Putin wants to see Belarus and South Ossetia as parts of Russia

• 2.08.2011, 3:10

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin finds Alyaksandr Lukashenka a consistent advocate for the integration with Russia.

He said that in the talk with participants of Seliger 2011 youth forum, Prime TASS reports.

“Despite the problems in the economy, energy and gas sphere, you need to give respect to the leadership of the country, including president Lukashenka, who has consistently followed a path of integration with Russia,” he said.

Asked if formation of a common state of Russia and Belarus on the model of the USSR was possible, the Russian PM said: “This is A – possible, B – very desirable, C – fully depends on the will of people of Belarus.” He added that there are different people in Belarus, who have different approaches to the integration process.

Answering a question if South Ossetia could join Russia, Putin said it depended on the will of the people of South Ossetia.