Fyodorov: Medvedev warns Lukashenka what they will be talking about
Former Russian deputy foreign minister and currently director of a Moscow-based think tank Andrei Fyodorov tells Euroradio why Medvedev's statement and Godfather 3 will not cancel Lukashenka's visit to Moscow. Euroradio: "A week ago, you expressed confidence that the Belarus leader would visit Moscow within two-three weeks. But we have learned since then that NTV will broadcast Godfather 3 film in mid August. Today, Dmitry Medvedev accused Lukashenka of having not met his obligations to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Have these developments changed your forecast regarding Lukashenka's visit to Moscow?"
Andrei Fyodorov: "No. My forecast has not changed. I think the both sides are interested in meeting and understanding each other in order to sort out all those disagreements. Besides, it is totally clear that the issue of recognising Abkhasia and South Ossetia by Belarus will be on agenda when the presidents will meet. This topic is very painful to Russia, and it is not in the interest of Russia to hush it up. So far, recognition of these two break-away republics is moving forward very slowly. Of course, there is no rush, but it would be objectively positive for Russia if this process had any kind of development".
E: "Can this kind of statement ahead of the meeting disrupt the meet?"
AF: "By no means! This is a known topic, and it is on agenda like the issue of the gas conflict. The situation now is when they should not scare each other. Rather, they should look at what is positive in relations between Belarus and Russia and what is negative. Unfortunately, the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is in in the negative category on agenda. But, one should understand that a hard talk is inevitable, even with our fraternal relations. There are several acute issues the sides should find understanding now instead of delaying up to January or February".
E: How soon will Lukashenka visit Moscow?
AF: "Quite soon. Personally, I think that if this meeting takes place, its results will be positive. Many things happen, simply because there is no direct and constant comntact, while media often create hurdles even when it is not necessary".
E: Why has there been no information about preparations of a visit by the Belarusian president to his Russian counterpart?
AF: Its can be an ordinary working visit. It does not need to be agreed on for months. It can be done quite quickly. Moreover, the minimum of formalities are need in relations between Belarus and Russia. In principle, the presidents of Russia and Belarus should meet every month. If they meet for one or two hours every month, many problems can be avoided".
E: Is Moscow hurt that Lukashenka has insistingly looked back at the West lately?"
AF: "The feeling of offence in politics is a very relative thing. What does it mean to look towards the West? There are certain obligations in relations between Belarus and Russia. Mainly, Lukashenka meets them. Besides, the integration of Belarus into Europe is currently not possible for political and economic reasons. And I am confident that Lukashenka will not change his course radically for the sake of improving relations with the West. I used to compare Belarus with Cuba. Cuba could have changed everything over night. But it has been doing everything gradually. Lukashenka, too has been making very careful steps. He understands that if he meets all demands of the West, he will end up without power and the country".
E: The leaders of the Belarusian opposition are planned to visit Moscow in the second half of August. Will their ways cross with Lukashenka?
AF: "These visits will not take place on the same days. I can guarantee that".
Andrei Fyodorov: "No. My forecast has not changed. I think the both sides are interested in meeting and understanding each other in order to sort out all those disagreements. Besides, it is totally clear that the issue of recognising Abkhasia and South Ossetia by Belarus will be on agenda when the presidents will meet. This topic is very painful to Russia, and it is not in the interest of Russia to hush it up. So far, recognition of these two break-away republics is moving forward very slowly. Of course, there is no rush, but it would be objectively positive for Russia if this process had any kind of development".
E: "Can this kind of statement ahead of the meeting disrupt the meet?"
AF: "By no means! This is a known topic, and it is on agenda like the issue of the gas conflict. The situation now is when they should not scare each other. Rather, they should look at what is positive in relations between Belarus and Russia and what is negative. Unfortunately, the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is in in the negative category on agenda. But, one should understand that a hard talk is inevitable, even with our fraternal relations. There are several acute issues the sides should find understanding now instead of delaying up to January or February".
E: How soon will Lukashenka visit Moscow?
AF: "Quite soon. Personally, I think that if this meeting takes place, its results will be positive. Many things happen, simply because there is no direct and constant comntact, while media often create hurdles even when it is not necessary".
E: Why has there been no information about preparations of a visit by the Belarusian president to his Russian counterpart?
AF: Its can be an ordinary working visit. It does not need to be agreed on for months. It can be done quite quickly. Moreover, the minimum of formalities are need in relations between Belarus and Russia. In principle, the presidents of Russia and Belarus should meet every month. If they meet for one or two hours every month, many problems can be avoided".
E: Is Moscow hurt that Lukashenka has insistingly looked back at the West lately?"
AF: "The feeling of offence in politics is a very relative thing. What does it mean to look towards the West? There are certain obligations in relations between Belarus and Russia. Mainly, Lukashenka meets them. Besides, the integration of Belarus into Europe is currently not possible for political and economic reasons. And I am confident that Lukashenka will not change his course radically for the sake of improving relations with the West. I used to compare Belarus with Cuba. Cuba could have changed everything over night. But it has been doing everything gradually. Lukashenka, too has been making very careful steps. He understands that if he meets all demands of the West, he will end up without power and the country".
E: The leaders of the Belarusian opposition are planned to visit Moscow in the second half of August. Will their ways cross with Lukashenka?
AF: "These visits will not take place on the same days. I can guarantee that".
