German mass media: Lukashenka remains unpredictable dictator

Lukashenka’s regime is trying to improve the image of Belarus by the means of PR, but is doing little to improve the real image of the country, journalists from Germany believe.

Head of «Deutsche Welle» Studio in Brussels Cristian Trippe, told on air of the radio station how Belarus is viewed in Europe, in which context it is remembered behind the scenes by politicians in and at the sessions of the European Parliament.

As said by Cristian Trippe, Belarus has a very strange image in the EU, in Brussels, and Lukashenka is viewed as an unpredictable politician. The German journalist gives the following examples: one day Lukashenka seeks rapprochement with Moscow and Vladimir Putin, another day he seems to cut oneself loose from him, then starts his own game, speaking about impropriety of Moscow’s domination and flirting with the West. In general, it is an illogical and unpredictable personality, who hadn’t gained respect in the West, Trippe concludes.

The journalist believes that the Belarusian leader is viewed in Brussels as an Eastern-European Muammar Quaddafi, and one could expect almost anything from him, and who has done practically nothing to improve the image of his country in recent years.

Belarus is viewed as dictatorship

It’s true, Belarusian students, individuals could be met in Europe, but there are no standing contacts with Belarus, the German journalist states. To him mind, the country is dictatorship, a closed zone which is difficult to get into, and where all kind of problems and difficulties could be expected.

It naturally keeps away Europeans, who are used to a life without borders, Trippe says. “That is why Belarus does not attract many people, not many tourists from Europe come there. The country has done little to attract and interest others”. So Belarus cannot shape a certain image in the West, the journalist believes.

He notes that changes in the policy of Lukashenka in recent months are noticed by Brussels, but it is also observed that all his actions are unspecific, amorphous, and no readiness for joint efforts is seen.

Belarusians are more looking up to the West than to Russia

Cristian Trippe thinks that people in Belarus would be glad to see more distinctness in Lukashenka’s actions. It is known that many people in Belarus want to have a possibility to travel in Europe without visas. The German journalist had an impression after his trips to Belarus that people are more looking up to the West than to Russia. Lukashenka could have done more for visa-free travels with the West, for issuing bursaries for students studying in the West, Trippe underlines.

He is sure that Lukashenka is using his relations with the EU as an instrument to successfully insist on his interests in Russia. As said by Trippe, Brussels has an opinion that the West had never been really attractive for Lukashenka, so his image and the image of the country, unfortunately, are poor, and are unlikely to change quickly.