Russian Ambassador Wary Of Maidan In Belarus

The diplomat called such development of affairs “possible”, and assured that Russia is watching them closely.

Alexander Surikov, Russian Ambassador to Belarus, told so in an interview to Interfax-Zapad.

“The political sphere draws deliberate attention of the Russian Embassy in Minsk, and Ukraine is an example for that. Both Russian and Belarusian sides should take the events in Ukraine with due understanding, drawing conclusions from them… Russia, as well as Belarus and Western countries are going to learn a lesson from the Ukrainian events,” – Surikov said.

“It is obvious that the next action, limiting the “fraternal integration” between Russia and Belarus could be actions aimed at disuniting our countries on the part of “friends”, who are not interested in strengthening other unions in the world except their own. Very serious political issues are surfacing, and together with the Belarusian side we are observing them, not to get tangled in an unpleasant situation like the Ukrainian one,” – Surikov stated.

Belarus’ building up relations with the European Union and other countries should develop considering the established strategic cooperation of Minsk and Moscow, Surikov believes.

“The desire of Belarus to enter a calmer situation after the international isolation is totally understandable and objective. Belarus is a European country, which is situated closer to Europe than us, and it would like to cooperate with Europe. But one should single out the core from possible actions and build the relations with the West and other countries so that the relations with the “fraternal” Russia are not infringed upon,” – Surikov said.

“Recently the United States is working at forming of two conglomerates – the Euro-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific communities, and they do not want to be hindered,” – the ambassador said.

“What is needed for Russia not to interfere, and the colleagues across the ocean feel comfortable? To create insurmountable obstacles for a possible Eurasian integration process on our continent, and undoubtedly, efforts of our overseas “brothers” are primarily targeted at that. That’s the origin of the events in Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the possible events in Belarus. That’s the picture in which all the current developments fit,” – Surikov noted.

Alexander Surikov also touched upon the issue of the Russian airbase in Belarus.

“I think there is no use proposing the issue of the airbase to the agenda, nothing especially fearful is threatening us in the world,” – Surikov said.

According to the ambassador, the question of the Russian airbase is not deliberately put off, but is in the talking stage.

“There are a number of tangible issues, I am not a pilot, and I hesitate to reason upon speeds, time of flight, and other nuances. Time will pass, and the project is to finish in this or that way – let’s wait and see in which way exactly,” – the diplomat stressed.

As informed by charter97.org earlier, the former chief of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Directorate for International Military Cooperation Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov said that “Russia won’t allow pro-Western political forces’ coming to power in Belarus.” The Colonel-General also said about the airbase that legal arrangements in Belarus are not necessary for it, as even without that Russia is ready for rapid projection of its air forces and other troops to Belarus.