You're reading: Putin: Unification of Russia and Belarus desirable, depends on Belarusians

The unification of Russia and Belarus fully depends on the will of Belarusians, and if they desire this, they should fight for it, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during the Seliger-2011 youth forum.

When asked whether Russia and Belarus could reunite into one whole, Putin said that "this is possible, desirable, and fully and 100% depends on the will of the Belarusian people."

A young man representing Belarus said that Belarusians wanted this.

"Then fight for this," Putin replied.

There are various opinions in Belarus as far as integration is concerned, Putin said, adding that it is important that calls in support of integration be heeded.

"Despite the difficulties that arise from time to time in the economic sphere, energy, and the gas spat, one should do justice to the republic’s current leadership and Lukashenko Alexandr Grigoryevich, who consistently follows the path of integration with Russia," Putin said.