Andrey Kolesnikov about the meeting of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko in Volgograd
On April 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin flew to Volgograd, where on the eve of Victory Day he met with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Who would have thought that the main subject of discussion in their conversation would be the St. George ribbon, the same. Only a special correspondent « Kommersant » Andrey Kolesnikov Could.
It was warm and windy on Mamaev Kurgan. Girls from the company of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the military tunic and skirts above the knees clathed the heels of the Kirsz boots on the stairs leading to the mound. It was possible to get lost in time with them and even perhaps I wanted … Moreover, there was no Internet. Not only on Mamaev Kurgan, but in general in the city. That is, all formalities to believe that we were here in 1943, were observed, especially if we are guided by the road signs of Stalingrad throughout the city …
And at the same time, the city was put to the holiday in order, at least such an impression, with a cursory examination from the bus window, folded. And Vladimir Putin, as well as Alexander Lukashenko, who, as usual, came together, could make sure this way could be seen here. They headed to the hall of military glory, and Mr. Lukashenko, everyone paid attention, was going on a very heavy gear. For some reason, these few tens of meters were given to him for some reason.
In the hall, wreaths from Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko were already brought into the hall (they were brought from Moscow by passing, one might say, by plane, and spruce branches soaked the interior with their smell so much that it seemed, and on the way back there would be the impression that wreaths were being taken back).
Then they slowly, very slowly climbed the spiral ramp (the information agencies immediately informed that they had “negotiations on their feet”) and headed for a second, not stopping talking, to the grave of Marshal Vasilia Chuikov, about whom Vladimir Putin told his colleague, for several minutes even standing near her.
There is always something in this place, on the Mamaev Kurgan, near the lists of thousands of people who died here near this inscription: “The iron wind beat them in the face, and they went forward, and again the feeling of superstitious fear seized the enemy: did people go on the attack, are they mortal?” Here you can’t help but think about the terrible battle of the city, behind the river, for the country, for life – and to death …
Yes, Mamaev Kurgan is such a holy and eternal place that the eternal fire seems to be a home with a home. Like the fireplace in the White Hall of the administration of the Volgograd region.
This is also a hall of glory: the names of honorary inhabitants of the city and the region are immortalized here in marble (among them you can see “Stepashin S.V.”, “Pakhmutov A. N.”, “Ishinbaeva E. G.”-yes, not the foreign agent, not erased, including from the face of the city …). The extensive list of heroes of socialist labor, heroes of the Soviet Union … And one surname shines on the list of « Mother Heroini ».
Having performed at the forum “Great Heritage – General Future”, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko came here and sat by the fireplace. I expected that Alexander Lukashenko would finally speak out about something from the heart, otherwise he could say, he was silent almost all day, but this is not acharacter.
“I know that you decided that your ceremonial calculation also pass along Red Square,” Vladimir Putin turned to a colleague.
“Thank you for this opportunity,” thank Alexander Lukashenko. “I have already been to Stalingrad-Volgograd … And in Soviet times, and already as president … an impressive place, without trembling, is impossible here … I was very imbued with a good general understanding of the processes … We have absolutely similar investigation of international relations, there is nothing even to say. We don’t even hide this … I forgot, by the way, to say on the forum: we have some comrades … Well, in Russia … About the St. George ribbons, about the fact that the memory is such … probably, we forgot when the immortal regiment was opened, we went in Belarus … Youth in parallel with St. George ribbons and the procession of the immortal regiment with us (apparently, organized it. A.K.) The procession « Belarus remembers. » And no one forbids them in any case of the St. George ribbon! I asked the story … I advise you: take it, ask you, let historians give you! .. We do not deny this, although a kind of story of this ribbon …
Why is it suddenly Alexander Lukashenko, let’s call a spade a spade, cling to the St. George ribbon? It seems that everything is fine with her. And in Russia, there are definitely no questions to her – why is he like that? ..
As you know, Empress Catherine II approved the St. George ribbon as a sign of encouraging soldiers and officers who participated in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. They presented it later – for loyalty, courage and courage on the battlefields. A white cross or a four-pointed golden star was attached to her … What is so? Why attract historians? ..
Or maybe the empress itself confused Alexander Lukashenko? So he himself, in a sense, the emperor.
– with us (in Belarus. – A.K.) These are colors, as many reproach us, the Soviet flag, ”continued Mr. Lukashenko.
Yes, the royal past of the St. George ribbon, apparently, did its job.
“You know our ideas, we know Russian ideas …” the president of Belarus added. “From Brest to Vladivostok we have one fatherland! .. Not by our will two states formed …
Why, how many years are one, union. True, it does not form at all …
“I am sure that our children will appreciate that we are suffering here, do …” said Alexander Lukashenko.
Nikolai will certainly appreciate. After all, everything is in his eyes. A living witness of self -story – namely, Nikolai Lukashenko.
“And let no one be offended that we often meet … We are not unlocking from anyone!” – the president of Belarus was perplexed. – We are ready to accept! If Emomali Sharipovich (Mr. Rahmon, President of Tajikistan. – A.K.) I agreed to come to our village, met in March … We sat, talked (apparently, I mean a meeting in Novo-Ogarsevo in March this year). What to blame us? Come! .. We are not bored!
Alexander Lukashenko, probably, considers the house of Vladimir Putin to be his own and invites people here as to his home. And he does it right!
“Alexander Grigoryevich, I don’t even really understand,” Vladimir Putin admitted, “what you talked about in relation to the St. George ribbon … But I guess that it could be. But behind these symbols is our common story, our past, present and future! ..
What is wrong with her, with the St. George ribbon? What did Vladimir Putin guessed about?
But no, in fact, the matter was not in the royal origin of the St. George tape. And, apparently, in the fact that since 2014, in Belarus, the authorities critically began to relate to these ribbons. They were forbidden in schools, not recommended to sell in stores … Isn’t Alexander Lukashenko then welcomed the ban on the St. George ribbon? Something in what happened then, in 2014, apparently did not suit the president of Belarus. Something caused a sense of inner protest.
And now he actually rehabilitated the St. George ribbon.
Apparently, in their own eyes.
