Dmitry Novikov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs:
“I think this is the case when a person acts according to the principle of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Rasmussen allegedly expresses concern for a specific country and people, but in fact in his words lies a desire to exert pressure on Lukashenko. It is a hint that it would be a good idea for the Belarusian president to change the policy, otherwise the method of sanctions against Belarus, non-recognition of it as a democratic state, will continue.
On the other hand, this is a real attempt to stimulate the Belarusian opposition to act more actively. Thus, we see the obvious desire of representatives of Western politics to tear off the country, where there is a serious potential for particularly close cooperation with Russia, from close, friendly and essentially fraternal relations that have long been established between our peoples. Indeed, such relations can be ensured only within the framework of successful cooperation of our two countries.
Rasmussen is a person who performs his tasks, and these tasks have nothing in common with the interests of the Belarusian people. I am confident that the hardworking and intelligent Belarusian people themselves are well aware of this. And it is very important that in Russia those oligarchic circles, which sometimes put pressure on Belarus, were put in order, and that nothing could hinder the development of our bilateral relations. Unfortunately, the “fifth column”, acting both in Russia and in Belarus, is the force on which the West relies on when realizing certain plans. ”
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in an interview with Polskoy Radio, advised Belarus to follow the example of Georgia and Ukraine in relations with Russia.