Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko Ukraine’s federalization will split and destroy the Ukrainian state

ITAR TASS (Russia): 13. April 2014

One of Putin's key allies confront Moscow? Belarus President Lukashenko :

"I am categorically against federalization" 

МINSK, April 13, 17:38 /ITAR-TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Sunday voiced support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and said that federalization would eventually destroy the Ukrainian state.

“If you want to preserve Ukraine as a single state, and I want to see Ukraine as an integral monolithic and unified state very much, we should not go ahead with federalization. It’s going to split the country in future and will eventually destroy the Ukrainian state,” Lukashenko said in the weekend “Final Programme” on Russia’s NTV television channel on Sunday. The extracts of Lukashenko’s interview have been published by his press service.

“I do not even want to discuss this subject. I am categorically against federalization because I am for a single and unified Ukraine,” the Belarusian president stressed, noting it was dangerous to push Ukraine towards federalization.

Acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov (L) during meeting with Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko (R) in Lukashenko´s Lyaskovichi residence, near Gomel, some 40 km from the Ukrainian frontier, on March 29, 2014. 

“It is dangerous both for Belarus and Russia and the West. People there (in Ukraine) will never come to terms with that. Just never,” the Belarusian leader explained.Lukashenko's Belarus, for so long close Russia's ally, on March 22nd strongly criticises Putin’s Crimea grab.

During those events Lukashenko said:

"The sight of protesters taking to the streets of Kiev and removing their president in February made me disgusted and repelled. It is not OK when the legitimate government is deposed this way and a new government is installed,” he said.

But much more than that Belarus has been unsettled by Russia’s declaration that it has the right to intervene in neighbouring countries to protect Russian minorities. About 11 per cent of Belarus’ population are ethnic Russians, and 70 per cent of the population are primarily Russian speakers.

That declaration – delivered by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, as a justification for seizing Crimea – has stirred fears that other nearby countries and regions could also be vulnerable.

Like Ukraine, Belarus gave up its nuclear weapons inherited after the fall of the Soviet Union in return for Britain, the US and Russia guaranteeing its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I would say to the west that Crimea is not dangerous because it has become a part of Russia, what is important is the precedent,” said Mr Lukashenko.

Belarus President Lukashenko passing by Belarus presidential guards

Belarus President has also been carefully unenthusiastic about Russia’s annexation of Crimea. “Crimea today is a part of Russia, and recognising or not recognising that fact changes nothing,” he said.

He also appeared cool towards the Russian proposal (presented in March) that Ukraine be turned into a federal state – one of Moscow’s controversial proposals for ending the conflict with its neighbour. The scheme is popular in southern and eastern Ukraine, populated largely by Russians and Russian speakers who want less control from Kiev.

“A federation is a piano on which forces from the one side or the other side will play, including those from outside,” the Belarusian leader said. “That will permanently destabilise the situation.”