(Moscow) Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Russia’s main ally, released a video on Wednesday in which he appears, mockingly, chopping wood to help Europe not “freeze to death” this winter.
Posted at 2:48 p.m.
This spade comes at a time when European countries, faced with an explosion in gas and electricity prices because of the conflict in Ukraine, fear shortages and call on their inhabitants to energy “sobriety”.
In this video broadcast by national television, Mr. Lukashenko is seen with an ax in front of a pile of freshly cut logs.
“We will not let them freeze to death in Europe,” says the Belarusian leader, hilarious. “We will help our brothers. Maybe they will help us one day too”, he adds, before splitting a log with a big blow of an axe.
“Europe cannot be choosy right now. Fir or birch, the important thing is that they are warm, ”continues Mr. Lukashenko.
This staging of the Belarusian leader, accustomed to staggered public appearances, comes as relations between European countries and Minsk, an ally of Moscow, are highly strained.
Bordering Ukraine, Belarus has notably made its territory available to Moscow to serve as a rear base for the offensive against Kyiv.
In the context of this conflict in Ukraine, Russia, a major supplier of hydrocarbons to Europe, has sharply reduced its gas deliveries, causing fears of shortages and a jump in prices.
This inflation in energy prices raises fears of a serious energy crisis this winter in Europe, prompting European governments to call on the population and businesses to reduce their consumption.