Why is Belarus a strategic country and unconditional ally of Russia?

In the midst of the tug-of-war between Russia and the West, there is a strategic and key country for Vladimir Putin: Belarus. The country ruled since 1994 with an iron hand by Aleksandr Lukashenko, has received in recent weeks thousands of Russian troops on its territory as part of joint military exercises, showing the strong alliance between both nations, in an exercise of power and intimidation before the danger of an imminent invasion of Ukraine.

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As part of that joint narrative between Putin Y Lukashenkothe latter pointed out this Thursday that “If necessary, we will deploy not only nuclear weapons, but supernuclear weapons, promising weapons, in order to defend our territory”in a direct warning to the NATO and to the Western countries he tried to “rivals and opponents”.

“Belarus is our strategic partner, close friend and ally. We in Russia highly appreciate your steadfastness in confronting the destructive line of the West and your willingness to create a common defense space on the borders of the State Union. In this regard, you [presidente Lukashenko] You can always count on our strong support.” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said this week.

In reality, it is a relationship based on interest and geopolitical influence.

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko take a break during a match of the Night Hockey League teams in Rosa Khutor in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, February 7, 2020. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo (POOL New/)

Belarus It is strategically located: it is bordered to the west by Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, which are members of the NATOsouth with Ukraine and east with Russia. It also belongs to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that Moscow formed in 1992 after the Cold War and to counteract NATO, the Atlantic alliance that is the Kremlin’s worst nightmare. With Belarusthe CSTO is made up of other allies of Russia such as Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, all former Soviet republics.

According to analyst Steven Lamy, director of the College of International Relations at the University of Southern California, the countries bordering Russia are great natural allies since they have been part of the Soviet orbit and tend to be pro-Russian, since many speak their language and feel identified more with Russia than with Western Europe, something that -precisely- does not happen with the western part of Ukraine. “It is part of Russian history and its traditions. Russia sees itself as a great power and does not want potential enemies on its borders”he explains to the Spanish portal Newtral.

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However, not everything has been affinity in the relationship between the two countries. Yes OK, Lukashenko he is pro-Russian, he is much more interested in continuing to hold power, as he has been doing for almost three decades.

As “The Washington Post” recalls, two years ago Lukashenko He wanted to cut off his dependence on Moscow, however, in 2020 the alliance was strengthened due to the massive protests that put the Belarusian autocrat in check.

“Putin bailed him out, promising to send Russian troops if necessary. In return, Lukashenko has effectively made Belarus part of Russia’s military space.”says the American media.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko attends joint exercises with Russia’s armed forces near the town of Osipovichi, outside Minsk, on February 17, 2022. (Maxim GUCHEK/BELTA/AFP)

For Russia, it is also a convenient relationship. Speaking to Deutsche Welle, Gustav Gressel, from the Brussels think tank ECFR, explains that a change of government would not be frowned upon by the Kremlin, as long as it does not stop being pro-Russian or imply a change of direction of the country towards the West, the EU or even the NATO.

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Added to this is the fact that, last November, Putin Y Lukashenko They signed a set of integration agreements framed in 28 points where the strategic cooperation between both countries is strengthened.

military exercises

According to the secretary general of the NATOJens Stoltenberg, some 30,000 soldiers, fighters, Iskander missiles and S-400 air defense systems participate in the maneuvers in Belarus, called “Allied Determination 2022”, and described them as the “largest military deployment” in that country since the end of the Cold War.

The Russian and Belarusian armed forces carry out joint military exercises in the Mogilev region, in Belarus, exercises that continue to worry NATO and Ukraine. REUTERS (BELTA /)

just this friday Lukashenko Y Putin they will meet in Moscow on the withdrawal of the soldiers participating in these exercises, which were supposed to end on February 20.

“If we make the decision that it be a month, they will be a month. The Armed Forces will be there as long as they are necessary. This is our land, our territory”sentenced the Belarusian president.

According to the dictator Lukashenkothe two countries are holding the joint exercises because NATO has strengthened its presence near the borders of both countries, including in neighboring Poland and Lithuania.

So much Belarus What Russia have refused to give explanations to the member countries of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) under the so-called Vienna Document that seeks to promote transparency in the movement of troops, because they allege that the exercises do not have a such as to have to be notified under confidence building measures.

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Source: Elcomercio