Belarussija eta mozol' Rossii

Belarus is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east. Belarus is often referred to as the "last dictatorship in Europe" due to the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994.

Despite its small size, Belarus is an important regional player, both politically and economically. Belarus has been historically tied to Russia, culturally, linguistically, and politically. Belarus and Russia have a long history of shared culture, language, and traditions.

The close relationship between Belarus and Russia has been a source of controversy. Critics argue that Belarus is little more than a "puppet state" of Russia, with Moscow exerting significant influence over Minsk.

Belarus and Russia have a close economic relationship. Russia is Belarus' largest trading partner, accounting for over 40% of its exports and 70% of its imports. Belarus is heavily reliant on Russia for its energy needs, with Russian oil and gas imports making up a significant portion of its energy consumption.

In recent years, Belarus has sought to balance its relationship with Russia by seeking closer ties with the European Union. Belarus' efforts to improve relations with the EU have been met with resistance from Moscow, which sees any attempt by Minsk to cozy up to Brussels as a threat to Russian interests.

The relationship between Belarus and Russia is complicated, with tensions and disagreements arising from time to time. However, the two countries remain closely linked, and Belarus' future will continue to be closely intertwined with that of Russia.

In conclusion, Belarus can be seen as a "thorn in Russia's side" due to its efforts to seek closer ties with Europe. However, Belarus' identity and future are inextricably linked to its relationship with Russia, and the two countries will likely continue to be closely entwined for years to come.