Belarusian leader Oleksandr Lukashenko, Russia’s main ally, released a video on Wednesday of him (mockingly) chopping firewood to help Europe “not freeze” next winter, Agerpres reports, citing France Presse.

Lukashenko films how he cuts logs to help Europe, which is “dying from the cold”Photo: Twitter video

This irony comes at a time when European countries, faced with exploding gas and electricity prices due to the conflict in Ukraine, are expecting shortages and asking their citizens for energy “sobriety”, AFP notes.

This video, broadcast on national television, shows Lukashenko armed with an ax standing in front of a pile of freshly cut logs.

“We will not let Europe die from the cold,” says the Belarusian leader, laughing. “We will help our brothers. Maybe someday they’ll help us too,” he adds, before splitting the log with a powerful blow of his ax.

“Europe cannot do whims at the moment. Spruce or birch, it is important that they are warm,” continued Lukashenko.

This performance by the Belarusian leader, who is used to unusual public appearances, comes at a time when relations between European countries and Minsk, an ally of Moscow, are extremely tense.

Belarus, located on the border with Ukraine, gave Moscow its territory to attack Ukraine.

As part of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia, a major supplier of hydrocarbons to Europe, has sharply cut gas supplies, raising fears of shortages and price spikes.

This inflation of energy prices is raising fears of a serious energy crisis in Europe this winter, prompting European governments to ask people and companies to cut consumption.

  • Read also: Energy crisis. EU countries must reduce consumption by 5% during peak hours / Full list of measures proposed by the European Commission to combat winter bills

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