Andrei Sannikov: “Lukashenka is ready to yield the whole state” :: Charter'97 :: News

“Another gas conflict of Russia and Belarus has highlighted key points both in the relations in Belarus and Russia, and in the domestic policy of Belarus. It is obvious that unlike previous clashes, the sides have found their position in what they want from each other. Moscow has found a way to have Belarus on a string without any formal documents. And Lukashenka, who had been trying to play on both friendship with Russia and defence of Belarus’ independence, has demonstrated that he is ready to yield the whole state. Exactly these events were taking place on the New Year night. The Belarusian government has agreed for a creeping surrender of national property to Russian oligarchs in a hope to keep the regime existing n Belarus,” told the international coordinator of the Charter’97 press-center, a former deputy foreign minister of Belarus Andrei Sannikov, commenting on the Belarusian-Russian gas agreements.

“In general, we have learnt a lot of new things during this conflict,” Mr. Sannikov notes. “For instance, that the Yamal-Europe trunkline belongs to Russia completely, including the land under the pipeline which had been given for an indefinite lease; that the Belarusian “economic wonder” cannot bring profits which could cover expenses for energy products”.

“It looks like fiscal revenues are not allocated for satisfaction of people’s needs, but for building villas for officials, for supporting a huge repression machine, mass production of new paddy wagons for political prisoners and so on. The Belarusian regime has vividly demonstrated its complete bankruptcy and inability to defend the independence of the state even acting in own selector,” the politician believes.