Belarus: In Russia's stagnant footsteps by its own choice?!

The comprehensive (EU) economic sanctions, which the opposition has always demanded in the case of Belarus, are probably coming soon. Now, however, "self-chosen" by the regime and unfortunately also coupled with an increasingly repressive environment on the ground. For a (dynamically changing) ruling elite that is purely focused on survival, economic stagnation facilitated by a partner as experienced as Russia is far from the worst outcome. Therefore, it could be a long time before anything can change in the country. In the case of Russia, far-reaching Western sanctions have not brought much change in any dimension over the last seven years! For a more granular assessment together with Marcus How see here: THE VIEW FROM MITTELEUROPA: Surviving on life support – Belarus, sanctions and path-dependency.