From allies to adversaries? Lukashenko's bold warning to Putin

From allies to adversaries? Lukashenko's bold warning to Putin

The Daily Digest

Story by thedailydigest.com

27/01/2025

 

아군에서 적대국으로? 푸틴에 대한 루카셴코의 대담한 경고

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Lukashenko surprised by warning Putin©Provided by The Daily Digest

In an interview with a Russian media outlet in October 2024, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the severe consequences of any attempts to merge Belarus with Russia. Lukashenko highlighted that such actions could have serious repercussions and advised Putin against pursuing any initiatives aimed at unifying the two countries.

 

* a Russian media outlet : 러시아 언론 매체

* repercussion  [riˌpərkəˈʃən] ① 영향 ② 반향 ③ 반사

-The repercussions of war

 

Lukashenko's warning

In a conversation with Izvestia, a prominent Russian news outlet, Lukashenko addressed speculations regarding a potential unification with Russia, indicating that the ramifications of such an action could be significant.

 

An increasingly worrying problem

The notion that Belarus could give up its independence and join Russia in the future is a political problem that’s become more important since Moscow invaded Ukraine at the beginning of February 2022. 

 

Joining Russia is a bad idea©Provided by The Daily Digest

Whether or not Lukashenko would allow Belarus to fall under the full control of the Kremlin has been hotly debated, but the Belarusian leader said that joining Russia would be opposed by Bealrusians and result in war. 

 

Asked several questions©Provided by The Daily Digest

While speaking with Izvestia, Lukashenko was asked about the problems his country was facing, and he brought up several, including the possibility of joining Russia.  

 

Rejecting the idea of joining Russia©Provided by The Daily Digest

Lukashenko rejected the notion that Belarus would join Russia and was clear that while Russia and Belarus had a common ancestry, Belarus needed to stay a sovereign state because any attempt to join Russia would result in war. 

 

Opposed by Belarusians©Provided by The Daily Digest

“First… Nobody has authorized me to take that step. Second, any move by any politician in that direction would be quashed by the Belarusian people,” Lukashenko explained to Izvestia, according to a translation from Novaya Gazeta  

 

“It’s impossible and impractical”©Provided by The Daily Digest

“Us joining Russia? Out of the question. It’s impossible and impractical. I’m sorry to say that would mean war,” Lukashenko continued. 

 

The Union State

Lukashenko went on to explain that his country played an important role in establishing the Union State, which is a supranational union between Belarus and Russia designed to deepen the two countries' relationship according to Wikipedia, before Vladimir Putin took power in Russia. 

 

 

Belarus is close enough

“We have more than enough specialists to build such close relations in the Union State, to create this Union State, we have set our sights on this. I was the initiator of this back in [former Russian President Boris] Yeltsin’s time,” Lukashenko said.

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By RIA Novosti Archive, Vladimir Rodionov, CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0

 

Why create a single state?©Provided by The Daily Digest

“We can build such relations that will be closer and stronger than in a unitary state. And no one will be offended by anyone. We need this,” Lukashenko added, according to the Kyiv Post. 

 

Examining Lukashenko’s comments©Provided by The Daily Digest

What Lukashenko was explaining was that Belarus and Russia didn’t need to be part of a single state to gain the benefits of such a state, their relations could be stronger while separate states and he suggested that this approach wouldn’t lead to problems he outlined, namely a possible war.

 

A strong partnership©Provided by The Daily Digest

So far, Lukashnko’s closer relationship with Russia has led to a very strong partnership between the two countries and hasn’t resulted in a situation that has toppled Belarus or its government. His comments paired well with other remarks that he made in the interview. 

 

Explaining good politics©Provided by The Daily Digest

While speaking about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lukashenko outlined why it was important for politicians to think ahead when making moves. 

 

Thinking two steps ahead©Provided by The Daily Digest

“Okay, let’s say Russia conquered Ukraine. What then? Every time a smart, wise politician takes a step, he should think, ‘What next?’ That’s why Putin, he often talks about this, has never had the task of conquering…” Lukashenko explained.

 

Always think about what comes next©Provided by The Daily Digest

“That’s why the world is like this now, it’s not the Middle Ages, when you captured a territory, pay taxes and that’s it – the world has changed, the world is different. That’s why you shouldn’t set stupid goals for yourself, and you should always think about what will happen next,” Lukasehnko added. 

 

A rift between Moscow and Minsk?©Provided by The Daily Digest

Novaya Gazeta reported that feathers were ruffled in Minsk back in February 2023 when an internal Russian document outlined Moscow’s plans to gradually absorb Belarus into Russia through a unification process meant to be finished by 2030. 

 

Ending the Union State

The document outlined moves that would end the current Union State between the two countries, which was established in 1999 at Lukashenko’s behest, and would put Minsk in a subservient position to Russian leaders in Moscow. 

 

이 문서에는 1999년 루카셴코의 명령에 따라 수립된 두 나라 간의 현재 연방 국가를 종식시키고 민스크를 모스크바의 러시아 지도자들에게 종속시키는 움직임이 개략적으로 나와 있었습니다.

 

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