Little Time Left for Lukashenka, Linas Linkevičius Says

Foreign Minister of Lithuania raised the issue of aggravated relations between Moscow and Minsk.

According to Linas Linkevičius, supporters of independent way of Belarus' development suffer desperate times, and the Lukashenka's time is running dry, delfi.lt writes.

In recent week the topic of aggravated relations between two "Union States" has become more discussed. There are versions stating that the Lukashenka's regime is under threat because Moscow may curb Lukashenka even during "West" military trainings planned for this autumn. Russian soldiers and equipment will deploy in Belarus then.

The head of Foreign Ministry of Lithuania believes that Minsk has little time, anyway.

"I'm not a political scientist, I cannot be guided by assumptions. I can only note that Belarus is not a member of NATO and the EU and not even tends to move in this direction. But these elements of autonomy experience difficult times, they have little time", Linkevičius says.

He recalls that Belarus' integration with Russia in a military, intelligence, economic spheres is getting more intensive. Unlike Lithuania with security guarantees from NATO, Belarus has fewer reasons to talk about its autonomy. Linkevičius notes that although two countries are not allies, but, at least neighbours with good trade relations that makes closer dialogue possible.

"We try to understand each other in issues taken in completely different way? for example, the Astravets NPP. But we would like Belarusians to get closer to the European way of thinking, the dialogue with the EU," Linkevičius says.

"We'd like those times to become memories and there would be more freedom for parties and people. Those who say that it is hard to warm up hope about radical changes in Belarus may be right. But things we do should aim at achievement of some progress," Linkevičius said and noted that one must correctly pay attention to things not meeting international standards and carefully observe the situation development in Belarus.