The Kremlin Asked Unpleasant Questions To Lukashenko

The dictator wriggled for the amusement of Putin and Russian propagandists.

At the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Volgograd on April 29, Alexander Lukashenko said that in Belarus "no one in any way bans St. George ribbons," but added that this symbolism "has a peculiar history." Kommersant's Kremlin pool journalist Andrey Kolesnikov tried to understand what the Belarusian dictator meant, writes udf.

On the eve of the meeting with the Russian dictator, Lukashenko said that in Belarus "no one prohibits in any way the St. George ribbons" and that it is worn, for example, at various actions in memory of the war.

- Although I asked about the history. I advise you, here take, let historians give you all the information about the St. George ribbon. We do not deny it. Although the history of the St. George's ribbon is peculiar," Lukashenko emphasized.

He added that he sees "nothing wrong" "if someone wants a St. George's ribbon," and advised Vladimir Putin "not to pay attention to some negative statements in this regard.

Andrei Kolesnikov wondered why Lukashenko "clung to the St. George ribbon":

"Everything seems to be all right with it. And there are no questions about it in Russia."

- As you know, Empress Catherine II approved the St. George ribbon as a badge of encouragement for soldiers and officers who participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. It was awarded even later - for loyalty, bravery and courage on the battlefields. It was accompanied by a white cross or a four-pointed gold star... What's the big deal? Why involve historians?...

And maybe the empress herself embarrassed Alexander Lukashenko? - wrote the journalist.

But, he believes, it's not the tsarist origin of the St. George ribbon, but the fact that since 2014, the Belarusian authorities "have become critical of these ribbons":

- They were banned in schools, not recommended to be sold in stores... Wasn't it Alexander Lukashenko who then welcomed the ban on the St. George ribbon? Something in what was happening then, in 2014, apparently did not suit the president of Belarus. Something caused a feeling of internal protest. And now he has actually rehabilitated the St. George ribbon. Apparently, in his own eyes," the journalist speculated.

He also fully quoted Putin's response, which followed Lukashenko's statement about the St. George's ribbon - as it turned out, the Russian dictator also found his interlocutor's words somewhat mysterious.

-Alexander Grigorievich, I don't really understand what you said about the St. George's ribbon... But I guess what it could be. But behind these symbols is our common history, our past, present and future! - Putin said.

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