Lukashenko to restrict Russian presence in Belarus’ economy

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed statements on Belarus’ unwillingness to implement integration projects with Russia as nonsense.

He made this statement at a meeting with Yaroslavl Oblast Governor Sergei Yastrebov on January 30^th. The tension between official Minsk and the Kremlin over the privatisation of Belarusian state property is growing. Privatisation is a condition for signing off a six-month Russian-Belarusian oil balance. The president is wary of the increased Russian presence in Belarus’ economy ahead of the presidential campaign. Lukashenko wants to reduce pressure from the Kremlin by using his long-standing contacts and connections in the Russian regions. In the coming year, Belarus’ government will do its utmost to restrict Russian business from penetrating the Belarusian economy, as it fears that the Kremlin might interfere with the 2015 presidential election.