内容摘要：But hours after the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on an early flight home from the UN - and any lingering hopes of diplomacy prevailing faded away.

But hours after the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on an early flight home from the UN - and any lingering hopes of diplomacy prevailing faded away.

There aren’t many world leaders who’ve been in power for 30 years.Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has been accused of stealing elections, crushing dissent and dismantling democracy.

The UK, the EU and the US do not recognise him as the legitimate president of Belarus.There’s something else you should know about him: if there’s any leader who knows Vladimir Putin inside out, it is Lukashenko. The two men have known each other for years and meet regularly.Alexander Lukashenko met me on the sidelines of the Brics summit of emerging economies. He wants Belarus to become a member.

I asked him to comment on“Rubbish,” Lukashenko replied. “Knowing his character Putin would never try to persuade another country to involve its army in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine.”

“And if the reports are confirmed?” I asked.

“It would be a step towards the escalation of the conflict if the armed forces of any country, even Belarus, were on the contact line,” replied Alexander Lukashenko.Orlik paints with incredible accuracy and tiny brush strokes, but has mastered different styles.

Marlborough art dealer and gallery owner Grant Ford has been working with Mr Pietruszka and organising the exhibitions.He said he could hardly believe what he was seeing when one of Orlik's works was first put in front of him.

"I've never come across an artist quite like this," he said. "As a specialist, I think his imagination is extraordinary."Mr Ford has three decades of experience at Sotheby's and can be seen as an expert on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.