Lukashenko's propaganda team wasted no time posting a photo showing him in conversation with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló while Duda spoke. They even called it a "payback" for Duda’s earlier refusal to participate in a group photo with Lukashenko.
"During Duda's speech, he wasn't in the family photo…" the post's caption read.
"No hard feelings — if you’d rather have a quick chat with the President of Guinea-Bissau… three minutes will be worth it."
Lithuania and Latvia's Presidents also refused to join a “family photo” with Lukashenko at a similar climate summit. On Nov. 12, Duda again declined to appear in a group photo at COP-29, due to Lukashenko’s presence.
This was a the Polish president's conscious choice, sources close to Duda explained.