Support The Moscow Times!

Lukashenko Touts Russia as an Ally

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said Wednesday that he was not about to change his authoritarian ways just to gain favor with Europe, stressing that his country would remain a strategic ally of Russia.

“Europeans must understand they can’t make us to do something that we do not want,” he told an economic forum in Vilnius. “We know what are the best interests of our nation.”

Lukashenko made a rare visit to neighboring Lithuania — his first in 11 years — and the second trip to a European Union and NATO member since an EU travel ban on top Belarussian officials was lifted earlier this year.

Many Lithuanians were critical of the decision to invite Lukashenko. A dozen protesters jeered him near the presidential palace by waving signs and calling for an end to political repression in Belarus.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more