Peskov's Response to Lukashenko: Why Putin Has Not Fulfilled His Promise

Russian President Vladimir Putin does not have the right to bestow ranks in the armed forces of another country, said Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, responding to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's statement that Putin promised to grant him the rank of colonel, which has yet to occur.

“Vladimir Putin is the President of the Russian Federation, while Alexander Lukashenko is the President of Belarus and a citizen; these are two different countries. The President of the Russian Federation does not have the right to award military ranks in the armed forces of another state,” said Peskov.

Earlier, television host Vladimir Solovyov inquired about Lukashenko's military rank and “what's on his epaulettes.” The Belarusian leader responded that he holds the rank of lieutenant colonel and that there is an insignia on his epaulettes. “I cannot hang the star of a generalissimo or general. Putin is a colonel; he promised to give me the rank of colonel, but he has not yet awarded it,” Lukashenko recounted.