{"id":192043,"date":"2026-06-16T14:03:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T11:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/192043\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T14:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T11:03:29","slug":"lavrovs-minsk-visit-signals-kremlins-unease-over-lukasenkas-western-contacts","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/192043\/","title":{"rendered":"Lavrov\u2019s Minsk visit signals Kremlin\u2019s unease over \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s Western contacts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed at a news conference in Minsk on June 15 that Belarus and Russia remain fully committed to their military alliance. However, he noted that \u201cwe see the designs of those who are trying to find gaps in our approaches and, as they say in Russian, drive a wedge.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remark appeared to be a reference to Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s recent contacts with European and US politicians.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n (Belarusian, US and Ukrainian leader's websites, flickr.com \/ Pozirk's collage)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Macron\u2019s envoy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lavrov made the comment two weeks after sources reported on June 3 that Nicolas Lerner, head of France\u2019s Directorate-General for External Security, had visited Minsk the previous week. The visit came shortly after a phone conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to unconfirmed reports, Lerner warned the Belarusian strongman of serious political, economic, and international consequences should he decide to join Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine more directly or allow Belarusian territory to be used for the deployment of nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the phone conversation, Macron reportedly urged the Belarusian autocrat to open up to engagement with Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition politician Pavie\u0142 \u0141atu\u0161ka, a former Belarusian ambassador to France who recently met with French diplomats and politicians, said that \u0141uka\u0161enka appeared to rule out further releases of jailed dissidents unless the European Union eased sanctions on Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what was the content of the discussions, these meetings and conversations must have alarmed Moscow. Clearly, Lavrov, during his routine visit to Minsk, seized the opportunity to learn more about contacts between \u0141uka\u0161enka and Paris and possibly warn him against any dealings behind Moscow\u2019s back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Europe has become Russia\u2019s enemy number one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While in Minsk, Lavrov lashed out at European leaders for trying to persuade US President Donald Trump to \u201cdepart from the line he proposed himself and which President [Vladimir] Putin supported during the summit in Anchorage. And, as you know, so far they have succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moscow may be alarmed by \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s negotiations with US<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although Putin held a phone conversation with Trump on his 80th birthday, relations between Moscow and Washington remain strained. Lavrov blamed European politicians for this state of affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Belarusian ruler appears to have made significant progress in negotiations with his friend Donald toward a \u201cgrand bargain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kremlin has been watching the process jealously. Moscow reportedly already warned \u0141uka\u0161enka against flying to the United States for the inaugural meeting of Trump\u2019s Board of Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More recently, US-Belarusian talks stalled. John Coale, the US special envoy for Belarus, did not travel to Minsk in May as planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few days ago, however, Coale said he was planning to visit Belarus \u201csoon,\u201d suggesting that a new phase of talks may be approaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These \u201cseparate\u201d negotiations must have irritated Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lavrov likely raised the issue during his meeting with \u0141uka\u0161enka in Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelensky\u2019s \u201cimpunity\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Moscow also appears concerned about warnings and threats directed by Kyiv at \u0141uka\u0161enka over any deeper involvement in Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Minsk, Lavrov stressed that Zelensky \u201cnow feels full impunity and wants to capitalize on this opportunity to show how tough he is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyiv may be seeking to stir up tensions in relations between Minsk and Moscow while demoralizing its co-aggressor, which it sees as the weaker link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lavrov sought to bolster \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s confidence and warn him against backing away from the alliance with Moscow. His visit was therefore primarily a preventive conversation with a vassal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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