Many Russians believe that Moscow has continued to give Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka too much for what it has received in turn, but Vladimir Pastukhov says that Moscow has in fact received a lot and for what it has received, it is quite willing to pay.
OP-ED
Paul A. Goble: Moscow views Belarus as critical cultural buffer between Russia and Europe
Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a press conference in Minsk on August 9, 2021. - Belarus's strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko dismissed international criticism on August 9, 2021, a year after claiming to win a disputed election that led to unprecedented protests in the country. In power since 1994, Lukashenko has been cracking down on opponents since the mass protests that erupted after the vote, deemed unfair by the West. (Photo by Nikolay PETROV / BELTA / AFP)
