Political Analyst Says Lukashenko’s Visits to Putin and Xi Are a Bid to Hold Onto Power.

Lukashenko Meets with Putin and Xi Jinping

According to Espreso.tv: Political analyst Oleh Lisnyi has weighed in on the recent meetings between Belarus’s self-declared president, Alexander Lukashenko, and leaders Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. According to Lisnyi, these diplomatic moves are part of Lukashenko’s effort to maintain his grip on power amid mounting challenges. On June 26, 2023, Lukashenko traveled to Russia, where he met with President Putin at the Valdai Discussion Club. Just two days later, on June 28, 2023, after wrapping up talks with Putin, he flew to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Lisnyi emphasized that Lukashenko does not act as the leader of a sovereign state but rather functions as a regional overseer, akin to a gauleiter. The analyst also noted that Lukashenko is well aware of the serious risks to both himself and his regime should a full-scale war break out in Ukraine. As Lisnyi put it:

“Lukashenko understands that if there is a full-scale war with Ukraine, it would pose a severe threat to him and his regime.” — Oleh Lisnyi

Lukashenko Ramps Up International Engagement

Against this backdrop, Lukashenko has intensified his activity on the global stage, striving to maintain a multi-vector foreign policy. According to Lisnyi, “That’s why Lukashenko is activating his multi-vector approach: he’s courting the Americans, the Chinese, Ukraine, and Putin all at once.” This behavior reflects Lukashenko’s drive to preserve his political standing as both domestic and foreign policy challenges for Belarus grow more complex.

Lukashenko’s meetings with Putin and Xi Jinping underscore his search for support during a turbulent period for Belarus. As internal problems and external pressures escalate, he is working to project diplomatic engagement, signaling a desire to remain a fixture on the political scene. These developments highlight the critical role international relations play for Lukashenko’s regime in the face of potential threats looming on the horizon.