Lukashenko blames slowdown in integration with Russia on Ukraine`s "orange revolution" :: Charter'97 :: News

Aleksandr Lukashenko blamed last year’s popular uprising in Ukraine that brought the pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko to power for a slowdown in the process of Belarusian-Russian integration.

While addressing the legislature on Tuesday, the Belarusian leader reaffirmed his determination to develop all-round cooperation with “brotherly Russia.”

“Belarus is situated between the two huge rich markets of Russia and the European Union, and it would be a great mistake not to use it,” he said while speaking about the country’s foreign-policy priorities.

The head of state stressed that relations between Belarus and Russia would continue developing on the basis of the Union State Treaty. “We are not only partners in diplomacy but also military allies. We are ready for any challenges in this unity,” he noted.

Although acknowledging that “there are those who hate us, who don’t accept us in Russia,” the Belarusian leader stressed that “the Russian people in general understands that Belarus is unfortunately the only reliable partner and ally of the Russian Federation.”