Why Did Lukashenka Fly To Putin's Monastery?

A political scientist spoke about a “special ritual”.

Lukashenka unexpectedly went to Putin on the island of Valaam, where a famous Orthodox monastery is located. The background of this meeting is curious — after the withdrawal of Belarusian troops from the border with Ukraine, Russian media accused the Belarusian dictator of treason.

Why did Lukashenka go to Putin? The Charter97.org website talked about this with the famous Ukrainian political scientist, head of the Penta Center for Applied Political Research Volodymyr Fesenko:

— I don't think there is any special reason for this meeting. As for the decorations for the meeting, they already met on Valaam (the meeting took place in 2019 — edit.).

I will note that for Putin, visiting Valaam is a special ritual, and Lukashenka is adjusting. I would say that Lukashenka's meetings with Putin are a special ritual.

But for the Belarusian dictator, this is a ritual of extorting money, bargaining. Maybe there is an indirect connection with the current situation, but Lukashenka will squeeze out money for some concessions from Russia, joint new actions.

I think that if Lukashenka manages to squeeze out another portion of money or material resources at this meeting, he will promise Putin something new. For example, he will make a statement against Ukraine or the West (he will gladly do so).

It is interesting that Lukashenka tries to visit Putin in such an environment, where the owner of the Kremlin is more relaxed. Including in the summer, visiting holy places or when Putin is on vacation. In these conditions, he squeezes out new handouts. This is the meaning of this trip.

There are no other meanings. Moreover, Lukashenka is now also playing the China card. Let's remember the recent joint exercises. You know, Lukashenka is increasingly becoming a servant of two masters: both Moscow and Beijing. He is trying to play, like, “I have another older friend”. I would like to emphasize that he is playing a special game with Putin. But now Lukashenka's room for maneuver is much smaller than before.

Relations with China have become a new benchmark for Lukashenka, which gives him some new opportunities to at least partially weaken his dependence on Moscow. He is trying to maneuver, using a kind of protectorate of China.

I would like to note that there are not many places for diplomatic activity when it comes to Belarus. The other day, head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Ryzhankou was in North Korea. In the situation with the DPRK, Lukashenka is taking the beaten path of the Kremlin, following the footsteps of the master, who recently was there.

I do not think that there are any large reserves and resources for the development of relations between the DPRK and Belarus.

Nevertheless, however harsh it may sound, Lukashenka can receive some scraps from the master's table (in relations with the DPRK). It turns out to be a triangle: Russia will get military equipment, ammunition, weapons from Kim Jong-un, and not only the Russian Federation, but also Belarus will compensate North Korea for this.

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