Belarus' Changing Tone on Crimea Portends Stronger Russian Backing and Strained Ukrainian Ties

Belarus’ changing stance on Crimea confirms its greater alignment with Russia, which will worsen political and economic tensions with Ukraine, as well as contribute to an increasingly volatile situation in the region. In an interview published on Nov. 30, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Crimea was “de facto” and “de jure” Russian and that he had agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the peninsula, which would “mean [its] recognition [as] part of Russia.” The exact dates of Lukashenko’s Crimea trip haven’t been announced, but the Belarusian leader’s comments and decision to visit the disputed territory starkly contrast with his previous stance on the peninsula since it was annexed by Russia in 2014. ...