February 15, Pozirk. Moscow welcomes “any constructive initiatives aimed at normalizing Belarusian-American dialogue” and lifting sanctions, but urges its “Belarusian friends” to proceed with caution, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Russia’s TASS.
The diplomat welcomed Alaksandar Łukašenka’s public statements indicating that any potential “big deal” between Minsk and Washington could be possible only if Belarus’ interests were safeguarded and its cooperation with key allies, including Russia and China, remained unaffected.
Moscow is confident that any attempts by “unfriendly states” to find loopholes in Belarusian and Russian positions on international affairs will prove futile, given the special nature of bilateral relations, he added.
The US administration has not abandoned its policy of pressure on Belarus, Galuzin warned, adding that Washington’s decision to lift sanctions on the Belarusian flagship carrier Biełavija was only partial.
The White House is ready to use economic leverage at any time it deems necessary, including by threatening to revoke concessions and reinstate restrictions, the diplomat noted.
