Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko revealed he ‘often argues’ with Russian President Vladimir Putin over who is the bigger dictator.

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus, one of Russia’s neighbouring countries, since 1994, with questions raised over alleged rigged elections.

Meanwhile, Putin has been in charge of Russia since 2012, having previously served as president from 2000 to 2008.

He was also the country’s prime minister from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012, serving under President Dmitry Medvedev.

Lukashenko was speaking at a youth forum earlier this month when he made the remark about Putin, according to Novaya Gazeta.

He said: ‘They say I’m the last dictator, the last dictator in Europe. Dictator — so be it. Well, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and I often argue, jokingly, about which of us is the bigger dictator.’

Despite this, the Belarusian leader has repeatedly said he has had enough of power and wants to step down but doesn’t believe anyone else is ready to take over.

‘The only question is whether you’re able today to take the country and hold on to it,’ he said at the Youth. Belarus. Future forum in Minsk. ‘If you are, get to work tomorrow. To be honest, I can’t yet say that you are.’

According to independent outlet Zerkalo, he has claimed at least 20 times over the past six years that he is ‘sick’ of the presidency.

Lukashenko claimed he ‘became a dictator’ when he ‘stood up against the entire “civilised world”‘ over Belarus’ nuclear weapons.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, he refused to support the removal of nuclear weapons or the destruction of the country’s weapons stockpile.

He has also noted that his views on Ukraine and the construction of a nuclear power plant have added to the label.

While at the talk, Lukashenko claimed efforts to distance Belarus’ relationship with Russia could have ended badly.

Referencing the 2020 election, which resulted in mass protests, he said: ‘If it had succeeded, we would have had what is happening in Ukraine now.’

The EU currently has sanctions in force on Belarus until February 2027, with Lithuania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, advocating for them to continue.

‘We do not see ​any reasons why our position on Belarus should soften as Belarus is not changing its ​behaviour,’ he told Reuters.

‘On our side, we have to be very exact and continue what works, and that is the pressure on the regime.’

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