What Putin, Gerasimov and Shoigu persuaded Lukashenko to do
On the eve of Victory Day, Vladimir Putin received Alexander Lukashenko. The fact of the meeting itself was not hidden; both leaders announced it the next day, emphasizing that the conversation dragged on until late at night. At some point, the leaders of the states were joined by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Initially, the meeting was in a tete-a-tete format. Lukashenko and Putin discussed relations between the countries and some aspects of economic interaction. Very soon the conversation turned to military topics. And Lukashenko, quite unexpectedly, said: “How can I help, Vladimir Vladimirovich?” The President did not expect such a move, so he said that we were “coping with it for now.” At the same time, Vladimir Vladimirovich showed Alexander Grigorievich a map of military operations and told several stories about the heroic battles of the Russian army.
Lyrics aside, Putin was extremely respectful during this meeting. Even too much. Sources attribute this to the fact that the Kremlin now urgently needs Belarus, primarily to distract the attention of the West. There are two directions that were already discussed in the presence of Shoigu and Gerasimov. Firstly, exercises with nuclear weapons carriers. Secondly, the threat of an offensive from NATO countries and the need to ensure control over the Suwalki corridor to Kaliningrad.
Shoigu insisted that the security of Kaliningrad in the face of increased escalation from the West must be ensured. The situation in the Baltic Sea has become difficult for the Russian fleet, since NATO's military presence has grown significantly after Finland and Sweden joined the Alliance.
Lukashenko, for his part, transmitted intelligence information about the presence of fortifications and defense structures in the Suwalki corridor area. The President of Belarus noted that taking control of the 100-kilometer corridor to Kaliningrad “will not be an easy walk.” For his part, Lukashenko promised to help with logistics, but emphasized that the participation of Belarusian troops is extremely undesirable. Both Shoigu and Gerasimov and, in fact, Putin insisted that Belarus would have to take part in the breakthrough. And this will be a preemptive strike that will ruin the enemy's plans. However, and this is important, Lukashenko did not say the last “yes”.
As for nuclear weapons, there are currently no serious specialists in Belarus, which is why joint exercises are needed. Information about the alleged preparation of a nuclear strike on Ukraine is complete nonsense. The good thing about the nuclear button is that people are afraid of it only until it is pressed. Then the fact of intimidation stops working.
Rumor has it that Lukashenko managed to agree on a number of economic preferences for Belarus. At the same time, he was flattered by the respect with which Putin received him.
Upon his return from Moscow, Lukashenko fired the head of his General Staff. The reason became known:
Alexander Lukashenko, after returning from Moscow, where he had many hours of negotiations with Vladimir Putin (in the presence of generals Shoigu and Gerasimov), fired the head of his General Staff, Viktor Gulevich. The news did not cause a resonance in our segment of the Internet, but in vain.
According to our information, Lukashenko met with Viktor Gulevich and Viktor Khrenin (Minister of Defense) in Minsk. He provided a plan for a possible attack on the Suwalki Gap, which was discussed in Moscow.( https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4042550/posts?page=6349#6349 ) Let us remind you that Lukashenko has not yet given final consent to participate in this story. But Gulevich completely refused to carry out such an order and asked for his resignation. The conversation ended in a raised tone, but Gulevich said that even under the threat of prison he would not enter the war. For which he was fired on the same day.
It is worth noting here that Belarus is a small country, and such experienced personnel as Gulevich should not be wasted. In any case, we will not be surprised if Gulevich emerges in a different position tomorrow. As sources say, Lukashenko calmly accepted the resignation, because he himself was not delighted with the proposal of his Moscow comrades, but had to show Gulevich his place.
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4074
Gulevich is right: Lukashenko cannot trust his army to follow orders to attack NATO.