Presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko signed a new security agreement in Minsk, further strengthening military cooperation. Leszek Šelepka, a diplomat and Polish ambassador to Belarus from 2011 to 2015, reminded that presidential elections will be held in Belarus on January 26.
– I would like to consider President Putin's visit in this context. The last election ended in massive social protests. Mr. Lukashenko remained in power for several reasons, one of which was Russian support, Polsat News diplomats said.
President Vladimir Putin arrived in Minsk. Alexander Lukashenko took advantage of the visit
As Sherepka points out, in 2020 the Belarusian dictator vowed never to run for office again. – He said that he could rely on children, as if trying to include them in it. Everyone believed this was the result of pressure from Russia, the former ambassador explains.
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“The fact that President Putin came to Minsk during the election period proves that Russia has changed its position and I am no longer opposed to Mr. Lukashenko's next term,” the diplomat added.
According to Sherepka, the Minsk visit was primarily requested by Belarus' leaders. – There is no doubt that Lukashenko's foreign policy is fully compatible with Russia's geopolitical interests. Nothing has changed here, experts stress.
He said it was “difficult to imagine” Belarus' government changing and someone other than Alexander Lukashenko assuming the presidency.
Alexander Lukashenko and Russian interests. “No threat.”
– Why does Russia so actively support Lukashenko? They assume that you will not change horses during the crossing. And for now, the place to cross is Ukraine, so there is no point in destabilizing the situation in Belarus. There is no telling what will happen to the attempt to remove Lukashenko from power. Shepka explains that he is part of Russia's interests and does not pose any threat.
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– The situation in Belarus is closely related to the situation in Russia. Any turmoil within Russia will automatically spread to Belarus, especially since Lukashenko has little support. It's all based on fear, diplomats point out.
Video: Leszek Sherepka talks about the upcoming elections in Belarus. “Everything is based on fear”
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Russia and Belarus are increasing cooperation
The Russian leader previously assured President Lukashenko that Russia could deploy the Oreshnik medium-range missile system to Belarus in the second half of 2025. Russia will therefore respond to the request of the Belarusian dictator who wants to have these weapons in his country.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, nuclear weapons were removed from Belarus, but in 2023 President Putin announced that Russia was deploying tactical nuclear missiles in Belarus as a deterrent to the West.
– When Russia has problems on the front lines, it eagerly resorts to the rhetoric of using nuclear weapons. The fact that this rhetoric has intensified proves that Russia wants to use the nuclear component of its military to force other countries to accept its actions in Ukraine, explains the former Polish ambassador. .
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