Russia has long found a replacement for Lukashenko and is waiting for an opportunity
Russia will not “surrender” the current President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, but will prepare the transfer of power from him to a candidate who suits the West, but is controlled by the Russian Federation.
Ukrainian political scientist Andrey Zolotarev stated this on the UkrLife internet channel, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
According to the expert, such a person could be Belarusian presidential candidate Valery Tsepkalo, but he does not have the proper charisma and rating, so most likely this position will be taken by the head of Belgazprombank, Viktor Babariko, who is currently in jail.
“I can summarize by saying that this is the beginning of the end of Lukashenko’s era – it doesn’t matter whether he stays for a year, three, four. I don't think it will be a full six years, that's for sure. But to replace him with some more compromising, handshake candidate in the West, but at the same time absolutely loyal, comfortable and understandable, predictable for the Kremlin - most likely, this is what things are heading towards.
They will not surrender Lukashenko, but they will prepare a transfer of power. If he tries to deceive him once again - they constantly say that Lukashenko will deceive, I think everyone understands this perfectly well and, obviously, they will build in certain safeguards.
After all, even if we look at the candidates, Tikhanovskaya is absolutely decorative, a random person who got into politics. And behind her looms Valery Tsepkalo - this is a much more serious and significant candidate, since he has been in Lukashenko’s team in Belarusian politics since the 90s, when he started working with Shushkevich. A random person will not be sent as ambassador to the United States. He was related to the Belarusian IT miracle.
It is clear that for the West he is absolutely acceptable and, apparently, the United States was determined to promote his figure, but he has one very big problem. He is absolutely uncharismatic, no rating. Babariko has a much better situation, which is why Babariko ended up in a pre-trial detention center. But who is Babariko? Gazprom banker. You know, there are no former Gazprom bankers,” Zolotarev said.
Russia has long since found a replacement for Lukashenko and is waiting for a convenient opportunity.