Change of Russian Ambassador in Minsk: Who will come instead of the too soft Mezentsev
The mansion of the Russian Embassy on Minsk Novovilenskaya Street is changing its owner again. On the evening of March 19, President Putin signed a decree on the resignation of Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev, after which, in turn, Lukashenko, as the current chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, signed a decree appointing him Secretary of State of the Union State. The name of the new ambassador in Minsk has not yet been officially announced, but, with a high degree of probability, he will be the current ambassador in Riga, Evgeniy Lukyanov, who has already been approved by the relevant Duma commission.
The mansion on Novovilenskaya has been changing owners too often lately. This is the third time in less than three years. Long-living ambassador Alexander Surikov sat in his chair for 12 years - from 2006 to 2018.
Mikhail Babich, who was appointed after him, launched a vigorous activity and paid for it with an early resignation, not lasting even a year. Mezentsev, who came after him, although he did not show much activity, left his position a little short of his two years in office.
Judging by the personalities of the ambassadors, under Surikov there was no Russian policy in the Belarusian direction, under Babich it was too tough, and under Mezentsev it was too soft. I hope that Lukyanov (if he is appointed after all) will become a golden mean.
Surikov, if we evaluate his role objectively, was a disgrace of Russian diplomacy, who not only let his work take its course, but, instead of representing the interests of Russia in Belarus, lobbied for Lukashenko’s interests in Moscow.
I remember him most of all for his commentary on the “Regnum case.” Instead of standing up for three pro-Russian publicists who were detained on far-fetched charges and spent a year behind bars? he described them as “very radical journalists” who are “driving wedges” between the peoples of Belarus and Russia.
Babich was the direct opposite of Surikov. Energetic, straightforward, not afraid to say unpleasant things and firmly defend the interests of the state he represented. He took up the task of revising relations, spoke a lot, traveled around the country, and as a result greatly angered Lukashenko.
It is interesting that one of the main complaints of “Batska” against the Russian ambassador was a single meeting with representatives of a fairly moderate and not particularly influential opposition organization “Tell the Truth.”
And this is at a time when almost the entire opposition goes to the embassies of Western states almost as if they were going to work, and many oppositionists also receive salaries from Western funds. A blatant example of double standards not in favor of the allies.
In his almost two years, Mezentsev was not particularly memorable for anything. Delicate work was expected from a professional psychologist. But the work seemed to be so delicate that it was not visible. He resembled Surikov more than Babich. The pro-Russian political community did not like him. And, although in critical situations, such as the detention of the Wagnerites, he showed both firmness and professionalism, he was usually inconspicuous, He did not react to the activity of the Belarusian elite directed against Russia; Lukashenko listened to anti-Russian speeches with an imperturbable smile.
What to expect from the new ambassador? Mezentsev’s successor should be a person who will purposefully clear away the rubble in bilateral relations, protect and promote Russia’s interests in Belarus, and promote real, not imitation, integration.
Lukyanov, if he does become an ambassador, may turn out to be such a person - a longtime ally of Putin. Maybe not the closest circle, but your own, from St. Petersburg, trusted and trusted. He has been in diplomatic work since Soviet times, but managed to work in large positions in the Hermitage, in the banking sector, and in the Security Council. He has already demonstrated the ability to change the direction of work, quickly get to the heart of the matter and achieve success; he has gained experience. Including very specific experience - at Dresdnerbank he headed the direction of preventing money laundering. Some particularly successful Belarusian oligarchs may need to tighten their grip.
Another feature of Lukyanov is that he is a person who clearly adheres to patriotic views and does not hesitate to demonstrate this. This can help him find mutual understanding with real and independent pro-Russian forces, and not exclusively court officialdom and caricatured “father’s Russophiles.”
In short, I'd like the new Russian ambassador to Minsk to be, as strange as it may sound, more Russian and more effective. I hope Mezentsev's successor will prove to be just that, especially since time is running out in Belarus, and there's no time to waste on options.
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