Are Belarusians pro-Russian?

Most Belarusians do not have access to independent media and as a result public opinion in the country is determined by the state-run media. However, despite the pro-Russian and anti-Western rhetoric which dominates this media, only a minority (albeit a significant one) favours even closer links with Russia. A poll conducted by the Institute for Independent Social and Economic Political Research in June 2009 showed 42.1 per cent of respondents favoured a union with Russia and 41.4  per cent favoured joining the EU.