Russian imperialists have insisted that more than any other place within the former Soviet space, Belarus is artificial. They reach this conclusion on the basis that Belarus is culturally related to Russia on many measures, had only a brief experience with national independence before 1991, and—what they see as their trump card—underwent frequent border changes by others, including Moscow. As a result, these Muscovites suggest, Belarusians should not be adverse to the inclusion of what is now an independent state within the borders of the Russian Federation.
Belarusian nationalists have responded by highlighting the distinctiveness of their national language and culture …read more
Source: The Jamestown Foundation