Minsk disagreements
Insulting each other, and even more insulting - is very unconstructive. Hush up the problem is also not entirely correct. I wanted to determine the Russian position on this issue as clearly as possible. Oddly enough, for some reason, it remains a mystery to many in Belarus.
First of all, I wanted to answer about the “imperial ambitions” of Russia. We do not live in the XVII century. There was a time when in Europe there were many different in size and influence of states. They entered into alliances, feuded, fought. But we live here and now. Where is the former great Austria (or rather, what is left of it) on a call from Washington forcibly lands and searches the plane of the President of Bolivia.
Times have changed, now is not the XVIII century and not XIV. It is sad, but that Europe will not be returned. By the way, even in that “happy Europe” of the era of the plague or inquisition, the independence of the countries was very relative. The big countries influenced the smaller, stronger ones to dictate their policies to the weaker ones. Big fish eat small ones. Such is the classic situation.
I understand, it sounds quite cynical and unpleasant. Everyone wants to that “civilized Europe”, where human rights are respected and even the smallest and dubious country (like Estonia) has the same voting right as Germany. I understand - everyone wants a bright fairy tale. Alas, it is impossible. Neighboring Poland with Belarus, which Ukrainians love to cite as an example, sent soldiers to another's war in Iraq. The Americans ordered them, and they went to die and kill in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Are you surprised? And yet it is. Poland has not and cannot have interests in the Mosul region. In the area of Kabul, the Poles, too, could not have interests. However, Polish soldiers were dying in Afghanistan. By order of the Americans. Without question. They traveled to distant Asia and died there. And no one was indignant. They were happy to die for America. After all, in the democratic paradise the democratic gurias were waiting for them.
A little known fact - the Ukrainians participated in the occupation of Iraq. And they also died there in the name of America. And not a single curse in the imperial ambitions was uttered. For the Poles, as well as for the Ukrainians, America is God. And Obama is His prophet. Can you imagine how Belarusians with songs and dances go to the first Chechen? On the second? I understand the question is unpleasant. But I am just drawing analogies (USA - Poland and Russia - Belarus).
You can often find the statement that the United States does not allow itself sharp statements about Poland. It may be so, but the United States does not supply cheap gas, cheap oil to Poland, the Poles may die for the United States, but they need a visa to enter it. Are these friends - "second-class" or third? No, the third is Germany. The United States does not sponsor the Polish economy in any way, but Polish politicians do not pray for them.
These are the relations between “independent” Poland and the United States. The situation with Lithuania - USA is even worse. You just want to cry. What is independence? But everyone is happy with everything. No one is indignant. Lithuanian soldiers are also going where the US will order them. And they die there with a smile on their lips. Did I say something new to someone? All I'm saying is a collection of platitudes. But now the President of Belarus and the entire Belarusian people want some kind of special relationship with Russia. Those that no one else has.
Where one side is obliged and obliged, and the other saintly keeps its independence. No matter how sad it is to talk about it - Belarus had exactly two strategic options for development. The first is a complete reintegration with Russia. In economics, politics, military. That is, Belarus as part of "Big Russia". The standard of living in the end is about as in the Moscow region. Belarus is extremely well located geographically (between Russia and Europe).
The second option is the fate of the country of Ukraine in one sequence or another. You see, there are only two options. They are not three, not five and not ten. There is no "fan of opportunities." He was not there. Next come the fantastic options. Too two.
Option Lukashenko: Russia fully supports, protects and finances its exotic public education. At the same time, he does not even try to get inside Belarus, either economically or politically. The West, as we know, is actively promoting its interests.
Option opposition: Belarus in some fantastic way should jump on the steps of “Euroexpress”. At the same time, Russia continues to support, finance and subsidize the openly unprofitable Belarusian economy. At the same time, the radiant West is pouring its billions into building democracy.
It is best to start from the real picture of the world. Facts and logic help much better than emotions and comics. And yes, without the Belarusian partisans, we would not have won.
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