Editing Alexander Lukashenko (section)

==Personal life==
===Marriage and children===
[[File:Alexander Lukashenko with his sons.jpg|thumb|right| Lukashenko with his sons|240px]]

Lukashenko married [[Galina Lukashenko|Galina Zhelnerovich]], his high school sweetheart, in 1975. Later that year, his oldest son, [[Viktor Lukashenko|Viktor]], was born. Their second son, [[Dmitry Lukashenko|Dmitry]], was born in 1980. Galina lives separately in a house in the village [[Shklow]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-village.me/village/city/news-city/278317-kto-zhivet-v-byvshem-dome-lukashenko|title=Кто живет в бывшем доме Лукашенко|date=2 November 2019|website=The Village Беларусь|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415014953/https://www.the-village.me/village/city/news-city/278317-kto-zhivet-v-byvshem-dome-lukashenko|url-status=live}},
{{cite news | title=Стало известно, сколько Лукашенко заработал за прошлый год | url=https://www.the-village.me/village/business/business-news/283337-lukashenko-zp | work=Комсомольская правда в Белоруссии | date=15 July 2020 | access-date=11 February 2021 | language=ru | archive-date=7 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907081556/https://www.the-village.me/village/business/business-news/283337-lukashenko-zp | url-status=live }}</ref> Though they are still legally married, Galina Lukashenko has been estranged from her husband since shortly after he became president.<ref name='spouse'>{{cite news | first=Anna | last=Lyashkevich | title=Галина Лукашенко: Саша&nbsp;– необыкновенный человек | publisher=БелаПАН | url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2005/09/29/ic_articles_116_135396/ | work=Комсомольская правда в Белоруссии | access-date=26 December 2008 | language=ru | archive-date=2 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302160517/http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2005/09/29/ic_articles_116_135396 | url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2014 interview, Lukashenko said that they had not lived together for 30 years and the only reason they had not divorced was that he did not want to traumatize his adult sons.<ref name="straight">{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-interview-dozhd-tv/25394678.html|title=Straight-Talking Alyaksandr Lukashenka On Life, Women, and Politics|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=22 May 2014|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420205312/https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-interview-dozhd-tv/25394678.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Lukashenko has been seen on public occasions with various women; when asked about this in the same 2014 interview he explained that he did not want to sit with an official with a "sour face", preferring "My son on one side, and a girl on the other".<ref name="straight"/>

Lukashenko fathered a son, [[Nikolai Lukashenko|Nikolai]], who was born in 2004. Though never confirmed by the government, it is widely believed that Nikolai's mother is Irina Abelskaya—the two had an extramarital affair when she was Lukashenko's personal doctor.<ref>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Parfitt | title=Belarus squirms as son follows in dictator's steps | date=6 April 2009 | work=The Guardian | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/06/belarus-nikolai-lukashenko | access-date=8 December 2009 | location=London | archive-date=6 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906100332/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/06/belarus-nikolai-lukashenko | url-status=live }}</ref> There has never been any public statement about who Nikolai's mother is; Nikolai was raised solely by his father.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Beckhusen|first1=Robert|title=Belarus Dictator Says He's Totally Not Building a Dynasty|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/07/belarus/|newspaper=Wired|date=7 February 2012|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125013547/http://www.wired.com/2012/07/belarus/|url-status=live}}</ref> It has been reported by Western observers and media that Nikolai, nicknamed "Kolya", is being groomed as Lukashenko's successor.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Shaun|title=Who's that boy in the grey suit? It's Kolya Lukashenko – the next dictator of Belarus...|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/whos-that-boy-in-the-grey-suit-its-kolya-lukashenko--the-next-dictator-of-belarus-7897089.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=29 June 2012|access-date=1 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045801/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/whos-that-boy-in-the-grey-suit-its-kolya-lukashenko--the-next-dictator-of-belarus-7897089.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Haddadi|first1=Anissa|title=The Belarus Boy Wonder: Nikolai Lukashenko, 7, Anointed to become President|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-seven-year-old-357934|access-date=1 August 2014|work=International Business Times|publisher=IBTimes Co.|date=29 June 2012|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810150744/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-seven-year-old-357934|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Belarusian state media, these speculations were dismissed by Lukashenko, who also denied that he would remain in office for a further thirty years—the time Nikolai will become eligible to stand for election and succeed him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lukashenko denies reports he is grooming Nikolai as his successor|url=http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/i_22881.html|access-date=1 August 2014|agency=BELTA|publisher=Belarusian News|date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815041632/http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/i_22881.html|archive-date=15 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lukashenko has a pet dog, a [[spitz]] named Umka.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/government/events/lukashenko-takes-dip-in-icy-waters-near-minsk-to-mark-epiphany_i_124198.html |title=Lukashenko takes dip in icy waters near Minsk to mark Epiphany|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204061404/https://www.belarus.by/en/government/events/lukashenko-takes-dip-in-icy-waters-near-minsk-to-mark-epiphany_i_124198.html|archive-date=4 February 2021 }}</ref>

===Sports===
[[File:Fetisov Lukashenko Putin Kamensky Sochi 4 January 2014.jpg|left|thumb|225x225px|Putin on friendly hockey match in the Bolshoy ice arena, Sochi, in 2014. With him are Lukashenko, [[Viacheslav Fetisov]] and [[Valeri Kamensky]].]]

