During the XIX century Russia comprised about 70 Gobernorates, without any distinction between present day Russia, Ukraine, Kazahstan or Belarus. Those Republics are a Soviet creation along ethnic and linguistic lines. But, as we all know, most Belarussians use Russian as their vehicular language, and in fact Belarus is by language more "russified" than Tuva... So trying to build an "Other" from Russia is like trying to divide Belarus itself between the Russian speaking majority and the Belorussian speaking minority. Something absurd. Private Belorussian companies are eager for a deeper integration between Russia and Belarus. A FTA, a Customs Union, a common currency, a broad market of 150 million people...All that is much more in the benefit of Belorussian companies than on the Russian side which by itself mean a huge market of 141 million people. By language, history, culture, family and every kind of links, it is easier for Belorussian corporations selling their products in Russia rather than in any other neighbor nation where they are not competitive enough. Russia is a natural market for Belorussian companies and a logical tourist destination for the Belorussian people. No need for visas at all. Access to Russian media corporations (TV, newspapers, internet companies) is also logical given the shared language. In fact, Russian search engines like Yandex.com or Vcontacte are as much a hit in Belarus as in Russia. The same way as Spain´s companies like Santander, Telefonica, Repsol, BBVA, Mapfre, Endesa etc. did in Latinamerica given our shared language and historical ties, so dozens of companies got the necessary size to compete in the World stage with succees, Russia can do in Russian speaking nations. In fact, breaking the common market, the common currency and public Corporations was a terrible mistake which has cost a lot of $billions.

This is a very well written and honestly sent to the pround people of Belarus. I hope that those two brotherly people will overcome political disputes between their temporary leaders.

Well said, Mr. President!

Enrique, yours is a very well thought out comment and it makes perfect sense. Yes, thoughtlessly breaking up the country and the common market was a terrible waste. It was the case of throwing out the baby with the bath water. And it still continues. It appears most of the "former soviet republics" need to experience for themselves the price of "freedom," like it happened in Ukraine. Having done a 180 degree turn in the "Orange" 2004, they've done another 180 degree turn again all the way back to "Blue" Yanukovich. It happened because Ukrainian people finally grasped that Russia is indeed their natural market and natural ally and that roads alsewhere aren't really paved with gold. Many hoped that Belarussians were smart enough to avoid mistakes like Ukraine's, but it appears that every country has to learn it's lessons in it's own time. So, they'll learn theirs some time too, we hope. Unless Belarussian people elect someone with better sense. Good luck to them anyway. They are our brothers and sisters and we wish them all the best.

as a friend and a well wisher for Russia and it people, I ask the president and Pm of Russia to try t0 encourage the Russian scientists living abroad to come home and pay them more and them special privilages to help develop Russia like those who have won the Noble prize and not leave them for the brits and the Americans ,I urge you to do this as a priority for the sake of Russia,thanks.

Larisa, darling, what are you talking about? How could you compare what was going on in Ukraine during and after Orange revolution and the deliberate campaign against Belorussian president who had fell out with Mr Medvedev&Co for purely economic reasons, namely his unwillingness to sell out whatever is left to be sold to Russian business sharks? The very fact that that Lukashenko-is-bad-bad-bad-boy movie was shown on Russian TV channel that belongs to Gazprom says more than enough. The fact that Mr Medvedev lies ( just to remind you, to lie: to express what is false; convey a false impression) right to our faces is significant enough as well. What I can't understand is what Russian government and almost spineless Duma are hoping for? That the Russians, Belorussians and other who are interested in what is going on in this part of the world are that stupid? It's not that easy anymore - in our times all you need to get more or less clear pic of what is going on is just google it.

Telling us that President Medvedev is full of lies, and that we only need to google it to see for ourselves, is simply crap. The onus is on you to prove your points, not for us to do it for you. Maybe Medvedev is making Lukashenko look bad, that is possible. However, he isn't lying about the economic aid that Russia has been providing for 20 years. For better or for worse, Russia has been providing incalculable assistance to the Belorussian economy, Russia has not been forcing anyone to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and even if it has to some, nowhere near to the same extent the US and Western Europe have been pushing countries to recognise Kosovo. All countries have their own interests at heart. All leaders have their own interests at heart as well. Until you actually do more than call the Russian government vile, spineless, and Russian companies sharks, and then say google it to see for yourselves, you're not gonna convince anyone of anything.

Congratulation Medvedev you became Obama's polite dog.

