Ukraine wonders why its “reunification” with Russia celebrated in Minsk

The Ukrainian side refused to take part in organising an exhibition dedicated to 355 anniversary of “reunification” of Ukraine and Russia.

The exhibition has opened in the CIS executive committee in Minsk on Monday.

“Our Ukrainian colleagues have refused to participate in organising the exhibition dedicated to the 355th anniversary of Ukraine and Russia’s “reunification”, explaining that by the fact that this day is not a national holiday in Ukraine,” Russia’s Permanent Representative to the CIS charter bodies Evgeny Belov said to Interfax after the opening ceremony.

“This date is not a holiday in our country either. It is just a day,” he said. Besides, E. Belov added that it is “not the first exhibition about history of Russia held in the CIS executive committee in Minsk. In 2008 we held an exhibition dedicated to Georgia’s joining Russia, and we are ready to continue acquainting with the history of the Russian sate”.

Answering the questions of journalists about whether this exhibition held after gas row of Russia and Ukraine is a political or cultural action, E. Belov underlined that “it is unquestionably a cultural action. It is important to know the history of one’s country.” He noted that there is a variety of opinions on the history of Ukraine and Russia’s “reunification” 355 years ago.

“Russia’s position remained unchanged, and the point of view on these events of some Ukrainian historians has changed,” E. Belov noted.