Is Lukashenko Hiding Another Mental Disorder?

The dictator developed a close relationship with alcohol.

The ruler of Belarus has created an image of a teetotaler, but there are many questions about it, writes udf.

The reason to return to the topic of Alexander Lukashenko's relationship with alcohol was given by the story of Deputy Special Envoy of the U.S. President Keith Kellogg John Cole. He said he had to drink vodka with the politician to secure the release of 14 political prisoners.

According to Politico, a bottle of vodka was placed on the table and the toasts began. Cole managed to drink two shots, while Lukashenko did not specify how much he drank.

Lukashenko has created an image of a teetotaler, but says he can drink

For years, the ruler of Belarus has spoken out sharply against people who drink and assures that he does not drink. Lukashenko has even claimed that he cannot tolerate alcohol because he allegedly lacks the enzyme that breaks down alcohol.

"I don't drink. No wine, no vodka. I can only have a little bit at some receptions," said the dictator.

But at the same time Lukashenko repeatedly said that he drinks from time to time.

"But I drink. In two cases. When we gather, the 'presidents'. You're not going to be a non-drinker there, let's say. So you have to have a little drink sometimes. And the second case - if you are in a women's group, you won't seem like a saint either," the politician said in 2021.

But there are other statements and facts that show that in reality Lukashenko's relationship with alcohol is closer than he tries to present it.

"Amazing story, but Lukashenko flew in drunk"

The late Russian politician Boris Nemtsov described a meeting with Lukashenko on March 31, 1997, when the Belarusian leader came to Moscow to sign a "union treaty" in his book of memoirs, "Confessions of a Rebel."

"I met him. Amazing story, but he flew in drunk. He saw me for the first time (I had only been in government for two weeks) and was excited. He offered me to play tennis," Nemtsov recalled.

Lukashenko had to drink a lot with Yeltsin. And with Nazarbayev, too

In general, in the 1990s, conditions were conducive to Lukashenko moving away from a sober lifestyle. During that period, he had many and close contacts with Russian President Boris Yeltsin, known, among other things, for his outright drunkenness.

"With Yeltsin I sometimes had to. You respect him - you don't respect him. Well, you do," the ruler of Belarus recalled coquettishly. It is hard to imagine that at that time both politicians could do with just a few drinks.

Lukashenko also admitted that he had to drink with other leaders.

"If Nazarbayev sat down and said: 'Sasha, a shot' - and what can I say that I will not drink?" recalled the leader of Belarus. - recalled the Belarusian leader.

Strong situations with Lukashenko's "disappearances"

There are no reliable facts to say that the dictator went on a bender yet. But during Lukashenko's reign there have been more than once and not twice situations when he "disappeared" from the public field for quite a long time and then appeared in bad shape.

For example, this was the case after the "presidential election" in the spring of 2006, which ended in protests. Then Lukashenko disappeared for almost two weeks. Even the inauguration scheduled for March 31 was postponed.

When it did take place, the Kommersant newspaper described Lukashenko as a pale, gloomy man - with pronounced bags under his eyes.

Alcohol Vacation in Georgia

Another example when things didn't go according to plan and Lukashenko failed to present himself as a teetotaler dates back to 2018. Then the ruler of Belarus flew on a visit to Georgia and the cameras of the local media recorded a lot of interesting things.

The Georgian authorities were very hospitable and Lukashenko did not dry out for several days. There was cognac, white wine and red wine.

The ruler of Belarus together with the then president of Georgia Georgiy Margvelashvili had a tasting at a cognac factory. Tomorrow Lukashenko and Prime Minister Georghe Kvirikashvili drank wine and something strong already during the "working lunch".

Lukashenko's role in the creation of vodka "President"

Receiving John Cole at the Palace of Independence, the participants of the meeting drank, by the way, vodka "President". The story of its creation hints that Lukashenko wished to get himself a special drink.

The vodka "President" from the Minsk-Crystal plant has been known since 2017. Lukashenko said that the alcoholic beverage is produced exclusively by his special order and can only be received as a gift.

Lukashenko even claimed that "there is no such vodka in the whole world." According to him, no matter how much you drink it, you don't get a headache the next morning.

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