Dear Goran, the definition of onus is a burden of responsibility. Sorry to upset you, I feel none whatsoever. You haven't held your president responsible to prove what he blamed Belorussian president in, so, why should I, a mere common, do that for you? Had Russia helped Belarus economically all those years? Of course, it had but for the skinclose reasons and not for the 'nowhere-to-run-from' pandemic Slavic love & brotherhood. Of course, it should have had stated beforehand it expects eventual subjugation in return, but what the heck, were such little details really that important? But Mr Medvedev's lie wasn't exactly about that. He lied about everything else. FYI, there were/is no anti-Russian theme being pushed through in the presidential campaign in Belarus. All their Lukashenko said was he has no good, to put it mildly, relationship with Mr Medvedev. I guess, the imperial habit to think for a head of state he himself is the state, - just like a habit to assume one person has the right to speak for numerous others à la We, the Emperor of ....(seeps through your post as well), - is the only excuse for Mr Medvedev. That's, of course, if his true goal wasn't intentional interference into internal affairs of neighboring independent state by sheer manipulation of the facts. However, I know it was. As for you...what can I say....Just google it.

Tensions between the two Heads of Governments should be kept to a minimum. There is a lot at stake as the desire of NATO to come closer to the territory of the ex-Soviet Union will only increase in the coming months and years. But it is not only the two Governments which must be wary of the expanionist plans. The two people, the ordinary people must realise the importance of sorting out any differences in the name of good neighbourly relationships and future prosperity.

Dear NJSmith, You can't understand what Russian government and yes, almost spineless Duma, are hoping for for the simple reason that the supposition "hoping" in your dilemma is wrong, or rather irrelevant. Incidentally, the delineation of this or that political or of any other kind of ''actuality" is that maximum public (as we are) can basically expect from any political leader. And then it is clear now why did you need to expound Larisa what an expression "to lie" connotes for.

The fall of the wall brought untold Capitalist encroachment to proud Russia. The people were sold out just as we are now in the US. The most corrupt power is unleashed when darwinian capitalists smell money and enslavement of people to cheap plastic crap made by impoverished workers, a la China, Mexico et.al. Come on, wake up be nationalistic, look after your people as the latin leftists are doing. Let Hugo Chavez be your example, not the US. The capitalist system along with the Dollar is passing into history, do not be sold on the lies and shiny toys which bring empty, souless waste of precious time and natural resources. President, eschew the Amerikan model which has been the world's nightmare for 200 years. It is successful only because it is based on greed and aggression which are the worst of human traits, no lasting good will come of it. It's end is at hand. And make no, President Chavez will not compromise on his stand against imperialist capitalism.

I hope politicians on all sides will not forget the 27 to 40 million innocent Russians who died in the Great Patriotic War. They did not ask to be treated and die like that. Russia should keep Western Europe at arms length. DON New Zealand

@doninnz My best friend’s mother was a German citizen living in Berlin when the Soviet Army invaded her city. She told me that they were hoping that the American Army would reach Berlin first, because the Soviet Army was very brutal. She told me that there were many German girls and women who were raped by the soldiers of the invading Soviet Army in Berlin between 1945 and 1948. Perhaps if President Medvedev is reading his own blog, maybe he should apologize on behalf of his government to the German women who still remember these horrible atrocities.

Just exchanging it (an apology) with those of Frau Merkel, right? @doninnz, you can't be serious!

I don't know what Medvedev supposedly lied about, but I did not see much evidence for lies in the 2 years that I have been reading news about him. I have noticed, however, that Lukashenko likes to play both ends against the middle, and he was "in the money" when USA and Russia were at odds, especially in 2008. When he can't get money from Europe or USA, then he is friendly with Russia again, or at least until the next gas price negotiations start. When Lukashenko is not being quite so irritating, I do feel sorry for him in a very small way. After all, he is trying to keep a corrupt, Soviet-style government going without any money. He must be desperate for funds.

NJSmith, Mr. Medvedev is not my president. I do not have a president. I know the definition of "onus" and yes, it really is your responsibility to provide sources for your claims, and not my own, to prove what you are saying it correct. You cannot make and claim and just tell people that "the prove is out there, just search on google." You are the one saying that Medvedev is lying through his teeth. I have not made any claims other than stating it is indeed possible Medvedev is lying, that he is manipulating other nations, but nowhere near to the extent other Great Powers do. I then went on to say you need to back up your claims with sources, rather than telling people to google it. You're really not convincing anyone by trying to flip this around stating that since I'm not holding the so-called "my" president responsible, so why should you. I'm just asking you to back up your claims. If you cannot do that, then they have little-none basis in reality.

Mr. Medvedev shirt'collars is wrong and does not allow the tie ( poors knots) to fit properly giving the impression of boyish appearances ! Secondly it's high time for the president to wear slightly looser jacted and trauzers to give a more senior impression. The day's of the "martinet" look are over. Better change the tailor ! Pietro Cardin

@FC Who are you? The fashion police? Why are you judging the fashion of President Medvedev from one photograph? He looks like a very hard working president! President Medvedev dresses like a true gentleman. I would be more worried if he was more concerned about his appearances than leading his great nation.