Andrei Suzdaltsev: Belaruskali is real bankrupt

Lukashenka cannot prove Baumgertner's guilt.

Politologist Andrei Suzdaltsev spoke to charter97.org about Lukashenka's readiness to extradite Uralkali CEO to the Russian authorities.

“It means that Lukashenka cannot prove the guilt of Vladislav Baumgertner and gives this case to Russia demanding money. It's not a serious talk. If you arrest someone, prove you did it objectively and legally. Don't shift responsibility on others. It is a level of street hooligans who shift blame for their actions on neighbours,” the expert thinks.

He emphasised that Lukashenka chose not to wait for a meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Zapad 2013 military exercises and decided to set his conditions in advance.

“It is an ordinary mafia-style tradition. But Russia will not bargain with Lukashenka. The only thing he can do is say that Uralkali is a bankrupt. The company's shares are growing. Yes, it was a 20% fall, but the shares doubled last week. The enterprise is working at full capacity,” the politologist said.

He is sure that Lukashenka expected all employees of the company to cry and beg for return, but they don't do it.

“That's why he lies and says about Belarus's readiness to resume cooperation with Uralkali if Suleiman Kerimv quits. It is just a precaution. If the same people own the company, they will take revenge on Lukashenka. Uralkali will do its best to drive Belaruskali out of the market. So the real bankrupt in this situation is Belaruskali. It cannot work without the Russian partner. So Lukashenka goes for broke. Calling his own problems someone else's problems is his old trick,” Andrei Suzdaltsev says.

We remind that the Belarusian dictator said today that the extradition of Vladislav Baungertner was possible “if Russia will investigate his case in accordance with the law”. He also said Uralkali was a bankrupt.