Former Belarus President Analyzes Geopolitics in Tallinn
Aleksandr Lukashenka's Belarusian regime survives only thanks to Russian support, said the man the iron-handed ruler replaced as head of state.
Visiting Tallinn on December 5, Stanislau Shushkevich said Lukashenka came to power democratically, but ended up being propped up by Russia, ETV reported.
Shushkevich said he was pessimistic about the regime coming to an end, as that would mean Russian support would dry up. He said he did not see that happening.
The former chairman of the republic's Supreme Soviet said the disputes that periodically abrupt between Belarus and Russia should not be taken seriously as they were superficial and had never affected the core of the relations.
"It is very beneficial for Russia if alongside freedom-loving autonomous regions such as Ichkeria, Tatarstan and the others, there is also a republic such as Belarus that seems to be on the cusp of merging with Russia. Not that it actually wants merge, it wants to be a European country, that is confirmed by Lukashenka with all his might."
He said Lukashenka is actually a dangerous character for Russia, even while some rulers want to make Belarus a part of Russia.
"Even though it seems to me that Russia itself as an empire is threatened by collapse," he said.
Kristopher Rikken