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February 13 – February 19, 2017

Kremlin bars Minsk from using public opinion in Russia to protect its interests

The situation has not changed

According to the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre opinion poll, most Russians perceive Belarus as a friendly state, however, they believe Russia should not sell gas to Belarus at a price below the market price. The Kremlin is attempting to use public opinion as an additional argument in the gas and oil dispute and migration restrictions with Belarus. It is worth mentioning that the attitude of Russians to Belarusians has not changed over recent years, but the Kremlin started differently interpreting public moods in Russia in order to support the hard line vis-a-vis Belarus. On some aspects of the Russo-Belarusian relations, public sentiments reflect Moscow’s official position, not in Minsk’s favour. Previously, President Lukashenka used his popularity in Russia and positive public opinion towards Belarus (especially in the Russian ‘red belt’ regions) to prompt his interests in the Kremlin. The Belarusian authorities are likely to revise their approaches to the Russian media and seek new approaches to influence public opinion in the Russian regions.

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