Belarus hopes West will soften its positions unconditionally

The Belarusian authorities refused to participate in the two-day Eastern Partnership Summit in Prague. Amid growing confrontation between Russia and the West, Belarus anticipates that the EU will soften its positions unconditionally as regards the Belarusian authorities. Belarus also stakes on her increasingly important role in the region and on her balanced position. Simultaneously, Belarusian leadership fears a nervous reaction from the Kremlin to their participation in the EAP Summit, where Ukraine is at the top of the agenda. The Belarusian government is not willing to become involved in a confrontation between the West and Russia and is saving room for manoeuvre between Ukraine and the Kremlin.