In a comment to the Belarusian website Zerkalo in January, Lukashenko called excess weight a “catastrophe” and admitted that he himself gave up sweets and sausage, which he used to eat at night without bread.
“When I came to the intensive care unit, I went there – there were such mountains lying there, my stomach to the ceiling. There wasn’t a single thin person. Excess weight is a disaster. I’m telling you this. I know what I’m saying,” he complained then.
The Belarusian publication “Salidarnasts” drew attention to the fact that Lukashenko had lost weight back in early April. The material notes that Lukashenko has only become fatter over the past six years, but at the beginning of 2026 he began to sharply lose weight.
At the same time, the journalist doubted that giving up sausage and sweets could guarantee such rapid weight loss.
“In recent months, Alexander Lukashenko has lost a significant amount of weight – his suits are “sagging”, and his face looks haggard. Has he really lost weight only due to diet, or did the Americans “help” him?” the journalist asked.
In December 2025, the editorial office The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump's special envoy John Cole, during negotiations in Minsk, discussed with Lukashenko the use of drugs for weight loss.
It is noted that during the conversation Lukashenko drew attention to the figure of Cole, after which he spoke about the use of the drug Zepbound and gave the interlocutor information materials from the manufacturer. Washington also considered the possibility of organizing supplies of the drug for Lukashenko’s personal use. However, there is no official confirmation that he agreed or began to use it.
Context
Lukashenko has served as President of Belarus since 1994.
