The resignation of Babich: the victory of Minsk and the defeat of Moscow?
On the eve of a very significant event. Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Belarus Mikhail Babich was removed from his post. Instead, President Putin appointed Dmitry Mezentsev. The unusually vigorous activity of Babich and his statements provoked irritation in Minsk, as the Russian ambassador bluntly spoke “about money” and demanded some kind of response. Does his resignation mean the collapse of the Kremlin’s attempt to lead a tougher policies in relation to Belarus?
In his position, Mikhail Babich lasted less than a year. His indelicate work style contrasted sharply with his predecessors. The Russian ambassador traveled to the Belarusian regions, met with representatives of large enterprises and the opposition, actively interviewed the press. Babich did not hesitate to raise the issue of violations that the local business allowed itself by re-exporting sanctioned products banned in Russia.
The biggest anger of Minsk was caused by the statements of the ambassador, who publicly estimated the annual support of Belarus to Russia at the level of 5-6 billion dollars. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry called Babich a “bookkeeper” and advised not to confuse a sovereign state with the federal district of the Russian Federation, since relations between our countries and peoples are “much deeper and more comprehensive” than those “base” figures that the Russian diplomat constantly appeals to.
So why did Mikhail Babich act like a "bad cop"? It is very likely that the ambassador was tasked with pushing Minsk towards the speedy fulfillment of its integration obligations within the Union State. Actually, the diplomat directly stated this in one of his interviews. According to him, about compensation for the so-called. “Tax maneuver”, cheap loans and low-cost gas can only be spoken after the real unification of the two fraternal countries.
In fact, “from a snap” it was not possible to solve the problem. Alexander Lukashenko rested and in every possible way demonstrated his readiness to “stand to death” for the sovereignty of Belarus. The last straw was the “dirty oil” scandal, which provided a convenient informational background for removing the ambassador from office.
Can this be considered the “victory” of Minsk and the “defeat” of Moscow? The question is not entirely clear. Alexander Grigorievich showed worthy of resilience, defending the interests of his country. “Breaking through the knee” was initially not the right decision. Obviously, certain conclusions were made, and the "good cop" Dmitry Mezentsev replaced him.
Mezentsev - a native of St. Petersburg, a man from the team of Anatoly Sobchak. He has a degree in psychology, at the mayor's office of the “northern capital” he previously headed the committee on print and media. Dmitry Mezentsev has extensive political experience gained as Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Russian political scientist Nikolai Mezhevich explains that the new Russian ambassador is familiar with all the nuances of cooperation between Moscow and Minsk with Beijing:
And this can play a key role if the Kremlin decided to switch from a carrot to a carrot.
In his position, Mikhail Babich lasted less than a year. His indelicate work style contrasted sharply with his predecessors. The Russian ambassador traveled to the Belarusian regions, met with representatives of large enterprises and the opposition, actively interviewed the press. Babich did not hesitate to raise the issue of violations that the local business allowed itself by re-exporting sanctioned products banned in Russia.
The biggest anger of Minsk was caused by the statements of the ambassador, who publicly estimated the annual support of Belarus to Russia at the level of 5-6 billion dollars. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry called Babich a “bookkeeper” and advised not to confuse a sovereign state with the federal district of the Russian Federation, since relations between our countries and peoples are “much deeper and more comprehensive” than those “base” figures that the Russian diplomat constantly appeals to.
So why did Mikhail Babich act like a "bad cop"? It is very likely that the ambassador was tasked with pushing Minsk towards the speedy fulfillment of its integration obligations within the Union State. Actually, the diplomat directly stated this in one of his interviews. According to him, about compensation for the so-called. “Tax maneuver”, cheap loans and low-cost gas can only be spoken after the real unification of the two fraternal countries.
In fact, “from a snap” it was not possible to solve the problem. Alexander Lukashenko rested and in every possible way demonstrated his readiness to “stand to death” for the sovereignty of Belarus. The last straw was the “dirty oil” scandal, which provided a convenient informational background for removing the ambassador from office.
Can this be considered the “victory” of Minsk and the “defeat” of Moscow? The question is not entirely clear. Alexander Grigorievich showed worthy of resilience, defending the interests of his country. “Breaking through the knee” was initially not the right decision. Obviously, certain conclusions were made, and the "good cop" Dmitry Mezentsev replaced him.
Mezentsev - a native of St. Petersburg, a man from the team of Anatoly Sobchak. He has a degree in psychology, at the mayor's office of the “northern capital” he previously headed the committee on print and media. Dmitry Mezentsev has extensive political experience gained as Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Russian political scientist Nikolai Mezhevich explains that the new Russian ambassador is familiar with all the nuances of cooperation between Moscow and Minsk with Beijing:
China, as a great power, is not interested in the contradictions between our countries, since Belarus has a special transit role in its project “One belt - one way”.
And this can play a key role if the Kremlin decided to switch from a carrot to a carrot.
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