Member of the House of Representatives Sergei Klishevich said on the air of Radio Minsk on May 27 that in Western states, unlike Belarus, there are no free school breakfasts. Therefore the West wants to destroy Belarus, he added:
“Our society is characterized by the concept of social parasitism. We need to talk about it constantly. About the fact that breakfasts in schools from grades 1 to 4 for children, which are paid for by the state, were not invented by God when he created our planet a thousand years ago, or however long ago that was. This is a social achievement of the state, which today needs not only to be appreciated but also protected. Because we are a thorn in the side of the Western world. One of the reasons why they want to destroy us is because their people, their people, the same Balts, Poles, and others, ask: 'Why don't we have this?'"
In Lithuania, free meals are provided for children in preparatory, 1st, and 2nd grades. Additionally, if a family's income falls below a certain threshold, older children in higher grades can also receive free meals.
The situation is similar in Latvia. Free meals are offered to students in grades 1–4, mirroring the system in Belarus. For older students, the provision of free meals is determined by the local government. Wealthier cities cover the full cost of meals for all students, while less affluent cities subsidize a portion of the cost, with the remaining amount paid by parents.
In Estonia the situation is similar. In the capital Tallinn, all schoolchildren are provided with free meals. However, in Estonian cities with tighter budgets, parents are required to pay part of the cost of meals.
In Scotland, free lunches are provided to children from 1 to 5 grades. In Sweden — to all children from 6 to 16 years old, and often up to 19 years old. Finland goes even further by providing free meals to all schoolchildren, regardless of their age or family income.
In the rest of Europe, governments usually fund meals for certain social categories of children.
