Editing Alexander Lukashenko (section)

===Foreign policy===
{{Further|Foreign relations of Belarus}}

====Russia====
{{Further|Belarus–Russia relations|Union State}}
[[File:Vladimir Putin 14 May 2002-8.jpg|thumb|right|With Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] during a news conference in 2002]]

In the 1990s, Lukashenko and the then-Russian president [[Boris Yeltsin]] envisaged the formation of a Union State. Yeltsin suffered from poor health and alcoholism, which induced Lukashenko into thinking that he would lead both states. But After Yeltsin anointed Putin as his successor, Lukashenko stalled the merger.<ref name="Mirovalev"/>

Lukashenko's relationship with Russia, once his powerful ally and vocal supporter, has significantly deteriorated. The run-up to the [[2010 Belarusian presidential election]] was marked by a series of Russian media attacks on Lukashenko.<ref name="rferl1" /> Throughout July state-controlled channel [[NTV (Russia)|NTV]] broadcast a multi-part documentary entitled "The Godfather" highlighting the suspicious disappearance of the opposition leaders [[Yury Zacharanka]] and [[Viktar Hanchar]], businessman [[Anatol Krasouski]] and journalist [[Dzmitry Zavadski]] during the late 1990s.<ref>RFE/RL. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Is_Lukashenka_In_The_Kremlins_Crosshairs/2094771.html Is Lukashenka In The Kremlin's Crosshairs?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220427/http://www.rferl.org/content/Is_Lukashenka_In_The_Kremlins_Crosshairs/2094771.html |date=3 March 2016 }}. (8 July 2010).</ref> Lukashenko called the media attack "dirty propaganda".<ref>RFE/RL. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Lukashenka_Calls_Russian_Media_Attacks_Dirty_Propoganda/2103572.html Lukashenka Calls Russian Media Attacks 'Dirty Propaganda' ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921095319/http://www.rferl.org/content/Lukashenka_Calls_Russian_Media_Attacks_Dirty_Propoganda/2103572.html |date=21 September 2016 }}. (29 July 2010).</ref>
[[File:Mishustin and Lukashenko (2020-09-03) 01.jpg|thumb|Lukashenko with Russian prime minister [[Mikhail Mishustin]] in 2020]]
Despite a historically good relationship with Russia, tensions between Lukashenko and the Russian government started showing in 2020.<ref name="strained">{{Cite news|title=Lukashenka Accuses Moscow Of Pressuring Belarus Into Russian Merger|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-belarus-accuses-russia-pressuring-merger/30396235.html|access-date=9 August 2020|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=25 January 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029195853/https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-belarus-accuses-russia-pressuring-merger/30396235.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tensions">{{Cite web|date=31 July 2020|title=Belarus: Lukashenko accuses Russian mercenaries, critics of plotting attack|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-lukashenko-accuses-russian-mercenaries-critics-of-plotting-attack/a-54398681|access-date=9 August 2020|website=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808054704/https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-lukashenko-accuses-russian-mercenaries-critics-of-plotting-attack/a-54398681|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 January 2020, Lukashenko publicly accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of trying to make Belarus a part of Russia.<ref name="strained" /> This led to Russia cutting economic subsidies for Belarus.<ref name="cuts">{{Cite web|title=Russia warns Belarus will pay price for contractors' arrests|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/russia-warns-belarus-will-pay-price-for-contractors-arrests-1.640179|access-date=9 August 2020|website=Stars and Stripes|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809172744/https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/russia-warns-belarus-will-pay-price-for-contractors-arrests-1.640179|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2020, the relationship between Belarus and Russia was described as "strained" after 33 Russian military contractors were arrested in Minsk.<ref name="tensions" />

