Belarus leader Lukashenko lavishes Putin with praise: ‘Better shape than ever’

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has been derided by world leaders as “harmful” and a “small, feral-eyed man” as he directs the invasion of Ukraine. However don’t inform that to Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko.

In an interview with a Japanese media outlet, Lukashenko – a Putin ally whose nation borders each Russia and Ukraine and was reportedly used as a staging space for the invasion that started Feb. 24 and is now in its fourth week – described the 69-year-old former KGB agent as “a totally sane, wholesome individual, bodily wholesome – he’s an athlete.

“As they are saying right here,” Lukashenko added about Putin, “he’ll catch a chilly in any respect our funerals.”

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Lukashenko shared his views with Japan’s TBS tv channel, the New York Put up reported.

“Putin is totally match, he is in higher form than ever,” added the Belarusian chief, 67, who has led the nation since 1994.

Lukashenko additionally claimed to be a detailed, private confidant of Putin’s in addition to a political supporter, the Put up reported.

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“He and I haven’t solely met as heads of state, we’re on pleasant phrases,” Lukashenko stated, in line with the report. “I’m completely aware of all his particulars, so far as doable, each state and private.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, proper, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stroll throughout their assembly on the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. 
(Related Press)

The remarks from Lukashenko got here the identical week that Putin appeared at a large live performance occasion in Moscow to mark the eighth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea following the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, through the Obama administration.

On the rally, Putin claimed the Ukraine invasion was obligatory to stop a “genocide” towards Ukraine’s Russian-speaking individuals – a declare that Western leaders have flatly rejected, Fox Information beforehand reported.

As an alternative, leaders within the U.S. and different Western nations declare Putin needs to make Ukraine a part of a revival of the previous Soviet Union, which collapsed greater than three a long time in the past.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, proper, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrive on the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana close to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. 
(Related Press)

However Putin’s plan has been stalled by an obvious miscalculation of the Ukrainians’ resolve and skill to fend off invading Russian forces, plus an sudden stage of unity within the West’s rejection of the battle and its help for Ukraine, in line with a earlier Fox Information report.

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Putin just lately was described by U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, as a “small, feral-eyed man” throughout a TV look, and NATO Secretary-Basic Jens Stoltenberg accused the Russian chief of utilizing “harmful rhetoric” about potential weapon use, the Put up reported.

Final week, Lukashenko and his spouse have been listed amongst overseas officers focused by financial sanctions leveled by the Biden administration in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, proper, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, second left, and Higher Home Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, left, go to the Sirius school for presented youngsters within the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. 
(The Related Press)

Lukashenko was accused of varied acts of corruption in a press release from the U.S. Treasury Division.

“Regardless of coming to energy almost 30 years in the past on an anti-corruption platform, [Alexander Lukashenko] … has used his authorities to grant distinctive privileges and benefits to his associates that would solely be supplied by the Belarusian state, together with, however not restricted to, authorities help, property, property, amended governmental insurance policies, monetary reduction, and an acceptance of smuggling of sure items,” the Treasury Division alleged in a press release.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, proper, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko go away a joint information convention following their talks within the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. 
(Related Press)

Treasury additionally stated Lukashenko used his energy over well being inspections and skill to strain landlords to hike up hire to focus on political opponents.

Lukashenko had beforehand been sanctioned by the U.S. in 2006 and 2021.

Fox Information’ Ronn Blitzer contributed to this story.