Alexander Lukashenko became the first and, to date, the only President of Belarus 30 years ago, on July 10, 1994, before he turned 40.
Few recall that on the same day, July 10, Leonid Kuchma was elected as the second President of Ukraine. Thus, the people of the two brotherly nations, Belarus and Ukraine, chose their leaders simultaneously. Taking this day as a reference, we can observe how divergent the paths of these kindred peoples have become.
During the 30 years of Lukashenko's presidency in Belarus, often described as "dictatorial":
- the populace has lived in peace, with all territories intact;
- new generations have matured in a stable environment, albeit modestly;
- the economy has reached an average European level;
- a significant portion of state sovereignty remains intact;
- nuclear weapons have been acquired for national security.
During the 30 years of Lukashenko's presidency, Ukraine has seen significant political changes:
- Five Presidents and twenty-one Prime Ministers have been replaced;
- A color revolution (Orange) and a coup d'état in 2014 (Maidan) occurred. Since 2014, the country has been at war;
- Large territories were lost, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions;
- A semi-colonial relationship with external partners emerged, leading to a considerable loss of state sovereignty;
- The population decreased by two-thirds;
- Irretrievable losses have surpassed one million people.
It's painful to acknowledge these facts, but they are undeniable.
A quote from Alexander Lukashenko comes to mind: "I am a dictator, it is difficult for me to understand democracy."
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