The Issue of CSTO Secretary is Not Closed: Lukashenko Stepping Back

The newspaper Hraparak reports: “According to our sources, it is not entirely the case that the issue of the CSTO Secretary has been resolved once and for all. In 2-3 months, at a CSTO meeting (dates are still unknown), the issue will again be on the agenda. However, CSTO member countries have already stated that they support the Belarusian candidate Zas.

Hraparak continues: “According to our sources, it is not entirely the case that the issue of the CSTO Secretary has been resolved once and for all. In 2-3 months, at a CSTO meeting (dates are still unknown), the issue will again be on the agenda. However, CSTO member countries have already stated that they support the Belarusian candidate Zas.

“No, this was merely a PR stunt by Lukashenko; it was Father’s dream-pressure on Putin to show what influence the Nazarbayev-Lukashenko tandem has in the CSTO, the same goes for the EAEU. Let’s not forget that Lukashenko had said that the Zas issue would be resolved by December.

December has passed, and the issue remains unresolved. Only Tajikistan and Belarus have signed that document, and the discussion will continue until the official appointment. There are stages that you cannot avoid, and this could even turn into a serious scandal, considering the latest entanglement in Russia-Belarus relations related to the ‘tax maneuver’ involving 10 billion.

Neither side wants to concede; Lukashenko even maneuvered on this issue but has now quietly stepped back. There are elections this year in Belarus—both parliamentary and presidential, and Russia can exert pressure. That is why Father is quiet. Therefore, we need to wait; these are complex issues that require solutions.”