Thread by @generalsvr_en

Will #Putin outlast #Lukashenko?

#Russian President Vladimir Putin was puzzled by a serious problem yesterday and held several video consultations in this connection. Having seen Lukashenko yesterday, Putin realised that...
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he did not even know approximately how bad #Lukashenko's health was. #Putin thought that Lukashenko's illness was just a ploy that could be used as a cover for his refusal to pay a visit or to speak by phone. The president always dismissed reports that...
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#Lukashenko was seriously ill and considered this a skilful game of the "Potato Elk" (that is what #Putin calls Lukashenko), who could fool anybody but not him. But, this time, the president was astonished at how bad things really are.
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The possibility of #Lukashenko's imminent death, in #Putin's opinion, is a huge problem. Losing control of Belarus, with the consequent loss of the country from his sphere of influence, is a nightmare for the #Russian president.
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Yesterday, #Putin discussed possible options to keep the Republic of #Belarus in his orbit after #Lukashenko's death and concluded that only a complete absorption of this country into the Union State, or rather...
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the actual accession to #Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation, is the only good option. Moreover, the Russian president believes that a successor designated by #Lukashenko must not be allowed to succeed him and that...
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all of his (#Lukashenko's) sons must be fully controlled in #Russia until all processes have been completed. All security forces in #Belarus, according to #Putin, must be guaranteed their safety, status and property, and they must...
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be redistributed to #Russian regions after integration. #Putin said he thought it was amusing to be able to outlast #Lukashenko. Putin himself, yesterday, failed to hold a normal meeting with the leadership of the military bloc and, after listening to an incomplete report,...
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cut off communication. The president complained again in the evening of weakness, dizziness, stomach aches and nausea. So far, the treatment is not having the effect expected by the doctors.
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