17.11.2020, Moscow.
Belarus is an invaluable geopolitical factor to Russia on condition that it becomes a part of the country, political scientist and leader of the Essence of Time movement Sergey Kurginyan said on November 7 on the air of the Right to Know program on TVC channel.
“I belong to a small number of people who think that Belarus is easily worth one hundred billion dollars, easily. It is invaluable as a geopolitical factor,” Kurginyan said.
The political scientist explained that Aleksandr Lukashenko’s words about giving Belarus access to one of the Russian oil fields in a recent telephone conversation with the Russian president are very important.
“So, we want to say – here I answer only on my own behalf, I understand what outrage they can stir up – but I think that Paris is well worth a mass [words allegedly said by French King Henry IV, who renounced Protestantism and converted to Catholicism to secure his hold on the French crown – translator’s note]. We will give not one but several oil fields to the Belarusian elite. We will give even more for one thing: for a direct merger of Belarus with Russia. A direct, final, and complete merging. Do they want to combine the elite capabilities with us?” emphasized Kurginyan.
He stressed that Belarus is worth it if this merger happens in an absolutely normal and unitary fashion, without destroying the Constitution of the country, and it will strengthen Russia. Kurginyan added, then Lukashenko can receive much as a politician, the Belarusian elite will also receive a lot, and Russia will get a geopolitical factor. “And it is invaluable for us now, in the situation we are in,” the political scientist emphasized.
Presidents Putin and Lukashenko discussed the possibility of oilfield acquisition by Belarus in a telephone conversation on November 4.
Background
The Treaty on Union State between Russia and Belarus was signed on April 2, 1997. The Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko actively promoted the document. The parties planned to unite the legislative base, authorities, as well as currency and market.
The integration process began to slow down due to political and economic disagreements. In particular, the Belarusian president repeatedly claimed the risk of losing state sovereignty, allegedly under Russia’s pressure. He also accused Moscow of unwillingness to abolish customs duties.
Another important topic in the bilateral relations between Russia and Belarus is the sale of Russian oil and gas at preferential prices. At the same time, the stability of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s political system largely depends on the subsidies that are included in the price of Russian hydrocarbons.
Recent years have also seen an escalation of Lukashenko’s political rhetoric, who is ready to talk about the Great Patriotic War as a “foreign” war for Belarus. On the one hand, the Belarusian leader claims fraternal relations with Moscow and the unity of the people, and on the other hand, every year the polemics about the Union Treaty and prices for oil and gas intensify.
Both vectors of behavior are aimed at extending Lukashenko’s own power, including maintaining economic stability through Russian discounts.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
