Why Lukashenko considers St. Petersburg his city

"What could be compared to the suffering of Leningrad [during the siege at the Great Patriotic War]? Only the suffering of Belarus. That’s why we have this affinity with the people of Leningrad. I always bow my head before them. After the war, many specialists and scientists from Leningrad came to us to help rebuild Belarus. That’s why, when I visit Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), I feel that it is my city too. Belarus and Leningrad have a lot in common, including the experience during the years of that terrible invasion, terrible war. Very similar experience," the head of state said.

"People were dying horrible deaths there. The same happened in Belarus. Belarus suffered the most. This was acknowledged by the Soviet leadership and Stalin. He did a lot to rebuild Minsk and help Belarus," the president noted. "People pay attention that our buildings were constructed in the Stalinist Empire style. No wonder. Stalin acted wisely: he made German prisoners of war rebuild everything. Eyewitnesses said the Germans did it very conscientiously and felt guilty. After they completed a certain amount of work, Stalin sent them home."