Kazakevich: “The authorities react quite nervously to attempts to involve Russia and the opposition in negotiations”

Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei visited Moscow, where he made several important political statements (https://gazetaby.info/post/makej-my-ponimaem-v-realnosti-chto-krym-yavlyaetsy/181018).

The official spoke about recognizing Crimea as Russian, the conference in Vienna, and the migration crisis.

Filin (https://gazetaby.info/category/filin/) discussed these topics with political scientist Andrei Kazakevich.

As for Crimea, Makei said that Belarus’s position had not changed: “We understand that in reality this is Russian territory.”
“By and large, this is a continuation of the policy that the Belarusian authorities adopted immediately after 2014,” Andrei Kazakevich believes. “This means recognizing Crimea as de facto Russian and not emphasizing that de jure it still remains Ukrainian.”

Andrei Kazakevich.

Photo by Radio Liberty
This position has been voiced many times already, that we proceed from realities.

The main message was naturally aimed at the Russian audience in order to gain some support.

At the same time, there has been no full formal recognition, but it is not required either.

The final recognition would probably be an official visit there by Alexander Lukashenka.

Or open cooperation with Russian companies in Crimea, the implementation of investment projects there.

Such a step would mean more.

The main factor restraining this is Ukraine’s position.

Its reaction could be very harsh.

If the statements by Lukashenka and Savinykh were aimed at probing Ukraine’s position, showing that there is yet another lever of pressure on Kyiv, namely the final recognition of Crimea as Russian, then Makei’s words are aimed rather at de-escalation.

That is, everything remains as it was.

The minister also spoke about the conference planned for 22 November in Vienna by the Austrian authorities.

Makei called it an “unfriendly step” toward Belarus.

Before that, the official authorities had not commented on this event in any way.
“We do not fully know the entire process of preparing the conference,” Kazakevich continues. “Perhaps the Austrian side made some mistakes, including in the title.

In addition, this is a format that is absolutely unacceptable to the Belarusian authorities.

It is one thing if this is a platform where the Lukashenka regime and European politicians will speak, and quite another when third and fourth parties are present.

Perhaps mechanisms of indirect communication, or communication at the expert level, could have been devised.

Maybe such an option would work.

But the format of a conference involving the authorities, the opposition, Russia, and Europe is very inconvenient for the regime.

They would like to have direct contact with European countries and are ready only for that.

As soon as the opposition appears in negotiations, official Minsk blocks such initiatives and reacts very harshly.

The authorities react quite nervously when Russia is being drawn into the negotiation process.

And the participation of alternative political forces, which Minsk does not recognize as political subjects, is completely unacceptable.

Makei also once again stated that Minsk is ready to resolve the migration crisis jointly with Brussels.

Can this be seen as an invitation to negotiations?
“There have been many phrases that the authorities are ready to begin communication on this topic with Brussels or national European governments.

I think some consultations through diplomatic channels are taking place.

But for full-fledged negotiations, additional actions are needed from both sides.

Perhaps the authorities want a negotiation format that would effectively recognize the results of the 2020 election and also lift sanctions.

The European side may also have additional demands concerning human rights and new elections.

And all this complicates a possible conversation.

Source (https://gazetaby.info/post/kazakevich-vlast-dostatochno-nervno-reagiruet-na-p/181055/)