Russia-Belarus Union: Is Belarus Becoming A Russian State?

Belarus and Russia share a border and a close relationship since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Belarus, formerly known as White Russia, was the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in the Soviet Union, alongside Russia and Ukraine. Since declaring independence in 1991, Belarus has retained close ties with its most dominant neighbour, Russia. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, which aimed to create a politically integrated confederation with a common currency. However, the precise nature of their partnership has remained somewhat unclear. This paragraph will explore the relationship between Belarus and Russia and discuss whether Belarus is considered part of the Russian Federation.

Belarus and Russia share a land border

The two countries have a close relationship, with Russia being Belarus's largest and most important economic and political partner. They are members of several international organisations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the United Nations.

Historically, Russia occupied Belarus at the end of the 18th century, and it became part of the Soviet Union in the 20th century. In 1991, Belarus gained independence from the Soviet Union, and since then, it has retained close ties with Russia. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, aiming to create a politically integrated confederation. This agreement set out several goals, including ensuring peaceful and democratic development, establishing a single economic and customs area, and pursuing agreed-upon foreign, defence, and social policies.

The strategic partnership between Belarus and Russia is based on geographic location, shared history and culture, economic ties, and cooperation between businesses. Both countries have also established a joint regional military force and coordinate their air defence systems and military exercises.

Despite their close relationship, there have been periods of tension between Belarus and Russia. In 2020, for example, there were new tensions when the Belarusian president accused Russia of trying to incorporate Belarus into Russia, leading to Russia cutting economic subsidies. However, the two countries continue to work together in various domains, including security, defence, and economic development.

The two countries have a strategic partnership

Belarus and Russia share a land border and constitute the supranational Union State. The two countries have a complex and unique relationship, with a strategic partnership based on their geographic location, shared history and culture, intertwined economies, and cooperation between businesses.

The Agreement on the Establishment of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, signed by the heads of state in 1999, set a legal basis for integration between the two countries. This agreement outlined several key goals, including ensuring peaceful and democratic development, establishing a single economic and customs area, and pursuing agreed-upon foreign, defence, and social policies.

Russia is Belarus's largest and most important economic and political partner, with Russia accounting for more than half of Belarus's foreign trade. They are both members of various international organisations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the United Nations.

The two countries have strong military ties, with joint military exercises, coordinated air defence systems, and a joint regional military force. They also cooperate in the fields of security, defence, anti-terrorist activities, and the fight against crime, signing several bilateral agreements in these areas.

In addition to economic and military ties, Belarus and Russia also have cultural ties, with joint cultural projects such as the annual festival Slaviansky Bazar in Vitebsk and various joint art, theatre, and cinema festivals.

However, it is important to note that the relationship between Belarus and Russia is not entirely harmonious. Belarus values its sovereignty and strives to demonstrate its independence, even if these demonstrations are symbolic or suppressed. Additionally, there have been tensions and conflicts, such as the 2004 Russia-Belarus gas dispute and trade disputes, that have impacted their relationship.

Belarus is not part of the Russian Federation

Belarus is a distinct country and is not part of the Russian Federation. Belarus is a unitary democratic welfare rule-of-law state with a presidential republic political structure. It has its own constitution, with amendments and addenda passed at national referendums. Belarus has its own official languages—Belarusian and Russian—and its own currency, the Belarusian rubel.

Belarus became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. It has retained close ties to Russia, its most dominant neighbour, since then. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, which aimed to create a politically integrated confederation with a common currency. However, Belarus refused to be incorporated into the Russian Federation and the status quo was maintained.

The two countries do have a strategic partnership, which is based on their geographic location, close historic and cultural links, and economic ties. They coordinate their foreign policies and have a joint regional military force. They also work together to prevent and suppress crime, terrorism, and human trafficking. Belarus and Russia have also set up a single system of social guarantees, giving their citizens equal rights and opportunities in employment, choice of residence, education, healthcare, and social protection.

Despite their close relationship, Belarus and Russia are two separate nations. Belarus has its own unique culture and identity, and its people are not merely a subgroup of an all-Russian civilization.

Belarus and Russia signed the Union State Foundation Treaty in 1999

Belarus is not part of the Russian Federation. However, the two countries share a land border and constitute the supranational Union State. This Union State is based on a previous international treaty between Russia and Belarus, which was signed on April 2, 1997, with the aim of creating a politically integrated confederation with a common currency.

The Union State of Russia and Belarus was formed in the immediate post-Soviet period and is the result of several years of negotiations and formal agreements between the two countries. The legal basis of the Union State is found in several treaties, accompanied by numerous more specific bilateral agreements. The first significant step in the integration process was the Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation, signed in 1995. 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.

In 1996, both countries signed 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. The process concluded with the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State, signed on December 8, 1999, and ratified by the Russian State Duma and the Belarusian Parliament on December 22, 1999, and January 26, 2000, respectively.

The Union State aimed to create a confederation, but both countries currently retain their independence. The Union State is ruled through the Supreme State Council and other governing bodies, with the stated goal of deepening the relationship between the two states through economic and defence policy integration. The current president of the Supreme State Council of the Union is Alexander Lukashenko, who has held the position since 2000.

Despite the Union State's goals, many of the legal provisions—particularly in the political and economic domains—have been merely declarative and symbolic in nature. For example, plans for a monetary union, a common energy market, and a joint constitution were never implemented, while other agreements, such as the customs union, were reversed soon after implementation. However, integration in the military domain has proven to be most successful, with Belarus and Russia signing their first military agreements within six months of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Belarus is a unitary democratic welfare rule-of-law state

Belarus is not part of the Russian Federation. However, the two countries share a land border and constitute the supranational Union State. Belarus is a unitary democratic welfare rule-of-law state and a presidential republic.

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus of 1994, as amended and supplemented by the national referendums of 24 November 1996, 17 October 2004, and 27 February 2022, provides for the fundamental structure of the Belarusian state. The Republic of Belarus exercises supreme control and absolute authority over its territory and implements its domestic and foreign policies independently.

The human being, their rights, and freedoms are of the highest importance and the supreme goal of Belarusian society and the State. The democratic foundations of Belarusian statehood guarantee the diversity of political institutions, ideologies, and views. The Republic of Belarus is guided by the principle of the rule of law, and all public authorities and officials act within the limits of the Constitution and legislative acts.

Belarus has a three-tier system of government, with the President as the Head of State. The President is not part of any branch of government and has the necessary constitutional powers to ensure the interaction between public authorities and adequate performance of their functions. The President has a say in the formation and functioning of the executive branch and has the right to initiate legislation and sign or reject laws. The President also represents Belarus in relations with other states and international organizations and takes measures to protect the sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity of the country.

The legislative power in Belarus is vested in the National Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. Members of the National Assembly are elected by universal adult suffrage, and the Assembly is responsible for confirming the budget, calling for elections and referenda, and handling domestic, foreign, and military policy. The executive branch of power implements laws and performs managerial functions through central and local bodies such as the Council of Ministers, ministries, state committees, executive committees, and local administrations. The judicial power in Belarus is exercised by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and other lower courts, which have the authority to review the constitutionality of normative acts and control the implementation of laws.

Belarus has a mixed economic system, with a combination of state-owned and private enterprises. The country provides conditions for a decent life for all its citizens, including protection of rights to work, rest, and health, and targeted assistance to those in need. The Belarusian government also provides substantial welfare benefits, such as pensions and paid maternity leave.

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