Ukraine has recalled its ambassador from Belarus for consultations, reported "RBK -Ukraine" with reference to the representative of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Evgeniya Perebeynisa.

According to the official, the decision was made in connection with the recent statement of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on Crimea.

Lukashenko has recently stated that Crimea became a Russian territory. "Crimea today is part of the territory of the Russian Federation. You may accept it or not - it will not change anything" - he said.

Lukashenko laid the responsibility for the leaving of the region from Ukraine on the new leadership of this country. "Why was it necessary to prohibit the Russian language upon coming to power, and push the Russian-speaking people? - he said. - It is said that Russia "chopped off" the Crimea… But there are 2.5 million Russians in the Crimea and Russia intervened. But the reason and the cause were given by these authorities."

The Ukrainian authorities consider the referendum in the Crimea illegal, and accused Russia of "annexation". The position of the official Kiev not recognizing the separation of Crimea is supported by the U.S. and EU countries, as well as some of the former Soviet republics (in particular, Moldova and Georgia ).

Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from “Lenta.ru” of 24 03 2014

For effective complex defence of Latvia, the establishment of a permanent division of the National Armed Forces has started in Latgale, reported the official website of the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 January a concert "Together to the victory" was held in Lithuania, where the audience decided to support Ukraine's defence and donated 110 thousand Euros.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.