China, Belarus and Russia: A geopolitical triangle

Moderator:

Tatsiana Chulitskaya, Research Associate Oxford Belarus Observatory (OBO), Researcher Vilnius University/Manchester Metropolitan University

Speakers: 

Valery Kavaleuski, Deputy Head at the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus; Representative on Foreign Affairs, Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya 

Roza Turarbekava, Doctor, Associate Professor, Member of the Free Trade Union of Belarusian State University Employees, Repressed, Independent Belarusian Expert​​​​​​

Victor Shadurski, Former Dean of Belarusian State University, Researcher at the Gerda Henkel Foundation (Germany), Visiting Professor at the Institute of International Studies at the University of Wroclaw

Maryia Danilovich, Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Modern East Asian Studies, University of Göttingen

This webinar will discuss the intricate geopolitical relations between Belarus, China, and Russia. Following a shift in Belarus' foreign policy away from the Western sphere, the Lukashenka regime has been re-orienting itself towards non-democratic alliances, including China. While Russia has traditionally been the main supporter of the Belarusian regime, Belarus has also actively engaged with autocratic powers in Asia, such as China and the countries of Central Asia. Belarus has been utilising China’s financial assistance tools, primarily loans, while also exploring closer trade and economic relations with China as a means of bypassing Western sanctions and possibly reducing its economic dependence on Russia. Meanwhile, integration projects between Belarus and Russia and the latter’s continuous financial support is guided more by political than economic motives.

How does Belarus position itself within the geopolitical triangle of Russia-Belarus-China, and what factors contribute to its role within this dynamic? What are the key economic partnerships, political engagements, and calculations that shape the relations between Belarus, China, and Russia? What strategic considerations drive the interactions between Belarus, China, and Russia, and how do they impact regional stability and international cooperation? These and other questions will be discussed in a panel discussion organised by the Oxford Belarus Observatory, in partnership with the Research Center of  Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Office, and the IGSD, University of Warwick.

Language Remarks: Some of the experts will speak Belarusian and Russian during the webinar. Please note that simultaneous translation to English is only available in Zoom.

Please register here.