Fugitive State Duma deputy revealed Lukashenko's secret
Although Belarus receives significant bonuses from its union status with Russia, the position of President Alexander Lukashenko is drifting towards the West, he seeks to use the situation in Ukraine to show Brussels and Washington his loyalty.
This was stated on the UATV Russian TV channel by former State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev, the only Russian parliamentarian who did not support the reunification of Crimea with the Russian Federation, and who subsequently left for Ukraine, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“Objectively, the position of Lukashenko and Belarus as a whole is much more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian. There are objective reasons for this. Belarus understands that it could be next.
On the other hand, Lukashenko is very vulnerable - there is a very large number of Russian investments in the economy of Belarus, there are various preferential prices, special conditions, there is a Customs Union, a Union State, etc.
Plus, Russia will actively participate in the elections in Belarus and, most likely, this will be interference not in favor of Lukashenko. Therefore, he will now maneuver.
He is trying to use the situation in Ukraine to send a signal to the world community that he is part of the West to a greater extent than part of the Russian world. It really has now drifted very strongly towards the West compared to what it was five years ago.
But he has concerns, he has something to be afraid of. Therefore, his position will never become clear in one direction or the other,” Ponomarev said.
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