Russia's Medvedev urges Lukashenko to investigate disappearences in Belarus
Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev talks tough about relations with Belarusian leadership in his video blog on Sunday.
In his statement, apparently addressed to both Russians and Belarusians, the Russian leader slammed Lukashenka for 'anti-Russian rhetoric' and reminded about the disappeared members of the Belarusian opposition.
The Belarusian leadership is trying to pass Russia off as the country's main enemy, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.
"The Belarusian leadership has always been characterized by a desire to create an external enemy image in the public consciousness. The United Sates, Europe and the Western countries acted as such 'enemies' earlier. Now Russia is declared the enemy," Medvedev said in his video blog.
Minsk's refusal to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia is dishonest and Russia will take this stance into account when building up relations with incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Medvedev continued.
"Such behavior is dishonest; partners do not act this way," Medvedev said.
The Belarusian president promised to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in early August. Lukashenko made his promise in the presence of several CIS leaders.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which both split from Georgia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, two weeks after the end of a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008.
The move was heavily criticized by Western powers. So far, only Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny island nation of Nauru have followed suit.
There has been speculation that Russia, which has traditionally backed former collective farm manger Lukashenko, may lend its support to an opposition candidate in time of the December 19 presidential election.
Lukashenko has expressed confidence that neither the Kremlin, nor the West would exert pressure on Belarus during the forthcoming polls.
In his statement, apparently addressed to both Russians and Belarusians, the Russian leader slammed Lukashenka for 'anti-Russian rhetoric' and reminded about the disappeared members of the Belarusian opposition.
The Belarusian leadership is trying to pass Russia off as the country's main enemy, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.
"The Belarusian leadership has always been characterized by a desire to create an external enemy image in the public consciousness. The United Sates, Europe and the Western countries acted as such 'enemies' earlier. Now Russia is declared the enemy," Medvedev said in his video blog.
Minsk's refusal to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia is dishonest and Russia will take this stance into account when building up relations with incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Medvedev continued.
"Such behavior is dishonest; partners do not act this way," Medvedev said.
The Belarusian president promised to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in early August. Lukashenko made his promise in the presence of several CIS leaders.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which both split from Georgia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, two weeks after the end of a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008.
The move was heavily criticized by Western powers. So far, only Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny island nation of Nauru have followed suit.
There has been speculation that Russia, which has traditionally backed former collective farm manger Lukashenko, may lend its support to an opposition candidate in time of the December 19 presidential election.
Lukashenko has expressed confidence that neither the Kremlin, nor the West would exert pressure on Belarus during the forthcoming polls.
