“Komsomolskaya Pravda”: We shouldn’t forget Lukashenka is a dictator

When it comes to oil, the moral sense often loses its significancy for an unknown reason, the newspaper writes.

The Belarusian ruler received many warm words in particular on occasion of the great event in Lithuania and Belarus’s history, an anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald, “Komsomolskaya Pravda” writes in the article “Lithuania loves ‘Batka’ Lukashenka”.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, a great bicycle fan, made a bicycle tour around Belarus during his holidays. He visited Minsk and invited Lukashenka to join him in his trip. It wasn’t a sole journey of Kubilius to the Belarusian capital, he headed a large delegation.

The mutual interest in developing the relations didn’t start from nothing. It is possible that Belarus may soon get oil and gas not from Russia but from Lithuania. A lot of Lithuanian politologists think that Lukashenka’s flirting with Lithuania is his attempt to demonstrate Moscow its independence in choosing political variants and prove that Minsk can survive without Russian energy. In real fact, Minsk’s opportunities here are rather restricted. Of course, Lukashenka may get oil and gas through Lithuania, which has access to the sea and an oil terminal in Klaipeda. The Lithuanian ruling coalition is going to liquefied natural gas terminal at a quick pace. But how much will this cost?

It was the theme Kubilius and Belarusian leadership discussed. “Belarus shows its big interest in new projects, which would help the country to supply itself with oil and gas independently from Russia. Being a neighbouring state, we’d like to offer our assistance in solving these issues,” Internet portal Delfi quotes Kubilius.

Belarus expressed its desire to take part in the LNG terminal construction, which would provide Belarus’s needs as well. The Belarusians are also interested in oil transiting via Klaipėdos naftа. According to Kubilius, this a commercial issue that needs agreement of both parties, Delfi notes.

When it comes to oil, the moral sense often loses its significancy for an unknown reason. This is exactly what happened to attitude towards Lukashenka, who is no longer called a dictator in Lithuania (at least officially), “Komsomolskaya Pravda” says.