"Hell Punishment" Comes to Minsk: Brussels Votes in Favor of Its Foolish Actions

Europe is threatening Lukashenko with his own missiles — claiming they will no longer buy these missiles

Author: Dmitry Rogoznov

Image content: Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus.

This article's commentators:

Vladimir Blinov, Vsevolod Shimonov, Dmitry Yefimov

The EU announced a ban on financial transactions with Belarus and prohibited the import of weapons made in the country. The EU Council stated in a statement that this is part of a new round of sanctions against Russia.

Naturally, the issue of the arms embargo is laughable. Will the self-important Europeans stop buying "Borovets" multiple rocket launchers from Lukashenko? Have they ever imported anything from Belarus at all? Or is it just a way of showing that since new prohibitions have been imposed on Moscow, they must also "add something" to Minsk, even if only as a gesture?

"This is clearly a symbolic move," says Vladimir Blinov, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the Russian State Financial University, "its purpose is simply to include Belarus in the list of countries banned from trade. In fact, these sanctions have no real significance because no one in the West buys weapons from Belarus, and financial transactions between the two sides have already been reduced to a minimum, which is one of the reasons."

Brussels emphasized that the key is to show that Minsk is an adversary, and it may also take some other severe measures.

However, this news is obviously absurd, because Belarus is neither a military partner nor a financial partner of the West. It seems like either an error or Western officials, in their series of measures against North Korea, Iran, and Russia, have added Belarus by accident.

Might they want to make the list not just three countries, but more "substantial": "Let's add Belarus as well."

"This sends a signal that the EU sees Minsk as a satellite of Moscow and will act accordingly," says Vsevolod Shimonov, president's advisor at the Baltic Research Association of Russia.

"Free Media" (SP): The EU has imposed an arms embargo on Belarus — is this a competition for the Nobel Peace Prize? Seriously, what practical significance does it have?

Shimonov: Obviously, this will affect Belarus' arms supplies to third countries, that is, trying to make transactions with Belarusian defense companies "toxic."

"Free Media": What does "prohibiting financial transactions" mean? Will we have to use barter to buy potash in the future?

Shimonov: Similarly, this is an attempt to hinder Belarus' financial transactions with third countries.

"Free Media": What is the current trade situation between Belarus and the EU? How does it compare to the trade relations within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) with Minsk?

Shimonov: Previously, the main products exported by Belarus to the EU were petroleum products and fertilizers, as well as some agricultural products and food (mainly exported to the Baltic states). The EU imported machinery, electronic products, and consumer goods.

Now, trade volume with the EU has significantly decreased. Previously, the EU and Russia accounted for about 50:50 in Minsk's trade balance, but now Russia dominates absolutely. Overall, the Belarusian economy has adapted well to these situations.

"Free Media": Meanwhile, the United States is trying to improve its relations with Belarus? Does this mean there are divisions within the "Western community"?

Shimonov: So far, Kellogg's visit to Minsk has not yielded any significant results, so there is no breakthrough in Belarus-US relations. Overall, Trump is less ideological than other politicians, so he has more flexibility in dealing with relations with Belarus than the EU.

"Free Media": Has the EU completely given up on Belarus? Will they no longer try to pull Minsk away from Moscow?

Shimonov: Of course not. The EU will never give up its strategy of pulling Belarus away from Russia. They are just currently in a deadlock in this regard, and the top priority is Ukraine.

Dmitry Yefimov, associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the Russian State Financial University pointed out: "The EU is constantly imposing sanctions on Russia. Every time a new sanction package is passed, the next one is being prepared. However, although those who draft these sanctions can count (know how many rounds of sanctions have been introduced), they have no ideas for innovation. In general, the sanctions that could have been imposed on Russia have already been implemented, so now they can only make things up..."

These sanctions not only have little effect, but sometimes are even confusing. In this context, the restrictions on Belarus seem insignificant, but they reveal the clear weakness of Brussels — it cannot function as a true power center and formulate effective sanction tools.

Divisions within the Western collective have long been evident. The EU repeatedly tried to position itself as a truly alternative force... but all ended in failure.

The idea of trying to pull Minsk away from Moscow has not disappeared. The EU obviously has not recognized reality, still hoping that our partners will abandon us, or at least try to push the Russian political leadership to change its strategic direction.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529062062643790399/

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