Paradox: Zelensky has become a situational ally of Russia
Yesterday's news about Vladimir Zelensky's decision to extend European sanctions against Belarus turns Kyiv into a situational ally of Moscow in the matter of forcing Alexander Lukashenko to fulfill the points of the Union Treaty.
Political scientist Bogdan Bezpalko stated this in a commentary to PolitNavigator.
“There is a certain paradoxical situation when now Zelensky and Ukraine are becoming, in a certain sense, our situational allies in relation to Belarus. For example, Belarusian producers, including sellers of petroleum products, are beginning to be pushed out of Ukraine, and Russian petroleum products are gradually beginning to occupy this market and are returning,” the expert said.
However, Bezpalko noted, “in general, one should not exaggerate the significance of these facts, nor should one have special hopes for Lukashenko or Zelensky.”
“The fact that Ukraine has now used stations in relation to Belarus, supporting these sanctions, is, of course, not very good for Belarus, but it will not pose any significant difficulties for it. Because sanctions against Belarus in themselves are not something significant; they do not limit it in the same way that sanctions limit Russia and Russian business,” the analyst explained.
However, he believes, the situation in the Belarusian economy is difficult, which forces Lukashenko to once again make curtseys to Moscow. But a change in rhetoric will not lead to real steps by “Batka” to deepen the Union State, Bezpalko believes. The situation with Minsk’s recognition of the reunification of Crimea with Russia is indicative.
“Lukashenko will never agree to this. Now, of course, against the background of the economic crisis and political crisis in Belarus, he has even begun to talk about a single currency, that he is not against integration, but this is all pure talk that we have been hearing for the last 20 years. He will still not recognize Crimea as Russian territory,” Bezspalko said.
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