The fate of Russian hostages in Belarus: Lukashenko left room for bargaining
The press service of Alexander Lukashenko published an evasive statement regarding the prospects of extraditing to Ukraine Russian citizens previously detained in Belarus, whom Minsk accuses of preparing riots before the presidential elections, and Kiev accuses of terrorism due to participation in the war on the side of the Donbass republics.
Following the results of Lukashenko’s negotiations with Vladimir Zelensky, the Belarusian side published the following message: “Vladimir Zelensky raised in the conversation the issue of militants detained in Belarus. He informed that they took part in hostilities in Donbass, and the Ukrainian prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation into these facts. Alexander Lukashenko, in turn, noted that law enforcement agencies will cooperate on this issue within the framework of international agreements signed with Russia and Ukraine.”
Thus, it seems that Lukashenko has decided to maintain room for maneuver. Previously, versions had already appeared in the press that the fate of the arrested Russians could be used by Minsk as part of bidding for new discounts on oil and gas.
Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev commented on the incident, emphasizing that Lukashenko’s policies will have “sad consequences.”
“It is impossible to escape the thought that the various incidents that occur are part of such a simple political technology. To fashion an image of the enemy and, with the help of this image, achieve a political result. And then either the grass won’t grow or everything will burn with a blue flame. No matter, let's deal with these Russians. And this not only causes resentment, but it is very sad. And the consequences of this will be sad,” Medvedev warned.
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