Did Medvedev refused to visit Minsk on Lukashenka’s invitation?
- 2.07.2009, 9:19
Belarus will celebrate the Day of Liberation of Minsk from Nazi Troops in a big way. It is still unknown who of the Russian leadership will take part in the event.
Secretary of State of the Russian-Belorussian “union state” Pavel Borodin told in early June about invitation of Dmitry Medvedev. Russia hasn’t given an official answer so far. However, Medvedev sent congratulation to Alyaksandr Lukashenka yesterday: “It is very important to preserve our friendship and mutual respect, which has been so deeply tried and tested, and which remains a steady foundation for further developing our ties.”
Judging by the congratulation on Kremlin’s website, Medvedev won’t come to Minsk.
“If Russian high-ranking politicians are not present at the celebration, it will mean that our relations are still in conflict,” Belarusian politologists told “Vremya Novostei”. Moscow-Minsk relations have overclouded recently. In June, the countries had a trade conflict, during which Belarusian dairy products were not allowed to the Russian market. New tension on gas supplies are not excluded between the union states. Gazprom demanded Minsk to pay a $244 billion debt, but Belarus denies it has a debt. Minsk is dissatisfied with Moscow’s unwillingness to grant a $500 million credit.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka also reproached Russia with a condition under which it can get the loan – recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Minsk promised to settle this issue at the last “parliamentary” session. It closed on June 30, but the issue of recognition of the two republics wasn’t even put on the agenda.
Less economic support from Moscow has a negative impact on Minsk’s brotherly feelings. Belarusian politologist Alyaksandr Klaskouski turned attention of “Vremya Novostei” to the fact that this year, the theme of “combat brotherhood with the Russians is limited“ in traditional speech of Belarusian officials but they “contain less anti-Western and anti-NATO rhetoric”. Klaskouski reminded: “there was a period in contemporary history when the Belarusian leadership associated the integration with Moscow with triumphal entering the Kremlin. In those times, the values uniting the two countries were highlighted.”
This year, the Belarusians speak more about the common historic past rather then about the common future. A military parade will take place in Minsk on July 3, Lukashenka will lay flowers the Victory Monument. The solemn events have been celebrated in Minsk since the last weekend. The celebration is held in a noble scale because this is the 65th anniversary of Minsk’s liberation.