Putin's "last night with his former harem"

Russia will pay very dearly for Putin's irrational whim to have not only Lukashenko, but also the leaders of Central Asian countries on his Victory Day. Moreover, he will pay (and is already paying) literally, in the economic sense.

Let me remind you that Putin paid for breakfast in the Granite Chamber of the Kremlin, a one-hour parade, a quick joint flower laying, and lunch for 6.5 leaders (6.5 because Lukashenko, who is obviously ill, could not find the strength to stay for lunch). Russia will pay for the presence of the leaders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Although Belarus will also have to contribute something.

Lukashenko has, in fact, fully accepted the role of a "political escort" - he needs money and new loans, and that's what he came for. Moreover, he came in a state where he should have been lying quietly under an intravenous drip (and many noticed the bandage on Lukashenko's right hand that was not removed): Belarusian publics note that Lukashenko did not have the strength to even give a traditional speech, entrusting it to the Minister of Defense. This very clearly emphasizes the nature of the relationship between Putin and Lukashenko, the degree of dependence of the Belarusian dictator, and his real significance (somewhere around the bottom of the cellar with last year's potatoes).

In addition, Lukashenko's nerves were to be affected by the "drone factor": our special services successfully managed to convey to all representatives of the aggressor country (and puppets) that they were technically and tactically able to organize an explosive surprise even on Red Square. And Lukashenko was going to that parade with a clear understanding: if anything, another "Putin #2" or "#3" would be attacked by a drone, and the Kremlin would not care. But the drone would come for Lukashenko in a very natural way, "and for nothing, just for the company."

“Putin simply could not allow the thought of a parade without Lukashenko on his arm. He wanted to have the minion by his side, and he was not interested in anything else. But Lukashenko will obviously receive his payment”

Putin simply could not allow the thought of a parade without Lukashenko on his arm. He wanted to have the minion by his side, and he was not interested in anything else. But Lukashenko will obviously receive his payment.

Pashinyan is not in a much better situation: he was used as a "barter cheapie". There is information that the Armenian leader was urged to come to Moscow by Iran. No refusal was expected, because Iran is currently the only country that protects Armenia's diplomatic interests. Russia stepped aside from these matters, apparently entrusting the issue of Armenia to Turkey. And we remember that it is Iran that supplies the Russian Federation with Shaheds, bullets, missiles, and mortar shells.

So, Putin wants Pashinyan at the dinner and at the parade, Pashinyan listens only to Iran's requests, Putin asks Iran to order Pashinyan to go, and in return he will buy something from Iran for a high price/provide something for a low price. We saw Pashinyan at the parade, so Russia will pay for this as well.

“The presence of the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan is a "gift" from the new "senior partner", China”

The presence of the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan is a "gift" from the new "senior partner," China. Two factors should be taken into account here. First: Russia is becoming a full-fledged raw material colony of China (by the end of 2022, Russia increased its oil exports to China by almost 10%, coal by 21%, and gas by 1.5 times, becoming its largest supplier for the first time; it purchased USD 4.8 billion worth of electronics and equipment from China to replace Western ones; by the end of 2023, Russians expect the yuan to become the main currency in Russian trade). And second: China has actually brought the states of Central Asia into its zone of influence and control, and very active events are taking place on this frontline.

Xi is still playing the game of "China is generally ready to provide friendly support to a friendly Putin and a friendly Russia," but this game obviously won't last long. So it turns out that the presence of the leaders of Central Asian countries (which Putin still likes to consider dependent on Russia, but in fact they are already in the PRC's pool) is a gift from the new sharp "khan" to the old and practically written off one, "the last night with the former harem as a souvenir," so to speak. China simply voiced its request to the new "junior partners" to "come to Moscow for lunch," and it was voiced literally the day before, because the diplomatic missions confirmed the official consent literally at the last moment.

And here, too, Putin will obviously pay the price – with more exports of raw materials to China, bigger discounts, lower prices, more additional obligations as a supplier...

So it turns out that the czar's nostalgic sentiment "I wish these people would come to my parade" will be paid for by Russia at a high rate. This is a truly generic sentiment: note that there was no representative from Beijing or Delhi at the parade – no demonstration of real support to the world. Instead, it was something pathetic and absurd.

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About the author. Oleksiy Holobutsky, political scientist.

The editorial staff do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.