Blows From Paris: The Way Macron Makes Lukashenka Nervous
- 20.02.2022, 10:17
The President of France gets in the dictator's hair.
The President of France shows a leadership position in European politics, and this leads to trouble for the Belarusian authorities. Solidarity traced the history of relations between Emmanuel Macron and Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
Lukashenka began arguing in absentia with Macron even before August 2020
In the summer of 2018, at the final of the World Cup in Russia, the only personal meeting between Aliaksandr Lukashenka and Emmanuel Macron took place. The video camera recorded how, in an informal setting, the experienced head of Belarus tried to convey something to the new president of France.
Since then, Lukashenka began to argue in absentia with Macron. In 2019, he saddled the theme of the behavior of the French police against the "yellow vests".
France was the stronghold of democracy. Who persecuted the "yellow vests" recently?.. As soon as it touched not even the very foundations of the state, but the power of the same Macron, whom they demanded should resign — they used tear gas and water cannons in winter. Not clubs, but rubber bullets. Here is democracy for you," Lukashenka tried to draw a comparison, omitting the fact that in France the protesters erected barricades, clashed with the police, and there was vandalism.
On the eve of the 2020 presidential elections, the ruler of Belarus stated that he allegedly talked with Macron about the "yellow vests" movement:
"They have everything there. Including double standards. And now, on the eve of the presidential elections, they are already beginning to hint to us: like, make sure that everything is democratic, so that God forbid there are no clashes in the street ... I recently told Macron: look what your "yellow vests" are doing and how you fight there!"
In August-September 2020, Macron supported peaceful protesters and offered his help in resolving the crisis.
The French President called on Lukashenka to leave his post ("it is obvious that Lukashenka must go") and showed admiration from the peaceful demonstrators ("women who hold processions every Saturday deserve special respect").
Macron said that the European Union is ready to mediate in resolving the situation in Belarus, and also called on the Russian president to help resolve the situation.
In response, Lukashenka quipped: he, in turn, could be an intermediary between the "yellow vests" and the President of France.
Macron hoped for a dialogue with Lukashenka for a long time
Despite the brutal crackdown on protests in Belarus and violence against demonstrators, the EU has long refused to impose sanctions against Lukashenka. In October 2020, Macron explained that taking such measures would mean abandoning the dialogue and expressed the hope that it could be launched through the OSCE.
Despite the French president's calls to release political prisoners, Lukashenka not only did not negotiate, but began mass political repressions in the country.
During the migration crisis, Macron called for pressure on Lukashenka
In the autumn of 2021, the situation on the Polish border escalated: thousands of migrants from the Middle East stormed it from the territory of Belarus. Macron was one of those who contributed to the resolution of the migration crisis.
If German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the problem directly with Lukashenka, Macron discussed it with Vladimir Putin. It was reported that "they agreed on the need to de-escalate the crisis, but differed in assessing its causes."
Later, Macron announced the need to continue pressure on Lukashenka, and reiterated his full solidarity with Poland.
Macron continues to discuss Lukashenka's behavior with Putin
In early February, the negotiations between Putin and Macron in Moscow were again marked by the fact that politicians discussed the "Belarusian topic" without the participation of Lukashenka.
— I expressed my concern to President Putin in connection with the new draft Constitution of Belarus, which involves the abolition of two fundamental provisions on its status from 1994, as well as in connection with the statement of President Lukashenka on December 27 on nuclear weapons. In this regard, I received assurances from President Putin, — the French President said after the talks.
In addition to assurances that no nuclear weapons would be deployed in Belarus, Macron was promised that after the end of the Allied Resolve exercises, the Russian troops would leave the territory of our country.
Lukashenka is unlikely to enjoy this situation: there is a risk that someday his fate will be decided without his participation.