The Kremlin may return to the plan of Belarus joining Russia after the war in Ukraine is over, sources close to the presidential administration told Meduza.
According to them, this could be presented as a “deeper integration” of the two states, in which common authorities would be created. “They could even be elected, campaign, show new records. The unification of the lands that disintegrated in the 1980s and 1990s, the union of republics. This is an event,” explained one of the interlocutors. However, he stipulated that the realization of this scenario “depends entirely on Aleksandr Lukashenko, and he obviously wants to remain a full-fledged ruler.
Even before the full-scale war in Ukraine, the Kremlin had prepared a plan of “creeping annexation” of Belarus by 2030. The plan included “harmonization” of Russian and Belarusian laws, “coordinated foreign and defense policy,” and “trade and economic cooperation” based on Russia’s interests.
After the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Lukashenko said that Moscow and Minsk would form “the unity of two independent states” and would “overcome sanctions” together. At the same time, he noted that he and Putin “are not so stupid to act by the old methods” and incorporate Belarus into Russia.
