Газета.Ru
the Belarusian President has joined a long list of leaders who refused may 9 to visit Moscow. Formal occasion - "Affairs of the house a lot, and the parade in Minsk without me there is no one to hold". Alyaksandr Lukashenka decency still will keep: he will visit Moscow on may 7-8. The majority of the experts "Газеты.Ru" inclined to believe that this demarche of the President of Belarus, although he had not come to Moscow on may 9.
His decision Alyaksandr Lukashenka told journalists on Saturday in person. According to him, 9 may, he plans to be in Minsk and take the parade on the 70th anniversary of Victory since a military parade may be taken only by the commander-in-chief.
"This is unacceptable when there is no commander in chief, and as many troops withdrawn to the capital, it is, in principle, unacceptable. In Belarus, according to the Constitution, except the commander, no one can take the parade, " he said. - Or so the parade will not, or will be. If there is a President - there will be a parade. We have 9 of may will be such a parade, as in Moscow".
The head of Belarus explained that he still will visit Moscow before the holiday:
"Probably, 7-8 may, we will be delegations from Belarus to visit Moscow, to demonstrate our unity with the Russian people and others. Perhaps lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, how we do it. may 8, there will be more events in the framework of the Eurasian economic Union, the CIS, the CSTO, so of course, I can't help but get into it. Will try on 8 may, even at night, to return home. I like that plan".
All of this Lukashenko said at the Republican subbotnik, which, as reported by the Belarusian state media, "team President carried out work on the device of cement-sand screeds in the rooms and the corridor of the first floor of the building, the children's clinic and put 10 cubic meters of concrete".
Thus, stacking concrete, the Belarusian President had time to condemn those politicians who refuse to come to Moscow for the celebrations in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory for political reasons.
"I don't support the politicians who are ambitious today refuse to attend the celebrations in Moscow, although previously promised. Another thing, when you're busy at home, " he said. - You know, for various reasons, certain leaders of the state may refuse to come to this day in Moscow for the celebrations. For example, if they have appropriate home celebration. We will only be glad to have with us the Victory Day is celebrated in other countries. If this is the plan of attack against Russia and not only against Russia, but against the Soviet people and the peoples of Eastern Europe, which we released. This attack against them. This is wrong."
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov said "Газете.Ru" that does not yet have information about the Lukashenko's refusal to come to the parade in Moscow
In turn, the Belarusian observers had different opinions on the demarche Lukashenko, but equally surprised at this turn of events.
"Home "product", which Lukashenko is now trying to "sell" the international community is its autonomy and independence from Moscow. After the demarche of the European leaders Lukashenko wants to show who he is closer, " said "Газете.Ru" Belarusian politician, Deputy Chairman of the civil campaign "Tell the truth" Andrey Dmitriev. - To become thus closer to the IMF loan. Of course, his position could change, but clearly not for the measly $110 million, which had been planted Moscow. Because they stopped the plants will not start. And this is very important in an election year. Format a simple "No credit - no visit"".
Political analyst Alexander Klaskouski recalls that in early March, the assistant of Vladimir Putin Yuri Ushakov claimed that the Belarusian leader has given consent to attend the parade in Moscow.
"Now the tricky maneuvering the Belarusian leader has attached himself to the company of the democratic leaders, who essentially boycotted the parade in Moscow because of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, " said Klaskouski. - But on the eve of 9 may, Lukashenka will appear in Moscow, so as not to give Putin a formal basis for a grievance".
In turn, the Russian experts interviewed "Газетой.Ru" I saw the solution Lukashenko painful prick in Moscow.
"I think Alexander Lukashenko understands what the speculation has revolved around the presence or absence of a leader at the parade in Moscow, and what he decided to do so, does not contribute to the strengthening of relations between the leaders of Russia and Belarus, - said the Director of the Institute of CIS countries Konstantin Zatulin. Yes, Belarus is also a party to victory and lost a lot of people. But, for example, the President of Armenia will attend the parade in Moscow, although Armenia has lost in the war, 12% of Armenians. On this basis, I consider that Alexander Lukashenko has not done the decent thing.
This is a continuation of the line of the Belarusian President on coaxing the West before the presidential election in the hope the possible exception of the organization of the "orange revolution".
At the same time draws attention to the fact that Lukashenka was absent and in parades in 2005 and 2010. If five years ago, there was some friction with then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in 2005 there were no problems.
That is why the Deputy Zatulin the Institute Vladimir Zharikhin urges not to give the decision of the Belarusian leader too much.
"He in Minsk on 9 may really be a parade, and as commander in chief he really needs to take it. Unlike European States and Ukraine, where the Victory celebration will be held may 8, in Belarus, as we do, it will be the 9th. Therefore, it seems to me, does not make sense to show Lukashenka claims in political terms".
However, the chief editor of the journal Russia in global politics" Fyodor Lukyanov sure that in the current political context, the decision of the President of Belarus not to be regarded as a demarche.
"Whatever was due to Lukashenka's refusal to come to the parade in Moscow, the move certainly has a place, - the expert believes. - This parade has become very politicized forms: in the spotlight is the issue of who is coming and who is not. And every failure is attracting attention. Lukashenko can not do not understand. We can try to organize a similar event at myself this way, to catch and there, and here. But, apparently, he decided not to try. Think thereby Lukashenko seeks to underline its independence, though, when it comes to practical things, demonstrates loyalty".
In mid-March, foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov argued that participation in the celebrations in Moscow confirmed Chapter 26 countries, including the presidents of South Africa and India, and Chinese President XI Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong UN.
Refusal to come to Moscow to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Victory announced the leaders of several Western countries, including U.S. President Barack Obama, President of the European Council Donald Tusk and Prime Minister of great Britain David Cameron.
From the post-Soviet States are not coming leaders of States and governments of Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Also in Moscow on may 9 there will be no Chapter Israel, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Japan.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not attend the military parade on may 9, may 10, but will participate in the ceremony of laying flowers at the Tomb of the unknown soldier in Moscow.