Lukashenko afterwards accused Russia of collaborating with opposition activist [[Siarhei Tsikhanouski]] and trying to cover up an attempt to send 200 fighters from a private Russian military firm known as the [[Wagner Group]] into Belarus on a mission to destabilize the country ahead of its 9 August presidential election.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 August 2020|title=Belarus ruler Lukashenko says Russia lying over 'mercenaries'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817145300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Belarusian President Accuses Russia Of Trying To Cover Up Vagner Group Election Plot|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-diplomats-meet-detained-vagner-contractors-in-minsk-jail/30761549.html|access-date=9 August 2020|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808230911/https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-diplomats-meet-detained-vagner-contractors-in-minsk-jail/30761549.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 August 2020, Russia's security chief Dmitry Medvedev warned Belarus to release the contractors.<ref name="cuts" /> Lukashenko also claimed Russia was lying about its attempts to use the Wagner Group to influence the upcoming election.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 August 2020|title=Belarus ruler says Russia lying over 'mercenaries'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817145300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:CSTO Summit 2022 02.jpg|thumb|Meeting of the Russian-led military alliance, [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] (CSTO), in Moscow on 16 May 2022]]
On 11 November 2021, Lukashenko raised the possibility of interrupting the [[Yamal–Europe pipeline]] carrying [[Russia in the European energy sector|Russian gas]] to the European Union if the bloc imposes further sanctions on Belarus.<ref name="gas">{{cite news |title=Belarus Warns Against New EU Sanctions, Says Could Cut Gas |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/11/11/belarus-warns-against-new-eu-sanctions-says-could-cut-gas-a75532 |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |date=11 November 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111153438/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/11/11/belarus-warns-against-new-eu-sanctions-says-could-cut-gas-a75532 |url-status=live }}</ref>  [[Vladimir Putin|Putin]] said that Lukashenko had not consulted him before raising the possibility of stopping gas deliveries coming from Russia to the EU via a pipeline through Belarus, adding that such a move would risk harming ties between Belarus and Russia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin chides Lukashenko over threat to cut off gas to EU |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-lukashenko-gas-supplies-crisis-migration/ |work=Politico |date=13 November 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121163545/https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-lukashenko-gas-supplies-crisis-migration/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2022, Lukashenko permitted Russian forces to stage part of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]] from Belarusian territory.<ref>{{cite news |author-last1=Lister |author-first1=Tim |author-last2=Kesa |author-first2=Julia |title=Ukraine says it was attacked through Russian, Belarus and Crimea borders |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-23-22/h_82bf44af2f01ad57f81c0760c6cb697c |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=[[CNN]] |date=24 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224071121/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-23-22/h_82bf44af2f01ad57f81c0760c6cb697c |url-status=live }}</ref> Commenting on the war in Ukraine Lukashenko has said that he didn't expect the conflict “drag on this way.”<ref>{{cite news |url= https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-aab9f48d6c4941d2f4d4b5d3fa8ed751 |title= 'Seemed like goodbye': Mariupol defenders make their stand |work= AP |date= 5 May 2022 |access-date= 6 May 2022 |archive-date= 11 May 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220511192916/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-aab9f48d6c4941d2f4d4b5d3fa8ed751 |url-status= live }}</ref> In June 2023, Lukashenko claimed that "the only mistake we made’ was not finishing off Ukraine with Russia in 2014".<ref>{{cite web |title=Belarus' Lukashenko: 'The only mistake we made' was not finishing off Ukraine with Russia in 2014 |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-alexander-lukashenko-mistake-not-invade-ukraine-russia-2014-vladimir-putin/ |website=[[Politico]] |date=2 June 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129205012/https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-alexander-lukashenko-mistake-not-invade-ukraine-russia-2014-vladimir-putin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2024, Lukashenko urged both Russia and Ukraine to start [[Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|peace negotiations]], saying in an interview with Russian state television: "Neither the Ukrainian people, nor the Russians, nor the Belarusians need it. It’s them in the West, who need [the war]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Kremlin ally Belarus calls for peace in Russia-Ukraine 'scuffle' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-aleksandr-lukashenko-russia-vladimir-putin-ukraine-war-peace-scuffle/ |work=Politico |date=15 August 2024}}</ref> He accused the West of supporting Ukraine's [[August 2024 Kursk Oblast incursion|incursion into the Kursk region]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lukashenko urges Russia and Ukraine to end war as Kursk incursion continues |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/lukashenko-urges-russia-and-ukraine-to-end-war-as-kursk-incursion-continues/ |work=Euractiv |date=16 August 2024}}</ref>

==== European Union ====
{{Further|Belarus–European Union relations}}

Lukashenko's relationship with the EU has been strained, in part by choice and in part by his policies towards domestic opponents. Lukashenko's repression of opponents caused him to be called "Europe's last dictator" and resulted in the EU imposing visa sanctions on him and a range of Belarusian officials. At times, the EU has lifted sanctions as a way to encourage dialogue or gain concessions from Lukashenko.<ref>Czachor, Rafał (2011) ''Polityka zagraniczna Republiki Białoruś w latach 1991–2011''. Studium politologiczne, Wydawnictwo DWSPiT, Polkowice, p. 299, {{ISBN|978-83-61234-72-2}}</ref> Since the EU adopted this policy of "change through engagement", it has supported economic and political reforms to help integrate the Belarusian state.<ref>{{cite news|last=Makhovsky|first=Andrei|title=Belarus leader calls for dialogue with European Union|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/belarus-president-eu-idUSL5E8G8E6320120508|access-date=7 January 2013|archive-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311002944/http://www.reuters.com/article/belarus-president-eu-idUSL5E8G8E6320120508|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the EU sanctioned Belarus for its crackdown against the 2020 mass protests, Lukashenko advertised Belarus as an entry point for migrants to reach the EU, resulting in the [[Belarus–European Union border crisis]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lukashenko refuses to block migrants at Belarus-EU border, pushing Poland to seek China's help |work=InfoMigrants|url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/59254/lukashenko-refuses-to-block-migrants-at-belaruseu-border-pushing-poland-to-seek-chinas-help|date = 20 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lukashenko says Belarusian troops may have helped refugees reach Europe |work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/19/lukashenko-says-belarusian-troops-may-have-helped-refugees-reach-europe|date = 19 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= How Belarus is helping 'tourists' break into the EU |work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58952867|date = 21 October 2021}}</ref>

