Anxiety appears to be spreading among former Soviet republics in the wake of Moscow’s annexation of Crimea.<br /><br />In an address to parliament Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko warned that Russia was trying to re-establish its full historical weight and that old borders were falling apart in front of their eyes.<br /><br />“Any geopolitical issues, especially the ones in eastern Europe, will definitely affect us. In this situation we should stand by out most valuable thing – our country’s independence, a holy right to live on our land and choose our own destiny,” said President Lukashenko before parliament. <br /><br />Lukashenko who has run the ex-Soviet country for almost 20 years, is a close ally of Moscow, but his statement contained a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin of military resistance should he turn his attention to Belarus.<br /><br />However Lukashenko normally follows Russia’s line on international issues being heavily dependent upon it for energy and trade.
