Russian Ambassador to Belarus on Russians and Belarusians: We are one people
Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov made new statements that effectively deny Belarusians their distinct identity. He simply stated that he sees no difference between Russians and Belarusians and called for further integration.
Boris Gryzlov. Photo: United Russia
Moscow and Minsk hold identical positions on all issues of bilateral and international relations, says Gryzlov. Because of this, he stated, "one cannot speak of Russians and Belarusians separately, in isolation from each other."
"In this sense, we are one people — we think alike, dream, hope, live similar lives, lead similar lifestyles. I do not believe it is correct to draw a dividing line between our peoples and speak of differences as such.
Russia is a multinational country, it is home to Belarusians, among hundreds of other peoples. In turn, quite a few Russians live in Belarus.
So how can one say that we differ in any way? The thesis "Two countries — one Fatherland" best encapsulates the understanding of our unity, based on common historical roots, memory, religion, and prolonged shared living within common borders," says Gryzlov.
According to him, the fact that Belarus has not become Ukraine does not mean that attempts are not being made to turn Belarus into Ukraine.
"In the hybrid aggression unleashed by Western elites against Russia, the ancient "divide and conquer" remains the main principle and model of behavior. This is a dangerous game, also directed against the union of Russia and Belarus, designed to create a false image in the fraternal Belarusian people of a hostile powerful neighbor who dreams (it's not entirely clear why) of subjugating and seizing," says the ambassador.
Enemies want to destroy the union of Russia and Belarus, says Gryzlov. "In this context, it is very important not to allow our ill-wishers to "obscure" and distort the genuine facts of our common history, meticulously presented in scientific works, which clearly and precisely show that the union of Russia and Belarus is conditioned not by temporary political considerations, nor by immediate economic interests, but by the very essence of the relationship between our peoples and countries," he says.