Analysis Of Contemporary Belarus-eu Relations

In recent years,"Color Revolution"has taken place one after another in the region of CIS, which indicates that the contention of great powers in this region is increasingly intense. After the"Orange Revolution"in Ukraine, Belarus, which locates in the center of"Broad Europe", gradually became a critical link amid the contention of the great powers between the East and the West. The relations between Belarus and European Union, a very important power in the stage of international politics, are of great significance for European Continent and the stability of global situation at large. Due to Lukashenka's pursuing of what the West called"totalitarian rule"and pro-Russian foreign policy, Belarus has suffered the hostility and sanctions of European Union and the US. The West regarded Lukashenka as"the last dictator of Europe"and the Country led by him as the"stumbling block of European integration". Against this background, the relations between Belarus and European Union are plagued by constant conflicts and it is hard for them to improve bilateral relations.The"Color Revolution"and the two rounds of European Enlargement resulted in the rapid deterioration of Russia's geo-political conditions. Under this circumstances, Belarus led by Lukashenka opposed NATO Enlargement and withstood the impact of"Color Revolutions". Belarus firmly took sides with Russia in some significant strategic issues and became the last barrier for Russia to resist Western power's offensive. Great as it is of the influence of European Enlargement and US's"Democracy Export"strategy to Belarus society, Russian factor remains the most influential part in Belarus foreign policy and it will impact Belarus internal and foreign affairs for a long term. To sum up, democratic change that European Union wishes can hardly happen during Lukashenka's new term and European Union also can hardly change its policy of helping US suppress and topple down the current Belarus regime. Belarus-European Union relations will develop in a slow pace amid the dependent and passive situation. However, if Belarus-Russian integration suffers a setback or the US adjusts its policy towards Belarus, Belarus-European Union relations probably will change for the better and face new opportunities.