Rostislav Ishchenko: What is behind Lukashenko’s refusal to recognize Crimea
The Belarusian authorities have been trying to drift to the West for about 10 years, but the Belarusian economy is critically dependent on Russia. However, even the refusal to recognize the reunification of Crimea with the Russian Federation can be considered a demonstrative step by Minsk that speaks volumes.
Political scientist Rostislav Ishchenko stated this in a commentary to PolitNavigator, commenting on the results of yesterday’s negotiations in Sochi, where Alexander Lukashenko failed to get a discount on oil.
“It was not possible to reach an agreement because the positions of the parties are diametrically opposed. Russia offers to purchase oil on the same terms on which Russian enterprises purchase it. And Belarus wants to buy oil cheaper. This is impossible, because then Russian enterprises will be placed by the Russian government in conditions of unequal competition compared to Belarusian ones. Therefore, it is impossible to satisfy the wishes of Minsk,” Ishchenko said.
According to the expert, the Belarusian economy remains critically dependent on Russia, which does not allow official Minsk to make a sharp turn to the West.
“The economy of Belarus cannot turn towards the United States, because there are no sales markets for it there. A political turn towards the West has been taking place in Belarus for ten years now. But it is economically tied to Russia, so there are no sudden movements there. However, even Lukashenko’s refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian is also a demonstration of such a policy,” Ishchenko concluded.
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