Alexander Lukashenko

“It took centuries to form the German order.”

“Dictators don't come from elections.”

“Unlike in the U.K. or France or America, we've never used water cannon for mass riots dispersal.”

“From my point of view, this is the best time of the year. I don't love heat. I'm a winter guy.”

“The sanctions which the West introduced against Russia seriously affect us.”

“We are a peace-loving people.”

“I ask myself what is a dictator? I don't understand. It is some kind of terrible person, a bad person. But I am not frightening. I am not a bad person at all.”

“A president has - and I had it even before I became president - a very special relationship with the people, a connection based on feelings.”

“I believe it is important for both Russia and Europe that Belarus is a sovereign, independent state where Europeans can feel at home.”

“As soon as people decline my services, I'll put my briefcase under my arm, and I'll be off.”

“American envoys came to see me before the crisis in Iraq and asked me to say that there were nuclear weapons in Iraq. I refused. They even told me that things would go well for Belarus in terms of investments, etc. All I had to do was to support them. I told them that I couldn't do it because I knew that there were no nuclear weapons there.”

“I'm an advocate of evolutionary, not revolutionary, changes.”

“There is no scope for revolutions coming to Belarus.”

“The history of Germany is a mold for the history of Belarus.”

“We cannot allow any uncontrolled situation and destabilization in the country.”

“We will remain independent for as long as our economy develops as needed. We won't be able to maintain our independence if we ruin the economy.”

“People call me an anti-reformer. That's absolutely stupid.”

“We have to destroy stereotypes in people's minds that Belarus can be isolated or taught a lesson.”

“I am for a single and unified Ukraine.”

“As president, I'm not supposed to play games or show my hand, because there's a lot going on behind the scenes that you don't see or hear and don't need to know.”