Ales Mikhalevich: Lukashenka wants to ask money from Putin

The Belarusian dictator will ask another loan and “revenues” from the sold state property at a meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Ales Mikhalevich, a former Belarusian presidential candidate, talked to charter97.org about the meeting of Lukashenka and Putin scheduled for March 15 in St Petersburg.

“Russia is interested in discussing privatisation deals. Lukashenka is under huge pressure to make him sell the main part of 'family silver' – the most prospective enterprises interesting for Moscow,” the politician noted.

He stressed that the Belarusian ruler needed another portion of “financial assistance” from the Kremlin.

“The dictator doesn't receive IMF loans and inflows from the West are  insignificant. He is very interested in Russia's resources. One should not forget oil and gas – these deliveries have always been a part of package agreements. The Belarusian ruler will reduce the talks to receiving a loan and money from the sold state property. In simple words, Lukashenka will ask money from Putin,” Ales Mikhalevich says.  

It should be reminded that Russian president Vladimir Putin is expected to participate in a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the “union state” on March 15.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka will pay a working visit to Russia to take part in the meeting.

A “wide range of issues of cooperation in the integration sphere” is planned to be discussed during the meeting in St Petersburg.

The Russian and Belarusian leaders are expected to hold talks before the council meeting.