According to vital Rymasheuski Minsk is now trying to dissociate themselves from Russia, but it is very difficult

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko. Photo: AFP

What do the different dates of independence Day of Belarus, why Alexander Lukashenko is trying to diversify the country’s economy after years enjoyed subsidies from Moscow and access to the Russian market that Kiev can do to improve the image of Ukraine in the Belarusian society – this in an interview with “Today” said Belarusian political and public figure, co-Chairman of the party Belarusian Christian Democracy vital Rymasheuski.

Vital Rymasheuski. Photo: facebook.com/RymasheuskiVital

Belarus celebrates on July 3 the independence Day. However, until 1996, the feast day was July 27. What is the difference between these dates?

– The fact that, on 27 July 1990 the Supreme Soviet of the BSSR adopted the Declaration on state sovereignty. It is as significant event as the Declaration of independence of Lithuania, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics. In Belarus it was not as dramatic as in Lithuania, but no less important. Therefore, this date was wearing exactly the context of the independence of Belarus from the Soviet Empire and of Moscow as from the unqualified evil.

In 1994, Alexander Lukashenko came to power. He went to the authorities under absolutely other slogans, he said that the collapse of the Soviet Union is a tragedy, too bad that destroyed the “great country”, etc., among other questions, he put to the referendum, which was held with great violations, the issue of the transfer of the celebration of the independence day of Belarus.

Moved it to July 3. In my opinion, the date was chosen quite accidentally. This is the day of liberation of Minsk from the Nazi troops. Difficult this day is called independence day all over the country, but found more or less the earliest date at that time. The connotation of the dates were quite different in the context of the main purpose of Alexander Lukashenko to change the direction of the development of public policy: commemoration of the July 27 meant a positive evaluation of the fact of the collapse of the Soviet Union, while Lukashenko stated only in a negative way, he sought to deprive Belarus of independence and become President of the Union state of Belarus and Russia.

The history of this Federal government is long, began under Yeltsin. How would you describe the process of creating this “state” and the relations of Belarus and Russia during this time?

– Of course, this was soil, as was the post-Soviet nostalgia in Belarus, as in almost all former USSR. Lukashenko played on these feelings, the people lived in poverty, the accused leaders who took part in the collapse of the Soviet Union (Boris Yeltsin, Leonid Kravchuk and Stanislav Shushkevich – Ed.). In Russia, however, had strong nationalistic tendencies, the Imperial tendencies there has always been preserved, and there pursued his goal to restore the Empire.

Alexander Lukashenko (he talked about this in an interview) pursued a specific goal: he said that Belarus for his past stage, he seeks to create and lead a Federal state. These illusions he harbored long enough, at least, 15 years of his reign. It was popular in Russian regions, but in Moscow it was put in place, had discredit in the Russian media. I think now he realized that he had no chance to claim the role of leader of the Union state, the prospect of becoming a complete vassal of the Kremlin as the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov. By the way, just a week ago, after a meeting with Putin, he said that Belarus has a difficult economic situation, they say, we are both on the front line, if it fails, we have to be part of the state. As it was after the meeting with Putin, it is clear what kind of state it is. Moreover, for all these years, Alexander Lukashenko, seeking to realize their personal ambitions, pursued a policy that has destroyed the sovereignty of Belarus: the signed masses of the contracts, including the military, virtually destroyed the Belarusian language, it will have to restore from scratch.

Of course, after the occupation of Crimea and the outbreak of the war in the Donbas, Lukashenko realized that Russia is a threat for his personal power. Now the Belarusian authorities are trying to do something to dissociate itself from Russia, even in cultural terms, but this is reminiscent of the flutter fish, trying to escape from the network, in which she swam well for a long time.

What is today Belarus is dependent on Russia?

First, the most dangerous is the mental addiction. Is stored in the Belarusian mentality, the eye and mental connection with Russia. For example, cheer for the Russian football team, although many young people and opposition-minded people rooting against the opposite. Mental connection with the Russian is still there. Russia is working through foundations, TV stations, non-governmental organizations of various kinds, which are financed from Russia. Although time goes on, it puts everything in its place; even against the actions of Lukashenka, Belarusians understand that we are a separate nation and country.

Second: it’s the economy. Lukashenko has pegged the Belarusian economy to Russia. Previously, Belarus has survived due to the resale of oil and gas, in fact, indirect Russian subsidies.

The third point based on: the agreement, including in the military sphere, signed by Alexander Lukashenko. They oblige Belarus to be Russia’s ally in case of military conflict.

Fourth relationship: the personnel security services of the KGB, who trained in Moscow. I think many are there just to recruit. The same personnel dependence is at the army, where a sense of belonging with Russia are stronger than those of other officials and civil servants.

Can we say in such a situation that the authoritarianism of Alexander BowandSchenk saves Belarus from absorption of the RF?

– I can confirm that the 15 years of the authoritarian Lukashenko worked for the destruction of Belarus ‘ independence. There are prerequisites, and cultural, political, who say that the Belarusian nation is a reality. Lukashenko worked more on the destruction of the Belarusian nation, in fact, prepared a creeping occupation of Russia. Only in the last four years, he started to save himself, trying to dissociate themselves from Russia. Yes, it happens that the authoritarian government in times of crisis helps the country to stand against the other aggressor state. But Lukashenka has pursued a policy of destruction of the Belarusian statehood.