Putin used Lukashenko to request banned Chinese tech from Xi - video interview

He highlighted that Lukashenko arrived in Beijing acting as Vladimir Putin's proxy, armed with a shopping list for critical dual-use technologies and microchips needed to sustain Russia's war machine  as Moscow desperately seeks loopholes to bypass Western sanctions.

"I only know of two people with whom Xi Jinping has shared a 'family dinner'—Lukashenko and Putin," Bezsmertnyi stated.

"I cannot recall a third person. Therefore, this points to a much broader relationship, firstly. Secondly, from what I read, even from the direct statements made by Xi Jinping and Lukashenko, I understand that Putin gave Lukashenko a list of things he needs to beg from Xi Jinping. The essence of the dinner boiled down to what Xi Jinping could provide in the current situation to save Moscow's skin during the closed-door portion of the meal."

He explained that Xi Jinping cannot openly interfere in Russia's war against Ukraine because doing so would jeopardize China's access to the European market and likely trigger severe complications with the U.S.

"On the one hand, he [Xi Jinping] will exercise restraint. On the other hand, one must always remember that a Russian defeat in this war is not in China's interests," the diplomat noted.

"Therefore, Xi Jinping will do something. I believe this 'something' primarily concerns microchips, because the fact that Russia has begun installing Belarusian microchips on drones and all types of missiles clearly indicates they have a problem. Plus, we must remember that within the framework of the joint industrial park between Belarus and China, there is a whole range of military developments. It is obvious that within this specific industrial park, the development or even production of certain weapons for the Russian army is taking place. I cannot state this definitively, but it is no coincidence that Lukashenko brought up this industrial park at his meeting with Xi."

Bezsmertnyi also pointed out that Lukashenko explicitly stated his need for dual-use machinery, CNC (computer numerical control) machine tools, and industrial robotics to manufacture certain types of products.

"In other words, these are clearly not the needs of Belarus; these are the needs of Moscow. Obviously, the Kremlin tyrant is counting on China providing at least some items from the list he sent, so to speak. Though certainly not all of them," the diplomat concluded.

Lukashenko's back-to-back Meetings with Putin and Xi

On June 26, Lukashenko traveled to Russia to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at his residence in Valdai. The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted for about five hours.

Three days later, the Belarusian dictator arrived in Beijing for an unannounced meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. According to state propaganda outlets, Xi told Lukashenko that Chinese-Belarusian relations have reached "historical peak."

Furthermore, Xi expressed the view that China and Belarus must "promote the continuous development of high-level bilateral relations" and "maintain strategic communication." Beijing firmly supports Belarus in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, the Chinese leader emphasized.