Birthday present

Putin honors Lukashenko for partnership

Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin has awarded Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko the Order of St. Andrew - for his services to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Russia's highest honor was awarded on Lukashenko's 70th birthday. He is an important ally of Putin in the war against Ukraine. Lukashenko is making parts of his territory available for the invasion, and the arms industry in Belarus is also working at full speed.

Putin has now praised the neighboring ruler as a "wise politician" who makes far-sighted decisions in difficult situations. The Belarusian opposition in exile, on the other hand, accuses Lukashenko of serious human rights violations such as the torture of political prisoners in the country's penal camps. He recently released dozens of political prisoners and also pardoned a German who had been sentenced to death for espionage.

In power for decades
Lukashenko is regarded as the "last dictator of Europe" and is the only one on the continent who still carries out the death penalty. In June, he celebrated his 30th anniversary in power. He is expected to run for president again next year.