President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called on Moscow to recall the joint responsibilities for the construction of the Union State. Thus, he wants to solve difficult economic issues and earn political points, experts say.. Meanwhile, Minsk is to blame for the cooling of Russian-Belarus relations.
Father complained about the deterioration of relations between countries in an interview with the TV channel "Russia 24". "We have a large debt to society under the treaty on the Union State. We lost a lot on many fronts. But the worst part is that we allow kickbacks on some issues, "he said, quoting the" Free Press ".
Lukashenka was outraged that Russia restored border control between the countries, and also tightened the rules for the import of Belarusian goods. In Moscow, these steps were explained by the fact that Minsk unilaterally allowed citizens of dozens of foreign countries to enter not the territory of the country without obtaining a visa. This led to an increase in the flow of illegal immigrants to Russia, including citizens of Ukraine and Syria. At the same time, Minsk does not take measures to stop the illegal import of sanctions goods from Europe to Russia via Belarus.
Experts believe that Lukashenka remembered the Union State right now, because he is trying to reduce the tension between Moscow and Minsk with the help of "fraternal" rhetoric. According to the expert on the problems of Russian-Belarusian relations, employee of the Higher School of Economics Dmitry Bolkunts, the cause of Lukashenka's displeasure with the actions of Russia should be sought in Minsk itself.
"Russia has introduced counter-attacks against certain groups of goods from the EU. But Belarus took the opportunity and began to transport these goods through its territory. The same thing is happening today with Turkish tomatoes, and with Ukrainian products, which will enter the Russian market through Belarus. Russia is trying to close the border, but for Alexander Lukashenko and his entourage this is something like a family business, "- believes the expert.
In his opinion, "such things happen only with the sanction and approval of the top leadership of the republic," although the authorities of Belarus assure that they have nothing to do with this. "Russia is trying to close these niches, and this leads to the fact that the Belarusian elites are deprived of a part of their income," Bolkunets added..
Belarusians are also to blame for restoring the border between the two countries: Russia has long suggested that they introduce a common visa policy within the framework of the Union State, but Minsk has always refused. Hardly Lukashenko is ready to compromise and now. Demanding to put Belarusian goods on the domestic market, the authorities of the neighboring republic do not open their market for Russian business. As a result, due to lack of competition, the Belarusian consumers themselves suffer, who are forced to go shopping in Lithuania and Poland.
"If Lukashenka allowed Russian business to enter the Belarusian market, the situation would improve. But this does not happen. So when Lukashenko speaks about equal rights of citizens, I would like to remind you that they must be respected by both sides, "concluded the HSE officer.
Director of the Center for Crisis Society Studies Maxim Vilisov is sure that the statements of the Belarusian president on the Union State are populism, and not real intentions.
"This is a project that today in political terms meets the interests of Lukashenko, so it is natural that he appeals to him. It seems to me that the long-term and fateful consequences after these statements should not be expected. Any next step in this direction is restrictions on the sovereignty of its participants. I do not think that Alexander Grigoryevich is ready for this. He is ready to take a leading position in this design. But on other terms he does not agree to really create a Union State, "the expert believes..
According to Vilisov, such rhetoric is aimed at Belarusian citizens who positively regard Russia and stand for a single state, as well as for that part of Russian experts and politicians who also support the Russian-Belarusian project and specifically Lukashenko.
"This is a public policy. From the point of view of his voter - this is populism.
And from the point of view of the addressees of his words in the Russian political establishment - the shaking once again by this symbol of the Union State with a reminder of the possibility of this symbol to bury. From a symbolic point of view, this would be a serious blow to Russian politics, because we do not have many allies. Any conflict with Minsk will deal a big blow to Russian policy in general. The Belarusian authorities understand this and use this fact in their own interests, "the expert noted..