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Lavrov Arrives in Minsk to Talk on Ukraine and European Missile Defense System?

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Lavrov Arrives in Minsk to Talk on Ukraine and European Missile Defense System?
Photo by Reuters

On Monday the Belarusian dictator will meet with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

In the press release prepared by the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs devoted to the visit of the head of the Russian foreign policy department to Minsk, much attention is given to different memorable dates in the history of two countries. In April Moscow and Minsk celebrated 20 years the Agreement on the Community of Russia and Belarus. In 2017 celebration of Treaty on the Union of the RF and Belarus is awaiting. There are some more figures in the statistics provided by the press release - in 2016 there were 2 meetings of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and Vladimir Putin, 5 meetings of prime ministers of two countries. In the first quarter of 2016 Russian export to Belarus rose by 1.6%, as well as the Belarusian one to Russia - 4.4%, Russian newspaper writes.

Nevertheless, relations of the states has recently been grieved, it is not a secret for the West as well, because of disagreement over the gas price. In this regard the mass media gently reminds: Minsk cannot already expect as much economic support of Russia as it used to be.

The planned discussion of Lavrov and an official Minsk of "common approaches and common priority assertion on various international arenas" must demonstrate Moscow that despite lifting European sanctions the Belarusian strategic ally still adheres to the foreign policy of Russia. Lavrov also plans to meet with Foreign Minister of Belarus Uladzimir Makei in the "one-on-one" format, as well as to have a talk long enough with Lukashenka. The last one gladly uses negotiations with Lavrov to make loud "statements", not always diplomatic ones, including those addressed to the senior management of Russia. Lukashenka has recently asked in public to "repurpose local consumers from the Russian gas to energy of the Belarusian NPP."

However, leaders of Russia and Belarus will have a chance to discuss existing disagreement in June already. It is expected that Vladimir Putin to take part in the Third forum of regions of Russia and Belarus that will take place in Minsk.

The planned "exchange of opinions with the Belarusian party on the regional and international security" will touch upon the negotiation process between Kyiv and "republics" of Donbas as well. Before Lukashenka's visit to Italy, the Russian side is interested in "renewed" information on how parties to a conflict implement Minsk accords. One can assume the deputy foreign minister Gregory Karasin who has arrived together with Lavrov will report on it to Minsk colleagues.

Construction of NATO facilities of European Missile Defense System in Poland and Romania , as well as other forms of military activities of the alliance on its eastern frontiers has become another direction of the foreign policy requiring "synchronization of watches". Mr. Putin has warned about readiness of Moscow to "halt these threats." So, Belarus is concerned about whipping up tension in the region. Apart from adoption of some kind of a formal programme of action of Foreign Ministries of Russia and Belarus in the sphere of foreign policy for 2016 and 2017, Moscow and Minsk have to coordinate general steps in the course of Lavrov's visit on the grounds of the UN and OSCE, as well as during various kinds of foreign visits to be carried out by the Belarusian side.

In the course of Lavrov's visit to Minsk there will be talks on construction of the European Missile Defense System in Poland and its consequences for security in the region – the topic Moscow would like to set out with Minsk on foreign policy tracks in a cohesive way.

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