Poklonskaya: 'Even the birch trees are cleaner here'

Russian Prosecutor General's advisor Natalia Poklonskaya rarely speaks about authority. This time, she did.

"All of this together — the people, the citizens, the Belarusians who relate to their land, to their Motherland, to their cities like this — and the authorities. All of this together has created such a favourable environment. The mere fact that the city is like this."

"Now I understand that the word 'Batka' is warm, familial. And I realize he truly is Batka — in the kindest sense. It's your word, because you feel a master's hand. You drive along — even the birch trees are cleaner here. It feels as if the birches have been washed: they're glowing, standing there beautiful."

There is also a personal connection. Her grandfather was from Belarus.

"Belarusian blood flows in me. Maybe that's why I feel so much at home here, as if it's something different — but very familiar."