==== United States ====
{{Further|Belarus–United States relations}}
[[File:Secretary Pompeo Meets With Belarusian President Lukashenko (49473917277).jpg|thumb|With U.S. secretary of state [[Mike Pompeo]] in 2020]]
In March 2003, Lukashenko said that Belarus unanimously condemned the US-led [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Belarus Denounces Iraqi Aggression: Lukashenko |url=https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/23191-n/ |work=Pravda |date=21 March 2003 |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710080634/https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/23191-n/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 August 2019, [[John R. Bolton|John Bolton]], then [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor of the United States]], was received by Lukashenko during his visit to Minsk, which was the first of its kind in 18 years.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 August 2019|title=John Bolton's Belarus trip stirs threat to Putin|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/john-boltons-belarus-trip-stirs-threat-to-putin|access-date=13 February 2020|website=Washington Examiner|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222170733/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/john-boltons-belarus-trip-stirs-threat-to-putin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bolton Says U.S.-Belarus Dialogue Necessary, Despite 'Significant Issues'|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-tells-bolton-he-wants-new-chapter-in-ties-between-belarus-u-s-/30136481.html|access-date=31 August 2019|website=rferl.org|date=30 August 2019 |archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831022557/https://www.rferl.org/amp/lukashenka-tells-bolton-he-wants-new-chapter-in-ties-between-belarus-u-s-/30136481.html|url-status=live |last1=Time |first1=Current }}</ref>

==== China ====
{{Further|Belarus–China relations}}
[[File:Lukashenko-Xi meeting (2023-03-02).png|thumb|With [[President of China|Chinese president]] [[Xi Jinping]] in 2023]]
Under Lukashenko, China and Belarus have maintained close ties, with him advocating an approach of "understanding China, learning from China, and approaching China."<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Yan |last2=Cheng |first2=Enfu |date=1 December 2020 |title=Market Socialism in Belarus: An Alternative to China's Socialist Market Economy |url=https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.11.4.0428 |journal=World Review of Political Economy |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=438 |doi=10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.11.4.0428 |s2cid=236786906 |issn=2042-8928 |access-date=10 March 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604034246/https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.11.4.0428 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, the [[chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]] [[Wu Bangguo]] noted that Belarus has been rapidly developing under Lukashenko.<ref>{{cite web |title=China Praises Lukashenko for His Successful Opposition to the West |url=http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/09/1311.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108093841/http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/09/1311.html |archive-date=8 November 2012 |access-date=1 August 2012 |work=The China Times}}</ref> On 1 March 2023, Lukashenko met [[President of China|Chinese president]] [[Xi Jinping]] in Beijing, which produced a range of cooperation documents on industry, trade, agricultural, and other matters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 2023 |title=Xi and Lukashenko call for 'soonest' peace in Ukraine at China-Belarus summit |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china-work-with-belarus-promote-bilateral-relations-state-media-2023-03-01/ |access-date=2 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319005746/https://www.reuters.com/world/china-work-with-belarus-promote-bilateral-relations-state-media-2023-03-01/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Middle East ====
Following the [[2014 Syrian presidential election]], President Lukashenko congratulated President [[Bashar al-Assad]]. His cable "expressed keenness to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between Belarus and Syria in all fields for the benefit of the two peoples."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/presidential-elections/13290-president-assad-receives-congratulations-from-the-president-of-belarus-confidence-in-syria-elimination-of-current-crisis|title=President Assad receives Congratulations from the President of Belarus: Confidence in Syria Elimination of Current Crisis|website=Syriatimes.com|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331021419/http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/presidential-elections/13290-president-assad-receives-congratulations-from-the-president-of-belarus-confidence-in-syria-elimination-of-current-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref>

