Photos from St. Petersburg show Putin and Lukashenka without makeup
TV channels and press services of dictatorial regimes filter not only photos but also videos before publication. Therefore, every event like the summit in St. Petersburg is also an opportunity for photojournalists to capture the real state and emotions on the faces of Alexander Lukashenka and Vladimir Putin.

Alexander Lukashenka, December 21, 2025. Photo: Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
The informal summit of CIS heads of state, to which the Russian leader brings presidents and prime ministers of former USSR countries, was no exception. Although only photographers from official Russian media had access to the bodies, these are still unretouched photographs.

Vladimir Putin, December 21, 2025. Photo: Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Alexander Lukashenka, December 21, 2025. Photo: Sergey Bulkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
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