Belarus leader's awkward fast-food kiosk demo exposes tech glitches and rare dining habits

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently visited a self-service kiosk at a fast-food outlet in Minsk. The demonstration, led by senior officials, aimed to showcase locally developed technology. However, the event included a few unexpected moments.

First Deputy Prime Minister Mikolai Snapkou and Viktoryia Danko, director of Mak.bay, guided Lukashenko through the kiosk's features. They explained that Belarusian specialists had created the software, not foreign developers. Lukashenko responded with approval, praising the team by saying, 'Well done, all eight of you!'

During the demonstration, Snapkou attempted to place an order using the touchscreen. His card was declined twice, producing error receipts and leaving the transaction unfinished. Despite the hiccup, Lukashenko joked about the system's simplicity, remarking, 'Tap with your finger—and you've paid.'

The president also shared that he had rarely visited ordinary restaurants in his life. He admitted to dining at Soviet-era eateries no more than three times in 71 years. Meanwhile, his guides briefly explained how McDonald's-style fast food worked, assuming he had little prior knowledge of such places.

The visit highlighted efforts to promote homegrown tech in Belarus. Officials emphasised the kiosk's local development, while Lukashenko's rare restaurant visits added a personal touch to the event. The demonstration, though not flawless, underscored the country's push for self-reliance in digital solutions.