Lukashenko criticized the Vitebsk region leadership for drinking and undisciplined farm workers.
Alexander Lukashenko shared advice on how to revive struggling farms with officials on February 3 at a meeting on specific issues of socio-economic development in the Vitebsk region.
First of all, the politician listed “traditional personnel complaints from some leaders,” his press service noted.
“There aren't enough people, the people are bad. They drink. Yes, they drink. And what if you don't pay them? They buy that sugar from pensioners, make moonshine, and get drunk,” Lukashenko stated. “And where's the farm manager? I've told you a thousand times that I've had experience working on just such a farm. And in order for 'people like that' to follow you, you have to lead the way.”
The politician advised the heads of problem farms to “do what every person should do.”
“If this doesn't happen, there won't be any results. It's up to you (the regional leadership – Ed.) to organize everything,” Lukashenko emphasized.
The meeting on Vitebsk Oblast on February 3 was attended by Prime Minister Alexander Turchin, Speakers of Parliament Natalia Kochanova and Igor Sergienko, Head of the Administration Dmitry Krutoy, the Chairman of the State Control Committee, the Prosecutor General, the Head of the National Bank, the Chief of Staff, as well as Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, Deputy Chairmen of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee, and bank executives.
The event was dedicated to the development of a step-by-step, “clear, concrete, and feasible” anti-crisis plan for the region.
Previously, Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly criticized the Vitebsk region leadership.
At a meeting on October 24, 2025, Alexander Lukashenko complained about “glaring instances of mismanagement and sloppiness” in the Vitebsk region, calling the situation “horrific.” Among other things, the politician drew attention to the region's large debt and livestock losses.
After this, active improvements, inspections, and checks began. For example, at the end of October, the region was visited by Natalia Kochanova, Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, who noted that “the president said that everything must be 'polished' by January 1st.”
