Opinions & Interviews

Belarus’ stance in favor of recognizing Crimea as Russian territory remains unchanged

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – Belarus’ stance on Crimea remains just the way it was. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the relevant statement in an interview with the news agency RIA Novosti, BelTA has learned. Some parts of the interview have been published by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Twitter.

Vladimir Makei said: “Belarus’ stance on Crimea remains just the way it was. In reality we understand that Crimea is a Russian territory now. Let’s proceed from that.”

The matter of Crimea was unexpectedly raised at the latest session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia on 4 November. President of Russia Vladimir Putin took part in the session while in Sevastopol to celebrate Russia’s National Unity Day. Bearing it in mind, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko jokingly regretted the fact that his Russian counterpart had not invited him to come to Crimea. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “In conclusion I would like to complain to members of the Supreme State Council. Ukraine has closed the sky for Belarus and we cannot get to Crimea via Ukraine in any way. While we have properties and some other problems over there. And Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] had been promising me all the time that he would take me to Crimea, show new things, what new things have been done over there. And a lot has been done. He promised he would take me to Crimea along the way. But today he went there alone and didn’t invite me to come along. This is why I present my complaint before members of the Supreme State Council.”

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