But Lukashenko just issued his most striking rebuke yet to Putin.
According to Belarusian state media, Lukashenko used a Friday factory visit to confirm that Putin is pushing hard for Belarus to become part of the Russian Federation. Only that course of action, Lukashenko says Putin told him at a meeting last week, can lead to Belarus receiving preferable energy export prices.
Yet the key point came when Lukashenko described his thoughts on Belarus becoming part of Russia. Referencing the factory workers assembled before him, the president noted: "You’re not anti-Russian people, but normal Belarusians, loving, respecting Russians. But put before you the question of whether you want such an association so that Belarus becomes part of Russia, 120% will say no."
Lukashenko continued, noting that even if his presidency ends, he will always "fight for our Belarus to remain sovereign and independent on this plot of land. This is not only for us; it is for our children. They still have to live in this country. The issue of independence is not only a good life."
The language here, of Lukashenko's personal "fight" for Belarus to remain a "sovereign and independent" nation, a "plot of land," is striking. It appeals to Belarusian nationalism by evoking images of a heroic struggle for soil that belongs only to the Belarusian people. It will thus infuriate Putin.
Still, it also shows us something else: Lukashenko isn't willing to yield to his more powerful neighbor. So in the context of Russian aggression toward its other neighbors, Ukraine and Georgia, what happens next will be rather important.
Bio on Lukashenko found here.