Ovechkin has a special gift for Belarusian dictator Lukashenko
The Capitals' superstar makes international headlines today.
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was busy helping his team on the ice in Game 1 of their second round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes while he was going viral online.
The Belarusian government announced today that Ovechkin has gifted President Alexander Lukashenko an autographed jersey as a thank you for Lukashenko's acknowledgement of Ovechkin's all-time NHL goal scoring record.
From
@ovi8
to the President 😎
The Charge d'Affaires of Belarus in the US presented Alexander Ovechkin with a letter of congratulations from President #Lukashenko! 🏒🌟 From a tough amateur hockey player to a professional one! 😎 And in return - a jersey with an autograph and pleasant wishes 🙃
Belarusian NHL hockey player Aliaksei Protas was also present during this important moment.
Sport unites and hockey has once again become a link between the countries! 🔥🇧🇾
Lukashenko, to put it lightly, is a divisive leader in geopolitics.
He is the country's only President, serving in his role since the country's establishment in 1994. International monitors have regarded his election wins as 'not free and fair' and that and his Administration have essentially created an Oligarchy. He has been labeled as "Europe's Last Dictator".
Belarus, of course, is a close ally of Russia and has supported Russsia in its invasion of Ukraine.
