What Do Biden’s Statements About Belarus At The B-9 Summit Mean?

• 23.02.2023, 13:58

Slovak political scientist gives the explanations.

US President Joe Biden ended his visit to Poland with a meeting with the leaders of the Bucharest Nine. Before that, there was a trip to Ukraine. What does the visit of the head of the White House mean for our region?

The Charter97.org website talked about this with the Slovak political scientist, president of the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) (Bratislava) Grigorij Mesežnikov.

– This is a demonstration of the support that the United States, specifically the Joe Biden administration, provides to states that are in close proximity to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. So this is very important. I think there are several factors here. Firstly, the visit to Kyiv and Warsaw itself confirmed that the United States is not only confirming their readiness to support Ukraine but even strengthening it, and that the United States considers the Bucharest Nine states to be representatives of a very important region. In fact, this is also an assessment of the position taken by most of these countries, with very few exceptions, in support of Ukraine. For the United States, this region is of strategic importance in the context of how international relations will generally develop both in Europe and in the world. Russia's actions are essentially threatening the basic foundation of current international relations. So this visit has both symbolic and practical significance.

– Maia Sandu recently stated that provocations in Moldova were prevented thanks to Ukrainian intelligence. The scenario of undermining the situation using Transnistria and military provocations are being seriously discussed. Is there a possibility that Russia will make an attempt, either militarily or in a hybrid way? Can they try to change the power in Chisinau?

– Russia is attempting to do this using its actual resources. It is no coincidence that Biden specifically welcomed Maia Sandu at a meeting with the heads of Central European states in Warsaw. This was also a specific demonstration that the United States knows what is happening in Moldova. Russia, in fact, is blocking the development of Moldova as an independent state by supporting this Transnistrian enclave, and in all likelihood will try to continue its aggressive policy in this regard.

But I think that now Russia appears in a very unfavorable stance because it has lost its links with the sovereign part of the Moldovan territory of the Russian Federation. Again, no one can predict the regime’s further steps (Putin's - ed.), not only some internal provocations but some direct military actions are likely. Despite the fact that there is no direct connection between Russia and Pridnestrovie, Russia has such opportunities due to the absence of borders. The geopolitical position of Moldova in this regard, of course, is vulnerable given the current policy of the Russian Federation. But the strong position of the West and cooperation between Ukraine and Moldova will prevent such developments.

– The leaders of the Bucharest Nine condemned the Lukashenka regime in their statement. Biden also mentioned Belarus in his speech. What do these mean?

– This means that Central Europe has by no means reconciled and will never reconcile with Russia's attempts to subjugate Belarus. Materials have recently been published, from which it follows that Russia is already, in fact, preparing an annexation or a type of “integration” (actually joining) that could lead to the loss of Belarusian statehood. Central Europe does not agree with this and will do everything possible in cooperation with its allies at all levels, political, diplomatic and security, to prevent this from happening. What is currently happening in Belarus is perceived as something final by no means. There are chances for Belarus to retain its statehood. The West will do everything in its power to achieve this.