Russia And Belarus: A Complex Relationship Explored

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus has a population of 9.1 million and spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres.

Belarus was formerly known as Byelorussia or White Russia. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and is no longer part of Russia. However, the two countries share a long and complex history and remain closely linked today. They are united by a common past, geographical proximity, cultural and economic similarities, and a shared border. Both countries have only a formal border that is not subject to customs checks or duties thanks to the Union State treaty and the Eurasian Union. Belarus and Russia also have close military relations and 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.

Despite their close ties, Belarus and Russia are two separate and independent states with distinct languages, histories, and national identities. While many Belarusians speak Russian in their daily lives, Belarusian is also widely spoken and understood. The Belarusian people have a strong sense of national identity and sovereignty, which has been a source of tension in their relationship with Russia. Belarus has resisted full integration with Russia and sought to maintain its independence, resulting in occasional disputes and strained relations between the two countries.

Belarus and Russia share a land border and are in a supranational Union State

The Union State, a supranational confederation between Belarus and Russia, was established in a series of treaties from 1996 to 1999 that called for monetary union, equal rights, single citizenship, and a common foreign and defence policy. The Union State was founded to promote greater political, economic, and social integration. The countries have only a formal border that is not subject to customs checks or duty thanks to the Union State treaty and the Eurasian Union. Belarus and Russia are also members of various international organisations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the United Nations.

Despite their close relationship, Belarus and Russia are still two different states. Belarus is officially known as the Republic of Belarus, and it has been independent since 1991 when it declared its independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR, or Soviet Union). Belarus has its own flag, currency, and constitution. It has a semi-presidential republic with separation of powers, governed by a president and the National Assembly. Belarus has its own military forces, and it is not part of NATO.

Belarus and Russia have close military relations and are engaged in joint military-scientific activities

Belarus and Russia have a long shared history, and at times have been closely linked. However, they are two separate countries. Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, sharing a border with Russia to the east and northeast.

Despite their close historical ties, Belarus and Russia have had periods of drifting apart, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Belarus has, at times, sought to distance itself from Russia and improve relations with the West. However, in recent years, Belarus has become increasingly isolated from Western countries due to human rights violations and a fraudulent 2020 presidential election. This has pushed Belarus to strengthen its relationship with Russia.

Russia and Belarus have close military relations and are engaged in joint military-scientific activities. They also have several mutual defence agreements and are part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led intergovernmental military alliance. In addition, Russia operates several military bases and radars in Belarus, including the Hantsavichy Radar Station and the Vileyka VLF transmitter.

The two countries have conducted joint military drills and exercises, such as the Zapad-2021 exercises, which showcased a scenario in which Russia defends Belarus from attacks by neighbouring countries. These exercises also included an integrated air and missile defence system and the reassignment of Belarusian soldiers to Russian districts. Russia has also created a special forces unit that includes four Belarusian brigades.

The close military cooperation between Belarus and Russia is part of a broader trend of increasing integration and alignment between the two countries in recent years. This has included plans for deeper economic integration and proposals for a potential union, with Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting that Belarus and Russia "could unite tomorrow, no problem."

Belarus is dependent on Russia for imports of raw materials and for its export market

Belarus is reliant on Russia for its energy imports. Belarus has only small reserves of petroleum and natural gas and imports most of its oil and gas from Russia. In 2022, almost all of the natural gas used in Belarus was imported from Russia. Belarus also imports nearly all of its crude petroleum from Russia.

In addition to energy, Belarus is dependent on Russia for other raw materials. In 2021, the main imports from Russia to Belarus included scrap iron, cars, and hot-rolled iron. Belarus also relies on Russia for the transit of its exports, particularly fertilisers and chemicals, which are subject to an EU embargo. In the first half of 2023, Russia transhipped 6 million tonnes of Belarusian goods in its ports, compared to 1.5 million tonnes in the first half of 2022.

The dependence of Belarus on Russia for its export market has increased due to sanctions and the loss of markets in the EU and Ukraine. In 2020, the EU imposed sanctions on Belarus following a rigged election and political oppression during ongoing protests in the country. Further sanctions were imposed in 2022 due to Belarus's role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the EU's share of Belarusian exports has decreased to around 5%, while Russia now accounts for almost 70% of Belarus's total trade.

The close economic relationship between Belarus and Russia is reflected in the numerous treaties concluded between the two countries. In 1996-99, a series of treaties were signed that called for monetary union, equal rights, single citizenship, and a common foreign and defence policy. In 1998, a treaty was signed covering employment, and access to medical care and education for citizens of both countries.

Belarus and Russia have a shared history, including being part of Kievan Rus' from the 9th to the 13th century

Many early principalities were razed or severely affected by a Mongol invasion in the 13th century. However, the lands of modern-day Belarus avoided the brunt of the invasion and eventually joined the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There are no sources of military seizure, but annals affirm the alliance and united foreign policy of Polotsk and Lithuania for decades.

Incorporation into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania resulted in the unification of Belarusian lands. Of the principalities held by the duchy, nine were settled by a population that would eventually become Belarusians. During this time, the duchy was involved in several military campaigns, including fighting alongside Poland against the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410. The joint victory allowed the duchy to control the northwestern borderlands of Eastern Europe.

The Muscovites, led by Ivan III of Russia, began military campaigns in 1486 to incorporate the former lands of Kievan Rus', including the territories of modern-day Belarus and Ukraine.

In the 18th century, the Belarusian territories left the union between Poland and Lithuania and became part of the Russian Empire. This shift marked the transition from Polonization to Russification, which influenced Belarusian culture and language.

Belarus and Russia share a land border and constitute a supranational Union State. They are close trading partners and diplomatic allies, with Russia being Belarus's largest and most important economic and political partner. Both nations 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.

Belarus and Russia have only a formal border that is not subject to customs checks or duties

The two countries were in Kievan Rus' from the late 9th to the mid-13th century and both derived their names from it. After Kievan Rus' ended due to the Mongol invasion, Belarus and Russia broke up and followed their own paths, evolving into different worlds. In the 18th century, the Belarusian territories left the union between Poland and Lithuania and became part of the Russian Empire. This is when Polonization was replaced by Russification, which later affected Belarusian culture and language.

Belarus and Russia share a land border and constitute the supranational Union State. They have close military relations and are engaged in various joint military-scientific activities. Russia also operates several military bases and radars in Belarus. The two countries have only a formal border that is not subject to customs checks or duties thanks to the Union State treaty and the Eurasian Union.

Russia is Belarus's largest and most important economic and political partner. Belarus depends on Russia for imports of raw materials and for its export market. Belarus is Russia's third-largest foreign client after China and Turkey. The two countries are also allies from a political and economic standpoint, with Putin publicly supporting Lukashenko after he was re-elected in 2020.

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