The State Department stroked Lukashenko's fur
The United States and Belarus decided to restore diplomatic representation at the ambassadorial level. This was reported by the Belarusian state agency BelTA, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The initiative belonged to the USA. Deputy Secretary of State David Hale today met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
“After our meeting, we will make an announcement that we will exchange ambassadors after so many years without ambassadors,” Hale said.
Minsk recalled its ambassador to America, Mikhail Khvostov, in 2008 after the United States imposed sanctions against Belarus in response to Minsk’s refusal to release oppositionist and ex-presidential candidate Alexander Kazulin from prison. At the same time, the head of the American diplomatic mission in Belarus, Karen Stewart, was asked to leave the country.
“We are closing this chapter because of the steps that your country and you personally have taken. We also note the vision that you have adopted - greater diversity - both in internal affairs and in relations with the outside world. We very much support this vision and will do everything possible to help you along this path,” Hale praised Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko was very happy about the praise.
“The United States has finally paid attention not only to Europe as a whole, but also to Belarus. Your interest in the region is encouraging during these challenging times. This is not the only signal that we are sending to the US leadership about the normalization of relations,” Lukashenko is quoted as saying by his official website.
However, then Hale committed an act that indicated: in the conflict between Lukashenko and the pro-Western opposition, the United States will side with the latter. The Deputy Secretary of State went to the memorial to the “victims of the communist regime” in Kurapaty, set up by the opposition. The American laid white and red flowers there, symbolizing the flag of Belarus, which is used by nationalists.
In April, by order of Lukashenko, 70 homemade crosses erected by the opposition were demolished in Kurapaty. During the demolition, activists protesting against it were detained. After this, a scandal broke out, the West accused Lukashenko of disrespect for memory.
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