Belarus: the country is preparing for the official visit of Vladimir Putin
President Lukashenko (left) and his Russian counterpart, Putin.
In the current context, it is a question of consolidating an alliance that is more crucial than ever (photo illustration).
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1 min
In Belarus, the Independence Palace is preparing for Vladimir Putin's official visit to his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on December 19.
In the current context, it is a matter of consolidating an alliance that is more crucial than ever.
Including for Moscow, which could well rely on greater support from Minsk.
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From our correspondent in Moscow,
Julian Colling
It has been three and a half years since the Russian president, who has been very stingy with travel since the arrival of Covid-19, has not visited Belarus.
On the menu, discussions of an economic order above all;
Alexander Lukashenko wishing “
the adoption of urgent measures for financial stability
”.
We know that the Belarusian regime is fond of the loans that Russia regularly grants it.
"
Integration
"
But the question of "
integration
" will also be addressed, ie the growing absorption of Belarus into the system of the Russian Federation.
A horizon ardently desired for years by Vladimir Putin, faced with a Lukashenko weakened by the very strong protest of the summer of 2020 in the country.
Integration is for the moment mainly economic.
But
what
about greater military integration, when the “
surrounding security
” situation will also be on the agenda, according to the Kremlin?
Participation
In the Western and Ukrainian camps, there are fears that Putin will actually come to Minsk to put pressure on Lukashenko, for a more active participation of Belarus in the conflict.
For the Ukrainian general staff, a new vast offensive towards kyiv would even be to be feared in the heart of winter 2023. Belarusian territory could be the launching pad, as on February 24.
In recent days several independent monitoring channels have already reported the arrival of dozens of new Russian units in Belarus.
►Also read
: Belarus: arrival of the first Russian soldiers of the new common "military group"
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Belarus
Russia
Vladimir Poutine
Alexander Lukashenko
Defense
Economy
Ukraine
