Lukashenko to meet with Xi Jinping to help Russia and China circumvent sanctions, reports ISW
Dictator Lukashenko (Photo:Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS)
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko is planning to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to possibly help Russia and China evade sanctions, according to the latest report by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War, published on Feb. 25.
The ISW notse that Lukashenko had earlier announced his plans to visit China from Feb. 28 to March 2, and meet with Xi Jinping to sign agreements on trade, investment, and large-scale joint projects. Lukashenko also intends to meet with top officials and executives of Chinese corporations.
"Lukashenko’s announcement of his planned visit coincides with reporting from CNN and The Washington Post that senior U.S. officials assess that China is seriously considering selling combat drones, personal weapons, and 122mm and 152mm artillery shells to Russia," the report reads.
“Russian and Chinese officials have also reportedly developed plans for the shipment of drones to Russia under falsified shipping documents to avoid international sanctions measures.”
ISW experts suggest that China may try to use agreements with Belarus to hide its sanctions violations, if it goes ahead with plans to supply Russia.
China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, visited Moscow on Feb. 22, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin.
According to media reports, Jinping is also preparing to visit Moscow in the coming months for a summit with Putin.
Against this backdrop, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would like to meet with the Chinese leader. According to him, Kyiv has already conveyed this intention to Beijing at the diplomatic level.
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