Belarus condemned the [[NATO]]-led [[2011 military intervention in Libya|military intervention in Libya]], and the foreign ministry stated that "the missile strikes and bombings on the territory of Libya go beyond Resolution 1973 of the UN Security Council and are in breach of its principal goal, ensuring safety of the civilian population. The Republic of Belarus calls on the states involved with the military operation to cease, with immediate effect, the military operations which lead to human casualties. The settlement of the conflict is an internal affair of Libya and should be carried out by the Libyan people alone without military intervention from outside."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/f75073a623f49a26.html|title=Statement released by the Foreign Ministry in connection with the missile strikes and bombings on Libya|website=Mfa.gov.by|access-date=20 April 2016|archive-date=26 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326150329/http://mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/f75073a623f49a26.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They did not recognize the [[National Transitional Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=After Much Wrangling, General Assembly Seats National Transitional Council of Libya as Country's Representative for Sixty-Sixth Session |url=https://press.un.org/en/2011/ga11137.doc.htm |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=United Nations}}</ref>

Upon hearing the news regarding the death of Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]], Alexander Lukashenko said that "aggression has been committed, and the country's leadership, not only Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed. And how was it killed? Well, if they had shot him in a battle, it's one thing, but they humiliated and tormented him, they shot at him, they violated him when he was wounded, they twisted his neck and arms, and then they tortured him to death. It's worse than the Nazis once did." He also condemned the current situation of Libya and was critical regarding the future of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/lukashenko-outraged-by-gaddafis-treatment.html#.T-6i5heODUg|title=Lukashenko outraged by Gaddafi's treatment|date=4 November 2011|website=Kyivpost.com|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704093609/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/lukashenko-outraged-by-gaddafis-treatment.html#.T-6i5heODUg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wireupdate.com/libya-belarusian-president-lukashenko-says-nato-did-worse-than-the-nazis.html |title=Libya: Belarusian President Lukashenko says NATO 'did worse than the Nazis' |access-date=25 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704095225/http://wireupdate.com/libya-belarusian-president-lukashenko-says-nato-did-worse-than-the-nazis.html |archive-date=4 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Others ====
His policies have been praised by some other world leaders. In response to a question about Belarus's domestic policies, President [[Hugo Chávez]] of [[Venezuela]] said "We see here a model social state like the one we are beginning to create."<ref>{{cite news|date=25 July 2005|title=Chavez forges ties with Belarus|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5209868.stm|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308055118/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5209868.stm|archive-date=8 March 2007}}</ref> In 2015, Lukashenko sought to improve trade relations between Belarus and Latin America.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 June 2015|title=Lukashenko highlights Belarus' cooperation with Latin America|publisher=Belarusian News|url=http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/Lukashenko-highlights-Belarus-cooperation-with-Latin-America_i_82783.html|url-status=dead|access-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708140333/http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/Lukashenko-highlights-Belarus-cooperation-with-Latin-America_i_82783.html|archive-date=8 July 2015}}</ref>

In March 2022, Australia sanctioned Lukashenko for giving "[[Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|strategic support to Russia and its military forces]]" in the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-places-additional-sanctions-russia-and-belarus |title=Australia places additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus |publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325120854/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-places-additional-sanctions-russia-and-belarus |archive-date=25 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2022, he was blacklisted by New Zealand<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Nanaia Mahuta]]|date=16 May 2022|title=Belarusian leaders and defence entities targeted under latest round of sanctions|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/belarusian-leaders-and-defence-entities-targeted-under-latest-round-sanctions|accessdate=1 March 2023|work=[[Government of New Zealand]]|language=en|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301162639/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/belarusian-leaders-and-defence-entities-targeted-under-latest-round-sanctions|url-status=live}}</ref> and Japan<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/08/national/japan-russia-belarus-sanctions-ukraine/ |title=Japan hits Russia and Belarus with more sanctions over Ukraine invasion |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=[[The Japan Times]] |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404211410/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/08/national/japan-russia-belarus-sanctions-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> on the same grounds.

In September 2023, Lukashenko, reacting to the [[2023 North Korea–Russia summit]], proposed a three-way cooperation pact with Russia and [[North Korea]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-belarus-north-korea-putin-lukashenko-kim-82a192e032d1cda8bbbb68ddc9751c38|title=Belarus leader proposes three-way cooperation with Russia's Putin and North Korea's Kim|date=15 September 2023|website=AP News}}</ref>

At the December 2024 summit of the [[Eurasian Economic Union]], Armenian Prime Minister [[Nikol Pashinyan]] engaged in a heated argument with Lukashenko during a livestream attended by other EEU leaders after Pashinyan refused Lukashenko's invitation to visit Belarus for the next EEU summit, citing Minsk's support for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An altercation erupts at a high-level meeting of a Russia-dominated economic union |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-economic-union-belarus-armenia-1dc20197b7c743f18f8d86b923473132 |access-date=27 December 2024|website=[[Associated Press]]|date=26 December 2024 }}</ref>