Aleksei Navalny: Lukashenka's Regime Supported For Expense Of Russian Citizens

The Russian politician spoke about what he thinks about the subsidies that Putin gives to Lukashenka.

Warsaw hosts the Forum of Boris Nemtsov on October 9-10. During the discussion of opposition politician Alexei Navalny with political scientist, professor of Stanford University Francis Fukuyama, the issue of integration of Belarus and Russia was touched upon, Charter97.org reports.

- Integration of Belarus and Russia - to what extent is it realistic?

- The protocol on integration, published in the newspaper, is undoubtedly a desirable option for the Russian authorities. They dream about such an option, when transit will be carried out in such a way, that Belarus will become a part of a federal or confederative state. And Putin will thus be elected for the first term in the new state. But there is probably the main obstacle here, which is called Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who is also not a fool, and he will be more experienced in such intrigues and things.

But what, as it seems to me, will the Kremlin leadership do? Given the difficult economic situation and the small size of the Belarusian economy, they will play on the worsening of the economic situation and an attempt to sell the idea: "Come to us, guys, the salary and pension will be twice as much!" And we will see an interesting game of two authoritarian leaders. But I don't think it will happen in this way, although it cannot be ruled out. But the Kremlin certainly dreams about it. I think Lukashenka does not dream, but the economy is the economy.

- How do you see the relationship between the two countries in the "beautiful Russia of the future"?

- I know that the word integration scares us, but in principle we do not need to invent anything in terms of relations between Russia and Belarus. Beautiful relations, international trade, everyone is pleased and happy, just don't do anything and everything will be fine.

- How do you feel about the subsidies that Putin gives to the Lukashenka regime?

- I have a negative opinion regarding the subsidies, because they are provided at the expense of the citizens of the Russian Federation. This is a kind of strange geopolitical game, but this game is being played at the expense of Russian citizens. If Belarus needs Russia's support, and it does need it, and it is okay, we can support it under some normal, reasonable acceptable market conditions, - the politician said.

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