Belarus's Lukashenka Buys Secondhand Plane 'To Save' Money

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka at the Collective Security Treaty Organization summit in Moscow on December 19.

Belarus's authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says he lives in an old residence and has bought a plane second-hand from Turkmenistan in order to save money.

He told reporters in Minsk "It is pointless to try to make a show of reproaching me for alleged ownership of luxurious residences or airplanes with golden curtains."

He added, "Let me tell you once again -- there really is a toilet and a shower onboard [my] airplane but no curtains."

Lukashenka's comments came during a five-hour press conference during which he often rambled.

Lukashenka, who has been in power since 1994, also said he would remain president as long as Belarusians cast their votes for him.

The European Union and the United States have imposed sanctions on Lukashenka's regime over its crackdown on the opposition.

Based on reporting by Interfax, Telegraf.by