Expert on Russia’s statement: Lukashenka needs no additional signals
The statement about the Eastern Partnership made by the Russian MFA may not affect Belarus’ plans, political scientist Yauhen Preiherman believes.
Official representative of the Russian MFA Alexander Lukashevich commented on the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga on April 24. Belarus may take part in the summit too. The Russian official spoke about ‘harsh and principal reaction’ to the summit that is ‘clearly directed against Russia’. What can these words mean?
Russia is keeping a close eye on the Eastern politics developed by the European Union, political scientist Yauhen Preherman told Euroradio. Russia officially claimed that Moscow did not care about it but it is evidently not true. Moscow claimed that the programme was not ‘serious’ but Russia does care about it, the expert noted.
The political scientist considers Lukashevich’s statement to be Russia’s official position – Moscow considers the Eastern Partnership as the EU’s geopolitical advancement to the east. At the same time, Lukashevich’s statement is not a signal to the Belarusian authorities to ignore the summit in Riga, Preiherman thinks.
Preiherman: “The closest allies including Belarus and Alyaksandr Lukashenka know their eastern ally better than anyone else in the world. They do not need additional signals. That is why I do not think that the statement may affect Mink’s plans of participation in the summit.”
It is still not clear whether the Belarusian President will represent Belarus at the summit in Riga on May 21-22.
“He has not been officially invited yet, the Belarusian MFA reports. However, this very statement is unlikely to affect the decision,” the political scientist stressed.
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