Lukashenko used to play football, but stopped playing during his presidency.<ref name="bayanfootball"/> His two elder sons also play ice hockey, sometimes alongside their father.<ref>[http://www.ng.ru/cis/2003-10-01/4_minsk.html Президент-хоккей Александра Лукашенко] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320232515/http://www.ng.ru/cis/2003-10-01/4_minsk.html |date=20 March 2014 }}. ng.ru. 1 October 2003.</ref> Lukashenko started training in cross-country running as a child, and in the 2000s still competed at the national level.<ref>[http://www.vsesmi.ru/news/604820/ Александр Лукашенко выиграл лыжные соревнования] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007064301/http://www.vsesmi.ru/news/604820/ |date=7 October 2014 }}. vsesmi.ru. 3 March 2007.</ref> He is a keen skier and ice hockey forward.<ref>[http://www.sports.ru/hockey/6420162.html Ветераны «Сборной звезд мира» проведут товарищескую игру] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121518/http://www.sports.ru/hockey/6420162.html |date=6 October 2014 }}. sports.ru. 12 December 2008.</ref> In an interview he said that he plays ice hockey three times a week.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-fields-questions-ranging-from-the-serious-to-the-personal-in-an-unusual-interview-136437-2021/ |title=Lukashenko fields questions, ranging from the serious to the personal, in an unusual interview |date=11 January 2021 |website=BelTa |publisher=The Belarusian Telegraph Agency |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128070711/https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-fields-questions-ranging-from-the-serious-to-the-personal-in-an-unusual-interview-136437-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has established the Belarus President's team, an amateur team which he sometimes plays for.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/press-release/belarus-presidents-team-win-amateur-ice-hockey-tournament-for-11th-time_i_0000111281.html |title=Belarus President's team win amateur ice hockey tournament for 11th time |date=13 April 2020 |website=Belarus.by |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207150742/https://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/press-release/belarus-presidents-team-win-amateur-ice-hockey-tournament-for-11th-time_i_0000111281.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Numerous [[ice rink]]s intended to enable competitive ice hockey games to be played, have been built all over Belarus at Lukashenko's behest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euobserver.com/foreign/115674 |title=Ice Hockey finals in Belarus still on schedule |date=23 March 2012 |author=Nikolaj Ńielsen |website=EUObserver |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115075320/https://euobserver.com/foreign/115674 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lukashenko was instrumental in getting the [[2014 IIHF World Championship]] in ice hockey to be hosted by Belarus which was considered controversial due to Lukashenko's repressive regime.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1525/curh.2011.110.738.277 | title=Lukashenko's Game is up | year=2011 | last1=Wilson | first1=Andrew | journal=Current History | volume=110 | issue=738 | pages=277–282 | doi-access=free }}</ref> Belarus was supposed to host the [[2021 IIHF World Championship]] in May 2021, but that was cancelled after international condemnation and threats by sponsors to withdraw.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0231_EN.pdf|title=Situation in Belarus. European Parliament resolution of 17 September 2020 on the situation in Belarus (2020/2779(RSP))|website=Europarl.europa.eu|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805071615/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0231_EN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/alexander-lukashenko-belarus-hockey-sports-europe-latvia-0d3295222196f2b1927aabfaa5670e19 |title=Skoda to withdraw sponsorship if Belarus hosts hockey worlds |date=16 January 2020 |website=APNews |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116170824/https://apnews.com/article/alexander-lukashenko-belarus-hockey-sports-europe-latvia-0d3295222196f2b1927aabfaa5670e19 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ice-hockey-belarus-must-meet-specific-requirements-to-host-world-championship/a-56224501 |title=Ice Hockey: Belarus must meet 'specific requirements' to host World Championship |date=14 January 2021 |access-date=14 January 2021 |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114135826/https://www.dw.com/en/ice-hockey-belarus-must-meet-specific-requirements-to-host-world-championship/a-56224501 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion and beliefs===
Lukashenko describes himself as an "[[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[Christian atheism|atheist]]"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8021513.stm |title=Belarus president visits Vatican |work=BBC News |access-date=26 June 2010 |date=27 April 2009 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502200846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8021513.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and has said that he believes that a president should be a conservative person and avoid using modern electronic technology such as a [[Tablet computer|tablet]] or [[smartphone]].<ref>[http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2013/857691.shtml Д.Медведев объяснил, почему заменил iPad блокнотом] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007132032/http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2013/857691.shtml |date=7 October 2014}}. rbc.ru. 15 May 2013.</ref> He used to play the [[Bayan (accordion)|bayan]], a musical instrument similar to an accordion.<ref name="bayanfootball">[http://www.km.ru/world/2013/01/15/aleksandr-lukashenko/701536-aleksandr-lukashenko-razuchilsya-igrat-na-bayane Александр Лукашенко разучился играть на баяне] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921070426/https://www.km.ru/world/2013/01/15/aleksandr-lukashenko/701536-aleksandr-lukashenko-razuchilsya-igrat-na-bayane |date=21 September 2020 }}. km.ru. 15 January 2013.</ref>