Minsk and Kyiv are balancing between “zrada” and “overcome”
Both Ukraine and Belarus are interested in mutually beneficial economic cooperation, but nevertheless, there are many political contradictions between them, which become the cause of regular scandals.
Izvestia writes about this in an article devoted to Belarusian-Ukrainian relations.
It is noted that in general, relations between the two countries are extremely ambiguous, despite the strengthening of economic ties in recent years and the growth of trade turnover.
It is indicated that there is interaction between the countries in the military-technical sphere.
“In Belarus they call this flexible forms of delicate cooperation. Enterprises of the State Defense Industry of Belarus do not trade directly with Kiev. Minsk supplies materials from which weapons, military equipment or ammunition are produced locally, including at joint ventures. For example, sulfuric acid is used for both peaceful purposes and in the production of explosives. Its supplies to the neighboring country increased from 2013 thousand tons to 15,4 thousand in 48,3 compared to pre-war 2017. The supply of electric motors used to rotate the turret and (or) firing module on armored personnel carriers and tanks is constantly increasing,” the newspaper writes.
At the same time, political relations between the two countries are periodically marred by a series of scandals. For example, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin called Belarus dangerous for Ukrainians and expressed outrage that Minsk votes in unison with Russia at the UN.
In turn, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that Ukraine has become a breeding ground for illegal weapons that are penetrating into neighboring countries.
“If we speak in terms of the Maidan, then Minsk and Kyiv are balancing between “zrada” (betrayal) and “overcome” (victory). It is clear that both republics are interested in a peaceful neighborhood, but there are too many contradictions. The Ukrainian authorities profess extreme forms of nationalism, are at enmity with Russia and trace their ancestry back to the coup d'etat. Belarus denies nationalism, builds trusting relations with Moscow and consistently opposes revolutions. Political incompatibility makes itself felt, provoking constant scandals,” the newspaper summarizes.
Minsk and Kyiv balance between betrayal and victory.