Television Paradoxes of Russian-Belarusian Merger :: Charter'97 :: News

Moscow and Minsk are once again on the edge of a scandal. This time the reason for the rupture in their relations is television. NTV correspondent Pavel Selin was stripped of accreditation card and exiled from Belarus, followed by a five-year travel ban, imposed on him by the Belarusian authorities. The official Minsk is awaiting public excuses from NTV company, otherwise threatening to shut its representation in the country.

The Russian FM hasn’t yet officially commented on the situation, but only expressed its bewilderment over the deportation of journalist.

Meantime, such a silent reaction on part of Moscow is quite comprehensible. The television row occurred at the most inconvenient moment for Moscow. If you remember, a few days ago the sides practically declared the achievement of agreement on the gradual introduction of Russian ruble on the territory of Belarus. No wonder, any harsh reaction on part of the Russian Foreign Ministry could lead to the termination of those plans. It seems as though Russia doesn’t feel like doing that and will most likely leave another saber-rattling manifestation by Lukashenko without notice.

Being trapped into a “unification snare”, Moscow, though not paying too much heed to the development of good relations with Belarus, nonetheless isn’t going to give up the “union” idea totally. Therefore, it is simply observing in silence the situation development in the neighboring state.