[Jim Noble]

In it, Putin insisted that Belarusians, Russians, and Ukrainians are all descendants of the Rus, an ancient people who settled the lands between the Black and Baltic Seas. He asserted that they are bound together by a common territory and language and the Orthodox Christian faith.

Where's the lie?

[dforest]

Tell me where I mentioned a lie?

[AZJeep]

Well, Belorussian and Ukrainian are actually closer to Polish than to Russians. Both languages have more vocabulary common with Polish than with Russian.
Like I mentioned before, there is a movement trying to reunite (by peaceful means) the former Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth.
Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Latvia.
It will probably never happen, except if Putin forces it!
Together it will be the country close to Russia in population and can stand up to any Putin’s endeavors.
I guess, if Putin keeps going, the situation for him will get even worse!