“Thank God They’re Going”
Lukashenko celebrates McDonald’s departure from Belarus
11/18/2022, 5:21 p.m
McDonald’s has already withdrawn from Russia, and the fast-food giant is now leaving Belarus. A reason to celebrate for ruler Lukashenko: his country can prepare burgers much better anyway.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has welcomed the withdrawal of McDonald’s from his country and made fun of the US fast food chain. “Thank God they’re going,” he said at a meeting with farm workers. “We too can cut rolls in half and put a piece of meat, fries and salad in it” – “even better if we have to”.
As of next Tuesday, McDonald’s in Belarus will be replaced by the Russian chain “Lecker.Punkt” owned by businessman Alexander Govor. He has already taken over the US company’s 850 branches in Russia. Fast food with Russian names has been sold there since mid-June.
Gowor has been a McDonald’s license partner since 2015 and previously operated 25 branches in Siberia. McDonald’s closed its stores in Russia on February 24 when the Russian military offensive in Ukraine began. Belarus is a close ally of Russia.