Makei: We will always be with Russia

Uladzimir Makei, Foreign Minister of Belarus, states that Europe cannot replace Russia for Belarus.

"Europe cannot replace Russia for us, at least not today. We understand that in difficult times, we will always be with Russia. And Russia has helped us when we have had problems in various spheres. So we (Belarus and Russia) are very close and we will support each other in difficult situations", Uladzimir Makei said in his interview to The Washington Post.

The Minister emphasized Minsk relations with Europe must not hinder strengthening of cooperation with Russia, Interfax reports. "We are not going to be friends with Europe and forsake Russia", he pointed out.

In addition, the Belarusian Foreign Minister stressed Belarus is not building up its foreign policy relations on the "either-or" principle and demanded to lift sanctions introduced by the EU fraud presidential elections and anti-opposition repressions.

Our position is that we are categorically against sanctions as a way to settle interstate scores", Makei said.

Speaking of influence on Belarus of mutual sanctions between the West and Russia, the minister noted "we feel the press of the sanctions". Meanwhile he stressed that sanctions would never be successful in this particular case. "Russia will survive because it has lots of resources", Makei said.

It should be reminded that sanctions against Belarusian government were imposed after cruel dispersion of protest actions against fraud presidential elections in 2010. About a thousand people were arrested, candidates and their staff were among them. There are 6 political prisoners behind bars in Belarus. Besides, civil rights activists and international organizations have repeatedly informed about ongoing repressions against the opposition and independent media in the country.