Lukashenko's Soft Spot: Belarus Leader's Bond with Fluffy Spitz

The Belarusian dictator often brings a fluffy dog on his foreign visits. For the past four years, a miniature white Spitz has been softening Lukashenko's image and accompanying him on business trips. "It is the only being that truly loves him," commented those close to the dictator.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko is known for his love of animals. He breeds cows, special breeds of chickens imported from China, ostriches, and other birds at his residence.

However, his greatest weakness is for dogs. Lukashenko has several, but he holds the greatest affection for a pedigree miniature Spitz with snow-white fur.

The Biełsat portal detailed the career of the President of Belarus's pet. The unassuming little dog has been a guest at the tables of presidents of various countries, as well as visiting theaters and stadiums.

It is also seen at meetings in theaters or stadiums. During diplomatic visits, it often dozes off by the side of its master or is carried in a stroller.

This connection to the dog has a childlike quality. The President of Belarus affectionately calls it "little one," a term that, as observed by those around Lukashenko, the dictator previously used for his youngest son.

Why does the pro-Russian politician treat the dog as he would a son? Iryna Sidorskaja, a media researcher, explains in a conversation with Biełsat:

"The fact that Lukashenko previously took Mikalai everywhere is very easy to explain – children make the image of a politician more human, acceptable to a larger number of people. But Kola grew up, he is an adult now, and perhaps, he doesn’t want to serve a representational function for his father anymore."

Despite the price the dictator had to pay for his pet being impressive—dogs of this breed cost around $1,750—the reflection the expert concludes her statement with for Biełsat is sad:

"Such is the fate of dictators: on one hand, you can do whatever you want, on the other hand, you become a completely lonely person, with no one close to you except for a dog."