Europe's Place is with Russia and Belarus: Lukashenko

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated that Europe’s place is with Russia and Belarus, and that the EU has begun to understand its position and the necessity of being an independent player in international relations.

“We are certainly not happy that Europe has more problems than we do, and that they cannot escape the East, not just from buying gas at five times the price that Russia always offers from the Western Hemisphere. We are not pleased. To be honest, I am glad that Europe has finally realized its place,” Lukashenko said during a meeting in Minsk with the governor of Russia's Kirov region, Alexander Sokolov.

Lukashenko noted that “long before any problems arose, I publicly declared that Europe’s place is with Belarus and Russia. This is our home. Here we must seek happiness. They did not understand, and even if they did, they lacked the courage and strength to realize it,” he added.