The strongman of Belarus has arrived in China. During a three-day visit to Beijing, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, today, March 1, at a pivotal moment in the Asian giant’s political activity: the upcoming “two sessions”, that is, the annual legislative appointment. But the presence of Vladimir Putin’s main ally comes at a sensitive time for the conflict in Ukraine. Lukashenko, who has never condemned the invasion initiated by the Russian President, is a strong supporter of the 12-point peace plan, the concept paper presented by China and which is viewed with skepticism by the West.
The role of Belarus in the war in Ukraine
It’s not new though. The authoritarian leader, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, played a crucial role in the conflict, so much so that Ukraine has repeatedly expressed its fears that Minsk could actively enter the war, which has not happened until now. But last year, Lukashenko allowed Russia to use his country as a launching pad for an attack that would invade Ukraine, prompting a fierce response from the European Union imposing sanctions on Minsk. But Putin’s friend doesn’t care: Belarus relies on Moscow’s economic and political support, as it turned out when Moscow offered help to quell anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020.
Lukashenko’s visit to China raises Washington’s concerns and speculation that Beijing is approaching Moscow and offering support in the war in Ukraine. In fact, the Asian giant has never taken an official position on the conflict, so much so that it does not describe it as “war”.
“The People’s Republic of China’s relationship with Lukashenko, who has effectively ceded its sovereignty to Russia, is another element of China’s engagement with all those involved in and supporting its brutal war against Russia and Ukraine.” ” said State Department spokesman Ned Price, referring to China, which has lost the focus of US attention in recent weeks due to its alleged military aid to Moscow. It could also have implications for discussions about the potential delivery of Chinese aid to Russia, acting as an intermediary between
Minsk’s confidence in the Chinese “peace plan”.
During the meeting between the Belarusian president and his Chinese counterpart, the conflict in Ukraine came to the fore. Lukashenko’s presence in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square is therefore read by many as a sign of confidence in the Chinese government’s “document of peace.” Rely on a plan in which no distinction is made between the attacker and the attacked, and no one is condemned for conflict.
As stated in the official statement, the Minsk leader expressed “China’s support for the global security plan”, using a phrase referring to key Chinese projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Security initiative. Lukashenko’s endorsement of the Chinese “peace plan” has an implicit message: acknowledging Beijing’s commitment to strengthen its role as a mediator in the conflict.
From the final statements addressing Leader Xi’s remarks, it becomes clear how much Beijing wants to pursue a “political solution” to end the conflict and “abandon the Cold War mentality”. Referring for the first time to the twelve-point document for peace in Ukraine released by Beijing’s foreign ministry last week, Xi stressed that “it is necessary to respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries and to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European architecture,” not to politicize the world economy and He added that we should not exploit” and do things that serve to “solve the crisis peacefully.” China is once again covertly attacking the United States. China’s unstable balance in the war has resulted in Beijing’s attempt to revive the Chinese economy and the growing ideological conflict with the United States. and undermined efforts to forge greater commercial and political ties with the European powers necessary to counter political conflict.
Belarusian ambitions: free trade zone
War was not the only talk between the two leaders. The two countries signed a series of cooperation documents in the economic and commercial, industrial, agricultural, scientific and technological fields and committed to creating free trade and investment space this year. With a population of just 9.3 million, Belarus has a small economy compared to China, but is an important fertilizer producer. Products that Beijing is interested in.
High on Lukashenko’s political agenda, economic support was the focus of talks between Lukashenko and Xi. Increasingly isolated due to Western sanctions, Belarus aims to strengthen its ties with Beijing in order to balance its economic dependence on Russia. Beijing and Minsk have long bilateral relations: The two countries began diplomatic dialogue shortly after Belarus declared independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. strengthened with today’s duo. A statement that reminds of the “boundless” friendship between Xi and Putin a few days before the operation launched by the President of Russia and can confirm the theses of those who accept China’s role in the war in Ukraine.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
