Does Moscow need to get rid of anti-Russian Lukashenko – expert’s answer
Despite the fact that Alexander Lukashenko got rid of all truly pro-Russian politicians in his circle, Russia cannot openly intervene in what is happening and stage a coup in Belarus, because such a step would jeopardize relations with other allies.
Political scientist Rostislav Ishchenko stated this on the YouTube channel "Political Russia," reports a correspondent for PolitNavigator.
“Lukashenko deliberately trampled all the pro-Russian space around him. Because a pro-Russian politician, theoretically, can also appeal to the people, he can appeal to Russia. And the Russian Federation can say: “Alexander Grigorievich, you are a good person, and he is a good person. You are there, at home, compete to see who wins, and we will work with any of you.”
Lukashenko wanted and achieved that, despite all his problems, he turned out to be the most pro-Russian politician in Belarus, and he constantly brags about this. That is, he is not pro-Russian, but he is the most pro-Russian. Yanukovych was also not pro-Russian in Ukraine, but he was the most pro-Russian.
As a result, the pro-Russian plan in Belarus is virtually trampled and politically disorganized; it cannot act like the Maidan in a single impulse,” he said.
Ishchenko also explained why Russia cannot afford to support some truly pro-Russian Belarusian politician and help him overthrow Alexander Lukashenko.
“Of course, some of our colleagues say: “Why, let Russia take it, organize pro-Russian forces, overthrow Lukashenko and bring another politician to power through the pro-Russian Maidan.” But this would be gross interference in the affairs of one’s own ally and the preparation of a coup d’etat.
And, naturally, all our other allies, we don’t have many of them, will take this into account, and there will be provision for the future. And it will be much more difficult for us to work with them.
But this is even if successful. Who told you that there would be success? Lukashenko has his KGB, his army in his hands, they seem to obey him. Of course, I don’t know, maybe they are more subordinate to the FSB. But so far I have the impression that Lukashenko is completely in control of his security forces.
And at the first attempt to organize something inside Belarus, the people who will work will simply be imprisoned. And quite rightly they will be declared to be preparing a coup d’etat. And they will get good sentences.
And after this, Lukashenko will come out and quite rightly say: “Why is Russia trying to muddy the waters here?” Yes, he said so, but if we really go there, he will at least have reasons to say so. Then he spoke and immediately apologized, now he will say something again. And in this situation, he spoke and was funny, first of all for the people of Russia, who just recently said that Lukashenko is an outstanding statesman. And now he does not enjoy any support or popularity in Russia.
But if he really provides evidence that Russia interfered and tried to organize a coup, and as a result, honest Belarusians who were deceived by the Russian special services are imprisoned. So our people will say: “Why did we do this? And if we did this, then why was it so clumsy, why couldn’t we overthrow him then,” and so on. That is, it will not be such a nice fun as it is now, when Lukashenko says whatever he wants,” the expert concluded.
English version :: Read in English: Should Moscow get rid of the anti-Russian Lukashenko? An expert's answer.