So hollow is the election that the unrivaled contender, dictator Alexander Lukashenko, 70, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for nearly 31 years, said he was “too busy” to even campaign.

Lukashenko may be in power in Minsk, but after 2020, it's really Putin calling most of the shots. HUANG: And Charles, like, what is the view of the U.S. and other Western countries on all of this?

On social media, Lukashenko’s framing was treated with humor. Russian-language Twitter even has a meme of a smiling Lukashenko holding a phone and the words: “Better call Lukashenko.” ...

After the election, Komissarenko often joked about Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, in his routines. Komissarenko is considered the main populariser of the Chik Chirik ...

For nearly a week, the whereabouts of Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko have been a mystery. The 68-year-old was seen at a May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Squa… ...

For nearly a week, the whereabouts of Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko have been a mystery. The 68-year-old was seen at a May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square ...