"It is very hard for us now, and we turned to the Americans for help. However, they were in no hurry to help us, and it's a pity. But I turned to them for assistance, but they took too long. I think $5 million is not a problem for them," Lukashenko said in an interview published on Friday.

"Relations could improve considerably. And it's not for free. We would return the money," he said.

The controversial leader said the U.S. had supported a request by Belarus to the IMF for a $2 billion loan.

"We have to give the Americans their due - they supported us with the IMF. The Europeans and Americans backed us, and I am very grateful to them for that," he said.

Relations with the West began to thaw after Belarus freed its remaining political prisoners and invited the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to observe September's parliamentary elections.