• news
• World news
• Europe

Putin smells blood, and pushes for reunification between Russia and Belarus again

The Russian president does not hide his vision for integration between his country and the former Soviet republic. After these moves were rejected by Lukashenko in recent years, the last election has left him in a defensive position and Putin is putting joint pressure on him.

• Russia
• Vladimir Putin
• Belarus
• Alexander Lukashenko

Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday (Tuesday) that he wants neighboring Belarus to restart the stuck plans for a larger interface between the countries. This follows the controversial presidential election, which left Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on the defensive following opposition protests that claimed forgeries and clashes between protesters and security forces.

Putin has been pushing for many years to tighten ties with Minsk under the auspices of a united state, but Lukashenko has rejected this idea to this day and accused Russia of wanting to swallow up its 9.5 million-strong country. Belarus serves as a central route to transfer Russian oil to the West, and Moscow sees it as a buffer zone effectively between it and NATO.

"Hopefully activity on the policies led to relations beneficial between Russia and Belarus in all areas, deepen cooperation within the State Union and strengthen the integration processes," wrote Putin In a telegram he sent to Lukashenko on the occasion of his victory, which is not recognized by the opposition and Western countries.

More on Walla! NEWS

• Belarusian dictator to protesters: "There will be no revolution"; Sanctions are being considered in Europe
• Killed and detained in clashes across Belarus after the dictator won the election
• Do not compromise on unsatisfactory sex life: this will improve performance

Putin said he hoped Belarus would choose to tighten military-political ties with Russia as part of a defense alliance to which the two countries belong. Lukashenko, a 65-year-old former head of Kolkhoz, has not yet responded to Putin's offer.

Lukashenko has been trying for years to maneuver between Russia and the West and China, getting closer or farther away from Russia from time to time. He recently came out against tightening ties with Russia, after it reduced the energy sector subsidy in the former Soviet republic. In a pre-election speech, the ruler of Belarus, known as Europe's last dictator, attacked Russia and said that Moscow had lowered the fraternity relations between the countries to the relations of partners only.

Last week he said the disputes with Russia over oil deprived his country of $ 700 million after the two countries failed to agree on an oil supply contract earlier this year. He also rejected Russia's calls for the opening of an air base on Belarusian soil, and last month accused a group of Russian mercenaries of coming to Belarus before the election to help advance a revolution. They have been arrested, and Russia rejects Lukashenko's claims and demands their release.

More on Walla! NEWS

Belarussian opposition leader flees: "I must be with my children"

To the full article

Putin is not the only one watching events in the neighboring country. Russia's opposition has said it is closely monitoring opposition activity in Belarus, and expects a similar scenario in the country as Putin faces a decision on whether to run in another 2024 election, as allowed by recent constitutional changes despite opposition from his opponents.