{"id":130762,"date":"2025-03-20T10:53:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T07:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/130762\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"putins-puppet-master-lukasenka-performs-on-moscows-stage","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/130762\/","title":{"rendered":"Putin’s puppet master: \u0141uka\u0161enka performs on Moscow’s stage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On March 15, \u0141uka\u0161enka concluded a three-day visit to Moscow, which coincided with the presence of Donald Trump\u2019s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, in the city. The timing of the trip, coming just before the inauguration, raised questions about whether this was more than just a coincidence\u2014suggesting a hidden agenda tied to high-stakes negotiations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u0141uka\u0161enka billed as global player<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka has secured a spot within Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s inner circle, gaining access to sensitive information and playing a role in various Kremlin-led campaigns. However, his attempts to present himself as a global decision-maker often draw mockery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To emphasize the international importance of the visit, both Belarusian and Russian propaganda pushed the narrative of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s special mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most vocal supporters of this narrative was Russia 1<\/em> host Olga Skabeeva, who interviewed the Belarusian leader on March 14. Skabeeva lauded \u0141uka\u0161enka as an \u201cirreplaceable ally of Russia,\u201d a \u201cprovider of crucial information solutions\u201d and even a figure \u201cshaping the course of events on Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His status as a loyal ally is undeniable: for years, \u0141uka\u0161enka has shown unwavering fidelity to the Kremlin, consistently following Moscow\u2019s lead. In his conversations with Skabeeva and other Russian media figures, he frequently offers insights from the highest echelons of Russian power. However, his information often appears dubious and unverifiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s calculated moves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Critics have pointed out the peculiar timing of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s Moscow visit, just before his inauguration. For \u0141uka\u0161enka, the inauguration is little more than a formality, and the visit had been planned well in advance, albeit delayed. The presence of high-ranking Russian political figures at the news conference and \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s appearance at the Federation Council suggest the trip was far from accidental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, Witkoff\u2019s visit appeared more spontaneous, following the US-Ukrainian talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11. Moscow quickly agreed to host Trump\u2019s envoy, using \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s visit as leverage in the broader negotiations with Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 13, ahead of his joint news conference with Putin, \u0141uka\u0161enka showed his awareness by predicting that Ukraine would not agree to a ceasefire. Putin would later validate this claim by outlining the Kremlin\u2019s conditions, which effectively ruled out any chance of agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Moscow, \u0141uka\u0161enka made several foreign policy statements, portraying himself as an informed insider deeply involved in Russia\u2019s strategic plans. His remarks were part of a broader Russian propaganda effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russian narratives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka embraced his role enthusiastically, contributing to Russian narratives with vigor and creativity. He took aim at European leaders, reinforcing Russian talking points with personal barbs. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was the target of particularly sharp criticism during the news conference. In his interview with Skabeeva, \u0141uka\u0161enka also directed his fire at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also took the opportunity to praise Donald Trump, with whom Minsk hopes to build closer ties. However, in Moscow, \u0141uka\u0161enka was careful to speak about Trump in measured terms, ensuring he did not overstep any boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, he emphasized his close relationship with Russia, his role in resolving the Ukraine conflict, and frequently used terms like \u201cwe\u201d to stress the solidarity between Moscow and Minsk in resisting Western influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka benefits from Moscow visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minsk can consider the Moscow visit a success: the Federation Council ratified an agreement to reschedule Belarus\u2019s government debt. However, \u0141uka\u0161enka is also pushing for additional subsidies. \u201cWe asked the Russians, if possible, to build a second [nuclear] power plant,\u201d he remarked during the session at the Federation Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visit garnered international attention, and \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s frequent meetings with Putin underscored the close ties between the two aging autocrats. The nature of their relationship was further highlighted by \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s extended stay in Moscow. He attended an informal meeting between Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and joined a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putin leveraged \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s relationship with Aliyev to ease tensions with Baku following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau in December 2024. Azerbaijani officials claim the aircraft was shot down by a Russian missile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, \u0141uka\u0161enka once again played the role of the provincial ally, speaking the words that Russia\u2019s senior partner cannot openly say and inflating his own significance. It seems Putin is content with this arrangement, as \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s proximity to him remains a key political asset. On the global stage, \u0141uka\u0161enka may be loud, but he remains a marginal figure whose influence is confined to the Kremlin\u2019s sphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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