Roman Bezsmertny: Lukashenka is in Kremlin's yes-men band

Belarus dictator does only what Putin allows him.

Roman Bezsmertny, the former Ambassador of Ukraine in Minsk, told in his interview to Radio Svaboda.

- On Tuesday on air of the channel 5 you stated that Russian intelligence services had launched disintegration processes in Belarus. What your conclusions are based on? Do you have some exclusive concerning Russian intelligence services' activity in Belarus?

- First of all, close attention should be paid to social networks which suddenly have launched the idea of creation of various republics on the territory of Belarus. –What is it? It is called a touchstone in the system of KGB's mechanisms. First, now Kremlin waits for the reaction both of Belarusian government and society. Second, the cancellation of tripartite meeting in Astana is not accidental, as well as following coincidence: introduction of such information in mass media and certain organizational actions.

With regard to operational data, pardon me, I'm not going to tell you this, because such sources should be kept in secret.

- But do you have such information?

- Yes, of course.

- On air of the channel 5 you noted that Belarus might be "flung into the "game" to torpedo the Baltic states. What did you mean?

- It's the same mechanism as in Ukraine. I think you have heard about so-called "foreign Russian legion". If you take a look at biographies of people from the legion, the majority of them have already been in Ukraine, in the Donbass, and at the side of separatists. So, you should pay attention to how many Belarusians are there. This is not accidental. And what do you think, whom they will serve in Belarus? Russia, Belarus? Or will they comply with instructions about provocations in Lithuania and Latvia? The task is extremely clear: their main function is to create provocations in the Baltic region.

- What do you think why Putin should do something against Lukashenka? Now he is considered the last ally of Kremlin...

- This is not a game against Lukashenka, as well as not a game against Ukraine in Donbass. It's a big geopolitical game with Ukraine, Belarus, and Lukashenka acting like objects, but not subjects of the process.

- And after all, why does the Kremlin need destabilization in Belarus?

- To strengthen its influence. What is on the agenda for Putin? Increased pressure to have his hands free to influence the Baltic countries.

- What do you think about Lukashenka's position concerning crisis in Ukraine?

- He has no position! He is in Kremlin's yes-men band and does only what he is allowed to do. Only Putin sets rules. What kind of Lukashenka's independence are you talking about? There was not and could not be. He will do only what Putin allows him. If not, he will not be the president anymore.

-Today, eastern Ukraine has a relative inactive situation. Do you think it will last long? What should happen in the near future?

- Unfortunately, I can't call it an inactive situation, because the blood continues to be shed, people leave places where they used to live for decades, where their parents, grandfathers and great grandfathers lived. Therefore, it is an endless war. How long will it last? Unfortunately, Ukraine does not affect it. Today the conflict is beyond Ukraine's frames, it's a geopolitical game and Ukraine acts only as the battlefield.

Photo by PHL