Nemtsov: Lukashenka to use Russian military bases to blackmail Putin
Belarus president will threaten to close Russian military bases if the Kremlin refuses financial support to Minsk, says Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov
The co-leader of the Russian People's Freedom Party Boris Nemtsov said during his visit to Minsk:
“Lukashenka agreed with Shoigu [on military air base deploymen] only to get new instruments for blackmailing Russia – this is a trap for Putin. No doubt Lukashenka will demand cheap Russian oil supplies, gas and so on for this base. Unfortunately, I am sure that the money will never reach the Belarusian people.”
A new game will start – how much rents will Russia pay for its military bases? Lukashenka “knows how to bargain” and the bases will cost more that the Russian naval base in Ukraine, Nemtsov thinks.
Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu mentioned the possibility of deployment of a Russian airbase in Belarus at a meeting with Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Minsk. An air regiment will be sent to the airbase, Shoigu said. He did not mention the possible location. However, Baranavichy is the most likely place for it, Russian edition Komemrsant reports.
Co-leader of the PFP Boris Nemtsov arrived in Minsk to sign a cooperation agreement with the United Civil Party.
