The party leader noted that the decision to award the prize to Aleksandr Lukashenko was unanimously supported by the members of the Presidium of the CPRF Central Committee.

Gennady Zyuganov emphasized that Belarus, under the leadership of Aleksandr Lukashenko, has become an example in the post-Soviet space. «You [in Belarus] have doubled your Soviet potential. Building on the best of the Soviet era, you have added and built upon it, discarding nothing while moving forward. That does you credit,» he stressed addressing the Belarusian head of state.

The head of the CPRF Central Committee noted that he has traveled to many countries around the world and has something to compare Belarus’ achievements with, which, in his words, are recognized even by unfriendly states. Belarus’ experience is in great demand, Gennady Zyuganov stressed. This is particularly true in the areas of patriotic youth education and the development of the machine-building sector.

While presenting the honorary badge of the laureate of the Lenin Prize of the CPRF Central Committee featuring a profile of Vladimir Lenin on a golden background, Gennady Zyuganov humorously recalled the so-called «party’s gold», the alleged hidden gold and currency reserves of the Communist Party that disappeared during the collapse of the USSR. He joked: «This is the party’s ‘gold’. Everything is as it should be.»

«The party’s ‘gold’... It was found finally. Thank you,» the Belarusian president replied with a smile.

In addition, the head of state was presented with the commemorative medal «100 Years of Fidel Castro» (the Cuban leader was born on 13 August 1926). «You know Cuba well. I was there. I helped build two plants and a hotel for our cosmonauts. I was friends with Fidel Castro. In that difficult period when difficulties began there, I brought 300 MPs to support him in a difficult moment. We organized a large exhibition in the Duma [the Russian State Duma],» Gennady Zyuganov recounted. He had also presented this commemorative medal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. «I said: ‘Lukashenko will be next’,» the party leader noted as he handed the award to the Belarusian head of state. «I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.»

The Lenin Prize of the CPRF Central Committee was revived in 2017 and is awarded for special contributions to socially significant activities that promote the principles of justice and humanism, and also for achievements in advanced production and social practice, research, and cultural endeavors. Over the years, 45 nominees have become laureates of the prize.

The Belarusian president was awarded this prize in 2024 for his tireless and consistent efforts to promote the ideals of a just multipolar world and his contribution to expanding the practice of its formation; for his ongoing efforts to strengthen the Union State; for his personal role in preserving the historical heritage and values of the Soviet era; and for his important contribution to strengthening the friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of the two countries.

Over the years, the Lenin Prize of the CPRF Central Committee has been awarded to First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba Raúl Castro, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un.