Yuriy Romanenko: It's unclear how Lukashenka can help Kyiv

The Belarusian ruler has no leverage on the Kremlin in its relations with Ukraine.

Yuriy Romanenko, director of the Ukrainian centre for political analysis Stratagema and chief editor of Hvylya website spoke to charter97.org about Lukashenka's remark about his readiness to “work for Russia's interests in Ukraine”.

“I don't think Lukashenka can effectively act as a mediator. He doesn't have relative resources. It's unclear how he can actually help in the talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Does he have any influence on Putin or the Kremlin? No. Generally speaking, he has no leverage on Moscow in its relations with Ukraine. So, it's just words. I think this Lukashenka's initiative is not very important,” the politologist is confident.

The Belarusian dictator said yesterday at a meeting with Russia's Kaluga Oblast Governor Anatoly Artamonov that he was “ready to work for Russia's interests in Ukraine”. He emphasised he wouldn't make a step without consulting with Moscow.

Photo: ua.glavred.info