Alyaksei Shein: Russia will support “elections” in exchange for privatization

The politician thinks Lavrov came to Belarus to take advantage of the country's worsened relations with the EU.

Alyaksei Shein, a member of the National Council of the organizing committee to create Belarusian Christian Democracy party, comments for charter97.org on a visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Belarus.

“The logic of events during the last two years shows everything that happens after presidential 'elections' is favourable for the Russian authorities. Extorting state assets attractive for Russia's leadership, Russia will back Lukashenka in every way so that he could stay in power. I'd like to emphasize that all events in Belarus are favorable for and supported by Russia,” the politician said.

“Lavrov arrived because Russia decided to use the worsened relations between Belarus and the EU. Russia uses this moment to make Belarus more dependent economically and politically. I think Lavrov and Lukashenka were talking about the promised privatization

Alyaksei Shein: Russia will support “elections” in exchange for privatization and discussing Russia's position on the Belarusian 'elections'. Russia will support the 'elections' in exchange for selling Belarusian enterprises. One should not forget that Belarus supports Russia in everything. For example, in Russia's position on Syria. It is a concerted strategy,” Alyaksei Shein thinks.

We remind Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Belarus today. He held meetings with Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhei Martynau and Lukashenka. Lavrov said at the meeting Russia would contribute to providing an “objective and unbiased" assessment of the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus.