Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko (68) welcomed the withdrawal of McDonald’s from his country and mocked the American fast food chain. “Thank God they are going,” he said at a meeting with farm workers on Friday. “We can also cut sandwiches in half and put a piece of meat, fries and salad in it,” says Lukashenko. “Even better if it has to be.”
McDonald’s in Belarus will be replaced from next Tuesday by the Russian chain “Lecker.Punkt” owned by Siberian businessman Alexander Gowor (62). He has already taken over the 850 branches of the American company in Russia. Fast food with Russian names has been sold there since mid-June.
McDonald’s closed its stores in Russia on February 24 as the Russian military offensive in Ukraine began. Belarus is a close ally of Russia. (AFP)