Lukashenka Cajoles Money out of Putin

The Belarusian ruler spends his short holiday in Sochi.

His press-secretary Natallia Eismont informs. Earlier the Belarusian leader had an informal conversation with Dmitry Medvedev.

- Aliaksandr Lukashenka tested pistes and decided to stay in Sochi for a short holiday, Natallia Eismont noted.

Is it only passion for pistes that made him stay there? Experts of zautra.by answer the question.

Andrei Fyedarau: The Kremlin may provide the ally with a few billions of dollars

- Lukashenka hopes for a talk with Putin, the international analyst believes. - The meeting with Medvedev was not planned.

He believes that money is the main subject of talks for the Belarusian ruler, as well as for the Russian one is a military airbase and economic relations with Ukraine.

The analyst reminds that Russia is out of a free trade zone with Ukraine.

- Moscow may give money, if the Belarusian leadership follows Russia, the political scientist says.

The expert notes that despite the crisis in Russia, the Kremlin may find a few billions for ally.

- The situation in Russia is complex enough, but, however, it is early to say that it is totally out. Putin has a strict position towards Lukashenka like never before, the analyst believes.

He intends that it will be hard to gain support of the West, he is not ready for democratic changes.

- I have no faith that the West and, first of all, the European Union will turn a blind eye to violation of human rights in Belarus. They can mitigate some approaches, but hardly give a tacit consent to abuse of basic values, Andrei Fyedarau predicts.

Ales Lahvinets: Lukashenka may cajole money out of Russia

The political scientist Ales Lahvinets believes that the meeting with Putin in Sochi was possible, but resulted into nothing.

- Lukashenka extremely needs to agree upon a credit. He needs money badly to keep enterprises afloat, the expert notes.

Accorging to him, relations between two leaders are still complex.

- Putin does not treat Lukashenka as an equal. However, Lukashenka, without any affection for Putin, may rely on common ground of post-Soviet chauvinism or anti-West sentiments, the political scientist believes.

The analyst intends that the president of Russia has no choice, but to continue cooperation with the current head of Belarus.

- Lukashenka may cajole money out of Russia. But personally for him, not for the country. It may take some time, Russia needs Lukashenka. He, in his turn, will not be able to retain power without the Kremlin's support, Ales Lahvinets predicts.