critical staging ground for Russian military operations. According to the Kyiv Post, Belarus supplies key weapons components to Russia and allows its forces to launch strikes from Belarusian territory. A recent report by Ukrainska Pravda also pointed to new railway construction in Gomel Oblast, near the Ukrainian border, capable of handling military trains.
The close partnership persists despite significant Western pressure. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys recently stated that the Baltic nation sees no reason to soften its stance, as Belarus has not changed its behavior. The EU continues to maintain economic restrictions over human rights abuses. However, there have been recent shifts in trade dynamics. On September 11, Lukashenko announced that Belarus had begun selling potash, a primary export used in fertilizer, to the United States. U.S. sanctions on Belarusian potash were lifted following the release of political prisoners, though European sanctions remain active.
Addressing the question of political succession, Lukashenko insisted that no one is currently prepared to take over power in Belarus. He dismissed critics who claim he is "clinging to power with blue-knuckled hands," saying he has had his fill of the position. "The only question is whether you are capable today of taking over the country and holding on to it," he told the youth audience. "If you are, start tomorrow. To be frank, I cannot yet answer that question positively. Do not take offence." He added that he became a dictator because he stood up against what he called the entire "civilized world."
The two leaders have been in frequent contact recently. After meeting in Moscow on August 27, Lukashenko officially congratulated Putin on September 21 following the Russian election results. He praised the high voter turnout and the majority secured by the United Russia party, framing it as a response to external attempts to discredit the campaign. This diplomatic warmth stands in contrast to the ongoing economic isolation imposed by Western nations on both Minsk and Moscow.