[Paul_S]

Ah, yes. Back in the communist era my country was also an independent democracy (with electoral turnout of almost 100%, more democratic than the rotten west!) who just happened to be gloriously "cooperating" with our soviet brothers... and then there was reality.

[gdy]

You should read more about Russia-Belarus relations, like tensions regarding Eurasian Economic Union or Belarus's refusal to recognize independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia or Crimea reunification.

And, by the way, it's been more than 25 years since the dissolution of Soviet Union in case they haven't told you that after unfreezing you.