Rzeczpospolita: Lukashenka is a satrap, decisive actions should be taken against him

Absence of radical steps by the EU relating to the events in Belarus brings fatal consequences to Poland, influential Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita writes.

Publicist Bronislaw Wildstein gives his appraisal of the policy carried out by the Belarusian president in a article titled “Test for European Union”:

“Lukashenka is a satrap, but he has been a rational satrap until now. It’s strange why the simplest (from the viewpoint of international politics) interpretation of his recent actions hasn’t appeared. Lukashenka’s actions against the Polish ethnic community in Belarus should be viewed as testing of the European Union by Moscow.”

As the author supposes, relations between the Belarusian satrap and Russia are not quite clear. Poland and the EU place stake on his independence, but this is common knowledge that Lukashenka’s position in great degree depends on his eastern neighbour.

An issue on national minorities is very sensitive for the European Union, Rzeczpospolita notes. The Treaty of Lisbon should have created the common European diplomacy. Absence of a decisive reaction to Lukashenka’s actions from the EU means that Russia can afford more without fear of being punished.

An ability to play with other states is an old and master method of the Russian policy, Bronislaw Wildstein notes. In any case, a reaction of the EU to actions of the Belarusian authorities is a test, results of which are closely watched by Moscow.

Absence of radical steps by the European Union brings fatal consequences to Poland. As Rzeczpospolita thinks, Poland should exert every effort for this not to happen. At the same time Poland should reply to Lukashenka’s actions by increasing its aid to the Belarusian democratic forces, publicist Bronislaw Wildstein concludes in his article for Rzeczpospolita.