Lukashenko to simulate reforms to mislead Europe, Trump supporters — journalist

He stated this on Espreso TV.  

"The fact that in recent months Lukashenko has started making personnel changes, implementing personnel reforms, and offering new functions and positions to rather interesting individuals, when analyzed, is noteworthy. Dmitry Krutoy, the new head of administration, or even the new prime minister, Turchin, whom he appointed before the inauguration, although theoretically, it should have been the other way around. These are people who, first of all, are not particularly Soviet-minded in terms of mentality and who, if given such a goal by Lukashenko, could somehow negotiate either with Trump or with the West in general. They could also simulate more liberal reforms—liberal, so to speak. I believe that in the first months of Lukashenko’s seventh term, we will be able to talk about some changes in Belarus. However, of course, this will not be liberalization or democratization; if anything like that happens at all, it will be a simulation of a process intended to deceive Europeans, particularly Trump supporters," he noted.  

The goal would be to encourage concessions, such as easing sanctions. Michał Potocki pointed out that such signals are already coming from Washington. "In February, a State Department representative was in Minsk, and after his visit, he reportedly met with European diplomats in Warsaw and discussed Trump’s concept—offering to ease some sanctions in exchange for halting repression and releasing some political prisoners. This especially concerns Belarusian banks and the potash industry, which is a crucial part of Belarusian exports. We’ll see how things develop. Of course, all of this is tied to U.S.-Russia relations, because Trump’s stance on Belarus is not independent—it depends on what he manages or fails to achieve with Putin, either together with him or against him. Nevertheless, I believe Lukashenko, who has always had a very good political instinct, senses this wind of change and is preparing for it," the journalist concluded.

• On January 26, Belarus held its so-called presidential election. For the seventh time, the self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko 'secured' victory.