Russian top lawmakers angered by Lukashenka`s remarks in interview with Reuters :: Charter'97 :: News

Russia`s top lawmakers lashed out at Alyaksandr Lukashenka for criticizing Moscow in his recent interviews with Western media outlets.

"Russian policy is more and more like US policy, which they never cease to criticize," Reuters quoted the Belarusian leader as saying in a February 6 interview. "There is some imperial style in their behavior."

"Russia tries to ignore the former Soviet countries based on the false assumption that they will not go away, they will remain firmly attached but that is a false assumption," Mr. Lukashenka said.

"The Belarusians leader`s remarks, including those concerning relations with Russia, by no means contribute to the establishment of the Union State," the Interfax news agency quoted Vladimir Pekhtin, vice speaker of Russia`s State Duma, as saying.

"Russia is seeking to develop open relations of partnership with all members of the Commonwealth on the CIS territory," the lawmaker said. "The transition to market rules in the energy sphere in relations between Russia and Belarus sets clear and transparent rules of play on mutually beneficial conditions, and we can no longer subsidize the economies of other countries, including of Belarus, at the expense of Russian taxpayers."

Lyubov Slizka, another vice speaker of the Russian lower parliamentary house, accused Mr. Lukashenka of "betraying" the two countries` common interests by attacking Moscow in interviews with the Western media.

"It would be more honest to sit down together with the Russian president and discuss the painful issues, sort out who, why and when did not deliver on the promises, including those regarding the Union State establishment," the politician noted. //BelaPAN