Lukashenko pointed out the impossibility for Europe to exist without Russia and Belarus

Europe cannot exist without Belarus and Russia. This statement was made by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on December 23.

"I think sooner or later <...> Europe will open up for us. Europe can't exist without Russia, it can't exist without us," BelTA quoted him as saying.

In addition, Lukashenko shared his opinion that in time, Ukraine will cooperate with Belarus and Russia, "Gazeta.Ru." He added that the relations between the states would be normalized.

Plus everyone: who was hit by the new EU sanctions

And why the approval of another package speaks of Russia's successful resistance to Western pressure

Earlier, December 21, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the EU to reconsider sanctions against Russia, which hinder the development of the countries of the association. According to him, the restrictions need to be lifted as soon as possible, and "as fully as possible."

Before that, on December 18, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that nothing so far foreshadowed a change in relations between Russia and Europe after US President-elect Donald Trump came to power. He emphasized that Europe had lost its independence, giving it to the American side.