Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Aliaksandr Lukashenka on his birthday. The text of the congratulatory message was published on the Kremlin’s website. Just a day earlier, they met at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow.
Putin said that Lukashenka had for many years contributed to Belarus’ socioeconomic development and the protection of its interests on the international stage. He also noted Lukashenka’s contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries and developing the institutions of the Union State.
“I value the mutual understanding and trust that have developed between us,” the congratulatory message said.
Putin expressed confidence that they would continue their “friendly communication” and joint work to develop Russian-Belarusian cooperation and advance integration processes in the Eurasian space.
He wished Lukashenka health, happiness, prosperity and success in his public service.
Aliaksandr Lukashenka turned 72 on August 30.
In 2009, Lukashenka unexpectedly said in an interview that he had been born on August 31 — the same day as his youngest son, Mikalai: “He is five today, and I am already 55. He and I were born on the same day, August 31.”
Mikalai Lukashenka was indeed born on August 31, 2004. In 2010, the date of birth of Lukashenka himself was even changed on his official website from August 30 to August 31.
Lukashenka’s administration at the time explained the discrepancy as a registration error: his mother had allegedly gone to the maternity hospital on the evening of August 30 and given birth after midnight, but the child was registered with the date of admission — August 30.
The confusion was particularly evident in 2010: some politicians congratulated Lukashenka on August 30, while official birthday events were held on both August 30 and 31. When registering as a presidential candidate that same year, however, Lukashenka again gave his passport date — August 30, 1954.
Official sources later returned to August 30. This is the date currently given in his biography.