Savik Shuster: Lukashenka is one of those who are able to accurately formulate Putin's strategy

Following the interview given by Belarusan President on developments in Ukraine, well-known Ukrainian TV-host speaks about Lukashenka’s personality, viewpoint and personal impressions from the talk.

Savik Shuster, host of a popular TV show in Kiev, speaks about his interview with Aliaksandr Lukashenka on Crimea, Putin and the future of Ukraine.

- In Ukraine, there are enough people and personalities that deserve to be featured in a TV show on current affairs. Why an interview with Aliaksandr Lukashenka, the head of the neighboring state?

- First of all, the Belarus president has made several important statements with regard to the situation in Ukraine and the Crimean Autonomous Republic. Secondly, as far as I have gathered from his interviews to the press, he quite often has contacts with the president of the Russian Federation. Finally, Belarus is a neighboring country with very strong ties to Ukraine. I believe the audience in Ukraine, Ukrainian TV viewers will be very interested in hearing what Belarus president has to say about all this.

- Why would the fact that President Lukashenka maintains contacts with President Putin be of interest to TV viewers in Ukraine?

- This fact is of interest not only to Ukrainian but also international viewers. I mean everyone is now trying to figure out: what is on Vladimir Putin's mind? What is his strategy? Everyone is writing about it, guessing and sharing their understanding and perception of the situation. I think that President Lukashenka is one of those people who are able to formulate quite precisely President Putin's strategy. Well, Lukashenka has said that Putin will not order his troops elsewhere than Crimea. Apparently, he is confident. I think that when he says so, he should be trusted. Not only Ukraine will trust him. Europe and America will trust him as well.

- In your opinion, how will this Lukashenka's confidence impact the political situation in Ukraine?

- There is a very special feeling in Ukraine now - the feeling of war. Any spoken word that can bring calm is useful. People are very tense as nobody can predict what will happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. In this situation, the words that can calm people - even if these words are pronounced by the president of the other country - are like a beam of hope.

- Did you have to wait for a long time to get this interview?

- Surprisingly, we got a reply very quickly. I should mention that I have known President Lukashenka for quite a long: we did interviews twice when I worked at NTV. He knows me well as a professional. This Monday we sent our interview request and got a positive reply in the evening of the same day.

- Did you have to send your questions for preliminary clearance?

- No, we just outlined the talking points. Well, the talking point is rather obvious. We turned out to be talking mostly about the situation in Crimea, Putin, Ukraine, Maidan protests…

- Did you ask tricky questions?

- Judging by his facial expression and the way he looked at me, my questions were not unpleasant. You know, when you are talking about a war situation, all questions are somewhat unpleasant. But I did not spot uneasiness in his eyes. No, that was not the case.

- Lukashenka spoke out in a somewhat negative way about Victor Yanukovich. Some time back, the Belarus leader fell out with his Ukrainian counterpart after the latter had not invited him to attend an anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear accident. Did you feel there was a connection between that episode and that negative description of Yanukovich?

- He stressed: “He is my friend, but I talk about in a straightforward manner - the way I think.” I don't think this is somewhat connected with feeling offended. I think this is how he really assesses what Victor Yanukovich did.

- Anyway, what's the position of Belarus leader on Crimea as of today?

- He said: De facto, the Russian troops are there. Russia is introducing the Russian ruble, its laws. That means this is a de facto Russian territory. He mentioned that even ex-Ukraine presidents Kuchma and Kravchuk had noted that. He also said that by withdrawing its troops and the lack of resistance the current authorities in Kiev underlined the reality that Crimea was a territory of Russian Federation. He said this did not require any judicial recognition.

- Would you share your impression on what is Aliaksandr Lukashenka's stance towards Russia's actions in Crimea?

- Well, I find it very difficult to try and analyze President Lukashenka. But I had an impression that he did not like this precedent at all. 

- What impressions did you have about your interviewee? Can you make a comparison with your previous encounters?

- He always had the traits of a leader. This is something that both his supporters and opponents are aware of. And he has preserved these qualities. Over all these years, he has naturally grown more experienced and knowledgeable. This is normal as almost all people grow wiser with time.

- Do you consider him an authoritarian leader?

- He is an authoritarian leader without any doubt!

- Can one compare him to Putin in this sense?

- He did it himself! I asked: “What's your attitude to people describing you as a dictator?” He said: “I am not just a dictator. I am the last dictator!” And I told him: “Now, Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] is ahead of you in this regard." And he said: "Yes, that's what I told him as well.” More or less, that was the way he said.

- What's his attitude to the current authorities in Ukraine?

- Totally pragmatic. He is ready and will cooperate with the authorities elected by the people of Ukraine and Alexander Turchinov, in particular. He has absolutely warm feelings towards the Ukrainian people.

Originally published at Euroradio