Lukashenko's pooch provokes diplomatic stir in UAE visit
The visit of Alexander Lukashenko to the UAE with his dog Umka has sparked criticism from experts as a diplomatic faux pas. However, such blunders also occur with more seasoned politicians.
Alexander Lukashenko travelled to the United Arab Emirates on December 17th with a white Spitz named Umka. This was met with significant criticism. Experts considered it a diplomatic blunder because, in Islam, a dog is considered unclean. This is not the first time Lukashenko has traveled with Umka—the dog also accompanied him during meetings with Vladimir Putin and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Many European leaders have committed faux pas during official visits, often due to a lack of knowledge or familiarity with Islamic customs or other cultures. Examples include embracing the wives of Asian heads of state. Many politicians and diplomats forget that in Eastern countries, it is unacceptable for a stranger to touch a woman.
Diplomatic blunders are not rare among world leaders. For example, in 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush unexpectedly massaged German Chancellor Angela Merkel's shoulders during the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, later explaining it as friendliness. Another example is the 1992 incident when U.S. President George Bush Sr. vomited on Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa during an official dinner. Not only actions but also words can lead to diplomatic blunders.
In 2013, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, unaware of a live microphone, insulted Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, calling her an "old witch." He recalled how Kirchner gifted Pope Francis a yerba mate brewing set to cover up the blunder, forgetting he was Argentinian.
Blunders not only at higher but also lower levels
Not only heads of state make mistakes. There was an incident during the presidency of Barack Obama. During this time, during behind-the-scenes talks, a diplomat from the Visegrad Group expressed a controversial opinion about the Civil War, which got him in trouble.
In private conversations concerning the president's birthplace, he voiced the view that the Civil War's outcome had favored the wrong side. This perspective led to his ostracization within the diplomatic community of the country where he was stationed, according to a diplomat's account.
