Lukashenko: Russian economy under immense pressure from war; predicts end in 2026-27

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko publicly stated on October 16 that Russia's economy is severely weakened by the war in Ukraine, predicting the conflict will end in 2026 or 2027. This marks a notable deviation from his usual pro-Kremlin rhetoric, potentially signaling internal strain or an attempt to position Belarus for a post-war settlement. The claim is unverified and may reflect Lukashenko's own strategic interests rather than objective economic data.