Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin’s interview with Rossiya Segodnya on 12 July covered several points made by Maria Zakharova’s Weekly Briefing, but also went beyond them with additional information as well as responding to a different line of questions.
That was interesting. I think the importance of Belarus to Russia is often overlooked generally. I also think that Lukashenko was Belarus' worst enemy for a period, sitting, as you said, on two chairs, and that it is only after the near coup d'etat that he finally came to his senses to see where his bread was properly buttered. That said, things seem to be moving apace, and I reckon part of that is Moscow realizing that the moves toward the Union State require investment and inducement.
The Russians are clearly in an improved position of increasing import substitution, so there's room to spin off developments to Belarus to broaden the employment opportunities.
Cheers, Karl!
That was interesting. I think the importance of Belarus to Russia is often overlooked generally. I also think that Lukashenko was Belarus' worst enemy for a period, sitting, as you said, on two chairs, and that it is only after the near coup d'etat that he finally came to his senses to see where his bread was properly buttered. That said, things seem to be moving apace, and I reckon part of that is Moscow realizing that the moves toward the Union State require investment and inducement.
Yes, benefits must flow in both directions for the Union State to properly function, just as it ought to be with all multilateral relationships.
The Russians are clearly in an improved position of increasing import substitution, so there's room to spin off developments to Belarus to broaden the employment opportunities.