The Belarus-Russia Union: A Real Alliance Or Fiction?

The Union State of Russia and Belarus, also known as the Union State, is a supranational union that consists of Russia and Belarus. The union was formed on the basis of a previous international treaty between the two countries made on April 2, 1997, with the stated aim of deepening their relationship through economic and defence policy integration. The Union State is ruled by the Supreme State Council, which includes the member heads of states, respective governments, and both chambers of parliaments. Despite the union, both countries currently retain their independence.

The Union State Treaty was signed in 1999

The Union State Treaty was signed on December 8, 1999, by the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. The treaty was ratified by the Russian State Duma and the Belarusian Parliament on December 22, 1999, and January 26, 2000, respectively, with the latter date marking the treaty's coming into effect.

The Union State Treaty was the culmination of several years of negotiations and formal agreements between the two countries, largely driven by economic interests and the desire for greater integration. The treaty aimed to create a confederation, with a common head of state, legislature, flag, coat of arms, anthem, constitution, army, citizenship, and currency. While both countries retain their independence, the Union State is a supranational union with the stated goal of deepening the relationship between Belarus and Russia through economic and defence policy integration.

The Union State has established institutions such as the Union State budget and Union State property, and it funds various programs in fields like space, information technology, agriculture, and border security. The integration of Belarusian and Russian forces into a combined unit is also a key aspect of the treaty.

The Union State Treaty provides for the creation of a single economic space and legal foundations for a common market, monetary union, single tax and pricing policy, and unified development and procurement of defence equipment. It also covers joint jurisdiction areas such as defence policy, legislation harmonization, migration, social security, and combating terrorism.

The signing of the Union State Treaty was influenced by political pressures and the desire to harmonize political and economic differences between the two countries. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's plans for greater integration faced opposition from those seeking to maintain Belarus's independence, as well as from the election of Vladimir Putin as Russian President in 2000.

The Union State has exclusive jurisdiction over the creation of a single economic space

The Union State of Russia and Belarus is a supranational union with the stated aim of deepening the relationship between the two states through economic and defence policy integration. The Union State Treaty, signed on 8 December 1999, outlines the intention to achieve a federation with shared political and economic institutions, similar to the Soviet Union. While both countries retain their independence, the Union State has exclusive jurisdiction over the creation of a single economic space, which is achieved through a phase-by-phase approach.

The Union State's exclusive jurisdiction over the creation of a single economic space is outlined in its founding treaties, which include the Treaty on the Union between Belarus and Russia signed on 2 April 1997, and the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State of Russia and Belarus signed on 8 December 1999. These treaties provide the legal framework for the Union State and establish its governing institutions, such as the Supreme State Council and the Council of Ministers.

The single economic space aims to create a common market, monetary union, and unified economic policies for both countries. This includes the coordination of taxation, pricing, defence equipment procurement, and technical support for the armed forces. The Union State has made progress in this area, with Belarus and Russia cooperating in various sectors, including space, information technology, microelectronics, agriculture, and border security. Since 2000, over RUB50 billion has been allocated to these Union State programs.

To achieve the single economic space, Belarus and Russia have drafted a program of action and road maps to implement the provisions of the Union State Treaty. This includes plans for further unification of their economies and the creation of a de facto confederal state. While there has been progress in some areas, such as customs cooperation and industrial policy coordination, there are still challenges in reaching agreements on more contentious issues like oil and gas prices and the creation of a single currency.

The Union State's exclusive jurisdiction over the single economic space also extends to the legal foundations of this common market. This includes the establishment of common policies on taxation, banking, industry, agriculture, and energy. The Union State seeks to create a unified legal framework that facilitates economic integration and ensures a level playing field for businesses operating in both countries.

In summary, the Union State of Russia and Belarus has exclusive jurisdiction over the creation of a single economic space, as outlined in its founding treaties. This jurisdiction encompasses the development of a common market, monetary union, and unified economic policies. While there have been challenges and setbacks, the Union State continues to work towards deeper economic integration between Belarus and Russia.

The Union State has a stated aim of deepening the relationship between Russia and Belarus

The Union State of Russia and Belarus, or simply the Union State, is a supranational union with the stated aim of deepening the relationship between the two states through economic and defence policy integration. The Union State is the result of a series of agreements and treaties negotiated between 1995 and 1999 by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The first significant step in the integration process was the Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation, signed in 1995. This treaty sought to achieve 'deeper economic integration' and the 'formation of a single economic space', as well as the coordination of military activities between the two countries. This was followed in 1996 by the Treaty on the creation of the Community of Russia and Belarus, which sought further integration in the economic and humanitarian domains, as well as cooperation in foreign policy, security, border protection and crime prevention.

