CPD: The Kremlin Is Losing Influence Even in Belarus Amid the War Against Ukraine
Due to the war against Ukraine, Russia is gradually losing its foreign policy influence, including in Belarus, according to a statement released on June 30 by the Center for Countering Disinformation. The Center notes that Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to China indicates Minsk’s attempts to balance between Moscow and other centers of influence.
The Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine reported this on Telegram.
“Lukashenko’s latest visit to China—which the Belarusian leader is using as a counterweight to Russia—is yet another manifestation of the already established trend of Russia’s loss of foreign policy clout. After Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, Russia is losing influence even over its main satellite state,” the statement reads.
As noted, Lukashenko’s unannounced visit to Beijing was at least his fourth since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This latest trip took place immediately after Lukashenko’s talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and against the backdrop of yet another attempt by the Kremlin to increase pressure on Belarus to draw it deeper into the war.
The Center for Political and Strategic Analysis also noted that, on the eve of Lukashenko’s visit, Belarus, at Ukraine’s request, shut down relay stations that had been helping Russian drones carry out strikes against Ukraine.
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