AHC - Belarus in NATO

[varyar]

What magical contortions of history would it take to result in Belarus to be a member in good standing of NATO by 2020?

 

[Lalli]

Firstly you should avoid Lukhashenko's dictatorship. But I don't know how to do that. Perhaps he is killed on car accident.

 

[karatachi]

Firstly you should avoid Lukhashenko's dictatorship. But I don't know how to do that. Perhaps he is killed on car accident.

Won't they still be Russia-leaning, even with that?

 

[Histor32]

Won't they still be Russia-leaning, even with that?

Maybe.. Maybe not, depends on relations with Poland and other Eastern European nations. I might dare add that yiu would have to avoid the CIS or at least joining said CIS.

Lukoshanko isn't a fool you know. He has done what he must to remain in power and at the same time not get deposed of by his neighbor.

Last bit, Belarus in nato would really enrage Russia if Russia was also snubbed itself. So start with more open stance and open arms to the post Soviet world as thenaoviet union dissolved.

 

[Simon]

Won't they still be Russia-leaning, even with that?

Depends. Russians only made up something like 12% of the population when the Soviet Union collapsed, whilst Belarus might not have quite the same drive as the Baltic states if a government that looks to the West comes to power in the aftermath then with Russia in the state it was in it's not like they could really do much. Some people might have objections at NATO getting so close to Moscow but once the Baltic states are in an extra hundred miles doesn't really make all that much difference. Expect Russia to start watching Ukraine like a hawk though.

 

[The Militant Doberman]

Belarus, Europe’s Hermit, May Be Opening Up: Here's What You Can Do There

Good news, travelers!

www.themoscowtimes.com

Good news, travelers! Aleksander Lukashenko, Belarus' long-time president, has signed a decree allowing the citizens of the EU, the US and 41 other lucky states to visit his closed country for up to five days without a visa.
...
Some joked about the 5-day-rule the eastern European dictatorship is offering tourists. “Now we will join NATO for five days and we will abolish the death penalty for five days,” Belarusian journalist Viktar Malishevsky wrote on Twitter.