In 1997, the two countries signed the Treaty on the Union of Belarus and Russia, which stipulated the implementation of a coordinated foreign and defence policy, joint citizenship, and a common market for goods, services, capital, and labour. Finally, in 1999, the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State was signed, proposing broad cooperation but stipulating independence for both states. This treaty was ratified by both countries in late 1999 and early 2000, marking the official formation of the Union State.

Since its establishment, the Union State has been most successful in the development of its security fields, with close military cooperation between Russia and Belarus observed during the Russia-Ukraine War. However, the economic and political aspects of integration have proven more challenging, with trade wars and economic restrictions occurring between the two countries throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Despite these challenges, the Union State continues to work towards deepening the relationship between Russia and Belarus, with Russia renewing its push for unification in recent years.

The Union State has been most successful in the development of its security fields

The Union State of Russia and Belarus, officially referred to as the Union State, is a supranational union with the stated aim of deepening the relationship between the two states through economic and defence policy integration. The Union State has been most successful in the development of its security fields.

The Union State's origins lie in the immediate post-Soviet period, with the first significant step in the integration process taken in 1995 when Moscow and Minsk signed the Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation. This treaty sought 'deeper economic integration' and the 'formation of a single economic space', as well as the coordination of military activities between the two countries. This was followed by the 1996 Treaty on the creation of the Community of Russia and Belarus, which sought further integration in the economic and humanitarian domains, as well as cooperation in the field of foreign policy, security, border protection and crime prevention.

In 1997, Belarus and Russia signed the Treaty on the Union of Belarus and Russia, which stipulated the implementation of a coordinated foreign and defence policy, joint citizenship, and a common market for goods, services, capital, and labour. This treaty also changed the name of the Community of Russia and Belarus to the Union of Belarus and Russia. The process concluded with the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State, signed on 8 December 1999. This treaty was ratified by the Russian State Duma and the Belarusian Parliament on 22 December 1999 and 26 January 2000, respectively.

While many of the legal provisions in these treaties have been merely declarative and symbolic in nature, integration in the military domain has proven to be most successful. Within six months of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Belarus and Russia signed their first military agreements, which were supplemented by agreements on the stationing of Russian forces in Belarus and the use of communication and radar facilities. The signing of the first Union Treaty in 1997 was accompanied by a bilateral treaty on military cooperation, while the 1999 Union Treaty contains provisions for a joint military doctrine and the integration of Belarusian and Russian forces from the Western Military District into a combined unit.

Since the formation of the Union State, the close relationship between Russia and Belarus on the security front has been evident. For example, during the initial escalation and continued violence of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian military forces and infrastructure were present on the border of Belarus. Additionally, in October 2022, a contingent of approximately 9,000 Russian soldiers arrived in Belarus to create a "regional military grouping" of the Union State. Russian air forces were also patrolling the borders of the Union State in Belarus during the same month.

The Union State's success in the security field is further demonstrated by the establishment of the Regional Forces Group of Belarus and Russia (RGF) in 2009. The RGF is a military collective that aims to ensure cohesive training, practice, and implementation of military interests for both nations. Furthermore, the military doctrine of the Russian Federation authorises Moscow to "take measures in response" to any armed attack on a state participant in the Union State, demonstrating the commitment to collective protection and security within the Union.

The Union State grants citizenship to citizens of both Russia and Belarus

The Union State of Russia and Belarus is a supranational union that consists of Belarus and Russia. It was formed with the aim of deepening the relationship between the two states through economic and defence policy integration. The Union State grants citizenship to citizens of both Russia and Belarus. This means that citizens of the two countries are also citizens of the Union and have the right to move and reside freely within the territory of the other party. For instance, a Belarusian citizen can travel, work, or study in Russia and vice versa. They can also possess, use, and dispose of property in the other state. Notably, citizens of Russia and Belarus can work and permanently settle in either country without undergoing the formal immigration procedures that are typically required for foreign nationals.

The Union State of Russia and Belarus was officially established on 8 December 1999, with the signing of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State. This treaty was ratified by the Russian State Duma and the Belarusian Parliament on 22 December 1999 and 26 January 2000, respectively. The formation of the Union State was the culmination of several years of negotiations and formal agreements between the two countries, primarily between Russian President Yeltsin and Belarusian President Lukashenko from 1995 to 1999.

The Union State is based on a previous international treaty between Russia and Belarus, signed on 2 April 1997, known as the "Treaty on the Union between Belarus and Russia." This treaty strengthened the basis of the union and changed its name to the Union of Belarus and Russia. Prior to this, the Community of Belarus and Russia was founded on 2 April 1996, following agreements in 1995 that established a Russian military presence in Belarus.

The Union State's focus on economic integration and citizenship rights has had a significant impact on the relationship between Russia and Belarus. It has facilitated closer ties and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the economic, military, and political spheres. The Union State's programs in various fields, such as agriculture, border security, and space, are funded through the Union State budget, demonstrating the commitment to economic integration and the development of joint initiatives.

Frequently asked questions