Expert: Probably, Fully Fledged Border To Appear Between Russia And Belarus In Some Time

A political expert has called the Russia's introduction of a border zone with Belarus a "Moscow's step towards the establishment of a fully-fledged border."

«The process has started. And now if such a multi-layer and a prolonged crisis in the bilateral relations is not resolved, it is possible that we will see the process of building a normal interstate border after some time, as Minsk will be forced to make symmetrical steps. And, accordingly, to some extent, the process of dismantling of the "union state». When Aliaksandr Lukashenka and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin dug up the pole. Now, perhaps, the reverse process will take place, and we will see the striped poles at the Russian-Belarusian border," – Aliaksandr Klaskouski said in his interview to Radio Svaboda.

According to Aliaksandr Klaskouski, this move indicates the growing tension between Belarus and Russia.

«Since the weight classes are very different, there may be all sorts of scenarios. Right up to alarmist ones. We know that in recent years such scenarios have come into fashion. But if not to fall into the alarmism, then maybe this is the case when there is a blessing in disguise. After all, the independent experts have long talked about the falsity of fraternal integration. And they said that it is necessary to build normal relations instead of gambling on the integration.»

According to Klaskouski, the Russian FSS measures are just the elements of border control.

«But if the Russians come out to the green border, start patrolling along the whole line, then, respectively, after a while Belarusian border guards begin to patrol the border symmetrically. Symmetric measures cannot be avoided.»

According to the analyst, in recent years Moscow has impinged upon border and visa issues, which shows "the growth of total distrust to the Belarusian partners on the part of the Russian leadership.»

«I associate this directly with the total crisis in bilateral relations. It is unlikely, that tomorrow it will be somehow resolved and there will be given an order to remote everything back. It is therefore likely that after some time a fully-fledged border will be established.»