In a ritual confrontation with the West, Lukashenko enlisted the support of China
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell issued a statement today that the inauguration and new presidential term of Alexander Lukashenko do not have “sufficient democratic legitimacy.”
The EU considers the presidential elections in Belarus rigged and is “reassessing relations with this country.”
A total of 15 countries do not recognize Lukashenko as the president of Belarus. These are not only Eastern European countries, which traditionally take anti-Belarusian and anti-Russian positions, but also the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands.
This demarche, however, did not prevent the United States from actually appointing a new ambassador to Minsk. Lukashenko’s main enemy, Lithuania, also does not intend to close its embassy. Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis explained that “cooperation between government agencies and diplomatic relations continue.”
Thus, the campaign to not recognize Lukashenko cannot yet be considered a boycott of Belarus by the West.
The Belarusian president himself demonstrates confidence. Such a powerful ally as China plays a significant role in this. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said today that China respects the choice made by the Belarusian people and opposes the creation of “unrest in the country by external forces.”
Today, Vice Speaker of the Belarusian Senate Valery Mitskevich, at a meeting with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Zhang Yesu, announced preparations for the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Lukashenko's gratitude was not long in coming. Today he presented the Order of Honor to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China, Cui Qiming.
“You will be in Beijing soon. I kindly ask you to convey to the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, my good friend and long-time friend, your kindest words of gratitude for the support he has always provided and especially recently. He was the first to congratulate me on my victory in the elections. Tell him that he has reliable friends in Belarus, that Belarus will always be a friendly country for the People’s Republic of China,” Lukashenko said.
He also complained to the Chinese diplomat about the “unconstructive attitude of some neighbors.”
“Even after yesterday’s inauguration, there was some kind of resentment or complaint that we did not inform the Poles, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Czechs or anyone else that we would hold this event.
Well, in my opinion, according to the laws of Belarus, we should not warn anyone from Western countries or anyone at all. This is an internal matter of our country. And there is only one criticism: it’s either a mystery or a sacrament. You know, about 2 thousand people were invited to the inauguration, along with the military. And it is almost impossible to keep it a secret.
Well, why are they doing this? They are doing this in order to stir up the so-called protest mood, so that more people will pour out into the streets as usual on Saturday and Sunday, that’s why they need it. We understand this and are ready for this,” Lukashenko said.
Today, Lukashenko’s supporters staged a small picket outside the Lithuanian Embassy in Minsk. In their hands they held posters “Tikhanouskaya for President of Lithuania”, “Hands off Belarus”, “Forgot who liberated you in 1944”.
In a ritual confrontation with the West , Lukashenko has secured China's support.