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Russia has excellent allies – the BRICS countries. You couldn't ask for better. And Belarus too.

As a Belarusian, I find this statement very interesting. Are we a great ally (along with BRICS), or are we worse/better? Here's how the situation between Ukraine and Russia looks to me, a resident of a country with a population smaller than Moscow: Ukraine is perhaps the most desirable ally out of all the former Soviet republics. First, it has 46 million people, which is a THIRD of Russia's population. Second, its geographical location and industry are significant. If Belarus is already in a tight grip, then Ukraine is simply destined to be with Russia. The question is how it will be implemented. From this, the interests of the EU and others are also clear: First, to hinder Russia (there may not even be any global conspiracies here – it's simply a matter of business). Second, those same 46 million "Europe-hungry" people, cheap labor, and a solid market. Third, Ukraine is a "former, fully-fledged part of the USSR" (unlike Moldova or Yugoslavia), and in terms of industrial power, it is on par with Spain and Italy. Therefore, I am convinced that if Belarus could be "given to Europe," Ukraine never could. And, even in the most negative outcome, with a catastrophic escalation of the current situation, the ultimate outcome will be the forceful annexation of Ukraine by Russia. Of course, one wants to believe in the will of the people, in the fact that we ourselves decide where to go and with whom to be, but in the end, everything will be as agreed upon by the "elites," and the people will be given the "right" facts to swallow (a nationwide referendum will be held, where 80% of the population will want to join the Customs Union, just as 90% support our president)