Lukashenko, who was practically enabled by Putin’s support to severely suppress opposition after last year’s disputed presidential election, came to Moscow to clearly strengthen the process of integration between the two countries into a federal state. In the past, the Belarusian authoritarian leader did not want much to join forces quickly with Russia, but widespread protests apparently led him to adjust his position.
–
After the talks, Putin announced that Russia and Belarus “had agreed on all 28 federal programs.” These are programs “aimed at unifying the legislation of Russia and Belarus in different areas of the economy, leveling the conditions for the activities of economic entities of both countries, building common financial and energy markets, transport space, shaping and implementing the common industrial and agricultural policy”.
–
Lukashenko, who still aims to look at Putin as an equal partner, emphasized in this context that the main document they were discussing was the one concerning the equal rights of Russian and Belarusian economic operators.
–
Putin said documents would be signed on the creation of single energy markets for the two countries, including oil, gas and electricity. According to him, the document on the single gas market should be signed by December 1, 2023. The head of the Kremlin added that the price of this energy raw material for Belarus will remain at the same level as this year.
—
