THREAD 1/ For some background on what’s happening in #Belarus, where protesters have taken to the streets following yesterday’s presidential election, see these recent articles by @A_Shraibman and Maxim Samorukov: carnegie.ru/commentary/824…
2/ On the recent claims by Minsk that Moscow had sent mercenaries from the infamous Wagner Group into the country to stir up trouble ahead of the election: carnegie.ru/commentary/824…
3/ On how Belarusian President Alexander #Lukashenko managed to alienate both Russia and the West in the run-up to the election: carnegie.ru/commentary/822…
4/ On how Lukashenko prepared for the election with a govt reshuffle that included replacing his prime minister. “Gone are those who were considered proponents of reform, while the number of officials with ties to the security services has increased.” carnegie.ru/commentary/820…
5/ On the opposition that Lukashenko found himself facing from unexpected quarters, including two presidential candidates from the establishment, Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko: carnegie.ru/commentary/819…
6/ On how the #coronavirus pandemic revealed how little trust is left between Minsk & Moscow following the long dispute between the two countries over energy prices. Belarus was one of few countries in Europe not to impose a lockdown or close its borders. carnegie.ru/commentary/813…
7/ And how #coronavirus itself became another source of conflict in the relationship between Minsk and Moscow, as both sides turned the pandemic into another opportunity to trade complaints and insults. carnegie.ru/2020/07/08/min…
8/ More on that long-running quarrel over energy prices, which eventually sounded the death knell for long-running talks on the further integration of Russia and Belarus: carnegie.ru/commentary/810…
