Belarus accepts Crimea’s reunification with Russia understandingly and now it is important that Minsk build relations with the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol the way it does with other Russian regions, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov told TASS on Friday.
“I don’t understand this question,” he said when asked whether Minsk can recognize Crimea’s reunification with Russia. “It’s like asking the Belarusians about recognition of Russia’s Magadan region. Belarus has brotherly relations with Russia. It recognizes Russia as a sovereign state. So, why should it recognize a Russian region?”
“Belarus takes the situation in Crimea with understanding, with cautious understanding, of course. And it is understandable,” he said. “Back then it told [Ukraine – TASS]: you have missed out on it and Crimea is Russia’s de facto. It is important that Belarus, seeing that, build trade-and-economic and cultural relations with the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol exactly as it does with other Russian constituent regions.”