Expert compared development paths of Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and gave advice to Baltic States

During his recent official visit to Moscow, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko called the Belarusian-Russian relations an example for many others. The states pursue their own policies, respect each other's interests, and help each other. Such steps have become a good tradition in the development of the Union State. In his talk with Alfa Radio, Vadim Gigin, a deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, the Director General of the National Library of Belarus, the Chairman of the Belarusian Znanie [Knowledge] Society, commented on the topic.

The MP stated that the Union State is really an example for others. “I can understand some of our allies and colleagues in the post-Soviet space who tried to find the right way in choosing what side to support in this difficult situation. It is no need to go far, just look at three states as an example: Belarus, Ukraine and Georgia. Since 1994, Belarus was in a very difficult economic situation, but it then placed a stake on the rapprochement with Russia – remaining true to this course until now. It was not for nothing that our President said in Moscow that the citizens of Belarus had voted for the ‘Together with Russia’ slogan during the election. Belarusians are following along this path and, as a result, they live in a prosperous, successful republic where security is ensured and everything is fine with sovereignty. The Head of State fully controls the situation in the country and participates in key foreign policy decisions that affect the interests of the Union State. In turn, what has Ukraine, which built itself as an anti-Russia, come to? The terms of its surrender are now being discussed. Kiev regime's renunciation of the territories is a surrender, actually. There are huge losses and casualties there. As for Georgia, it took a course towards the West in times of Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency. The country got into some kind of war instead of co-operating normally with Russia and resolving the existing territorial issues. I am convinced the latter would have been settled. Instead, they preferred a tough confrontation,” Mr. Gigin said.

The expert added that the current Georgian leadership has to gradually turn away from the West, because life dictates conditions, “The West is actually pushing it away, because an independent policy – which is inevitably inspiring Georgia to co-operate with Russia – has begun to be pursued there. What else is needed in order to understand where the path of the former Soviet republics – and, by and large, a broader political area – is leading to?”

Mr. Gigin stated that this is the path not only for the former Soviet Union states, but also for the Balkans, “I am sure they have no alternative. This also applies to many Eastern European countries, the Baltic States. Their current policy is anti-Russian, building some kind of walls in the East is an absolutely mad idea. Actually, it is in the national interests of the Baltic States to maintain normal and friendly relations with Russia, but these countries will constantly have problems until they stop pursuing their anti-Russian policy.”