Before the meeting of the leaders of Russia and Belarus on September 9, it was announced that it was not tied to the political "calendar" and conjuncture.
But if not the current political, then the historical "calendar" of the context is striking.
It is necessary for a general understanding of the essence of the process.
Of course, first of all, I remember the events of last year that followed the presidential elections in Belarus, which took place on August 9 (this rhyme of dates is important). Events designed to create cardinal shocks in the country and tear it away from Russia, create a rift between the allied countries, spread the pernicious virus of the Ukrainian "Maidan". That is, to continue the inertia of rejection and intensification of hostility on the territory of the post-Soviet space. That fire was not allowed to flare up, and it was extinguished, but it showed serious dangers and the main vector of events opposing unity: chaos and destabilization in Belarus, and then in Russia. Therefore, this inertia of separation, which has been going on for almost thirty years, must be opposed with a real, effective alternative. Its architecture is being built now.
Again, last year's events in Belarus led to an obscene increase in numerous attacks on the state from the "civilized" world, to sanctions designed to destroy the economy and, again, lead to destabilization.
This imposed political virus should also be overcome together.
The “calendar” trail is also present in the fact that thirty years ago in Belovezhskaya Pushcha a break in a large country was recorded, and it is through Belarus that it can go ... No, not the reanimation of the Soviet Union, but the restoration of integrity, which is more primary and more important than any political superstructures.
This is what Alexander Lukashenko said at the beginning of the meeting: “Only together, only in a union.
Native states, close peoples.
Practically a single people - both Russians and Belarusians from the same root ”.
The main thing is a single-root base, without which there is nowhere. Thirty years ago, they not only destroyed that very political superstructure, but also began to methodically hammer and destroy the deep foundation that had been strengthening for centuries. The fact that the feeling of kinship can be reformatted into alienation and alienation has also, unfortunately, been demonstrated by recent history: this is how Ukraine was split off - through the denial of the reality of a single people.
In the matter of unity, there should be no haste and orientation towards external effects. It is important, again, to balance integration and sovereignty so that unity does not erase the uniqueness of each nation. This is how the domestic civilization has been gathering for centuries. It is necessary to reach a new quality of unity: not declarative, but real, the very kinship that the peoples feel. Do everything so as not to drive in wedges, which can manifest themselves in a destructive way in the future.
The presented integration formula is combined with sovereignty, does not deny it, and rightly so.
After all, otherwise it would be necessary to ascertain the takeover.
Numerous "well-wishers" would interpret this as a surrender of the sovereignty of Belarus, which would give the process itself a negative context and lay a potential for conflict for the future.
The two countries demonstrate a different approach - joint creative unity, active evolutionary one.
There is also a hint of a return to the confederal formulas, which were developed at one time, but were not implemented due to the collapse of the USSR.
At a joint press conference, the leaders of the two united countries said that the main thing is the foundation of the community, and everything else is political tuning.
That is why, according to Vladimir Putin, during the negotiations "the emphasis was placed on the trade and investment component."
This foundation was discussed - about 28 programs aimed at “unifying the legislation of Russia and Belarus in various areas of the economy, at leveling the operating conditions of economic entities of the two countries, building common financial and energy markets, transport space, forming and implementing a common industrial and agricultural politicians".
It is also important that in these programs of unity we are talking not only about the economy and the business aspect, but also about the human dimension. According to the Russian president, "uniform approaches are being developed to legislation in the field of labor relations, labor protection, employment of the population, social insurance and pensions, and support for families with children." It is also said that "Russians and Belarusians will be guaranteed equal rights and opportunities in the economic and social spheres and, most importantly, all the necessary conditions will be created for a real increase in the standard of living and well-being of citizens." The announced complex of programs is designated as a step towards the creation of a single economic space. These are no longer some abstract schemes, but specifics.
It has also been said about a single defense space, which has become an urgent necessity after last year's events in Belarus.
Everyone understands perfectly well that if it were not for Russia, it would have been occupied, and Minsk would have been made Belgrade in 1999.
By the way, this is also the most important rhyme for understanding the integration logic.
Integration is a living process, it does not happen by clicking, therefore evolutionary development is chosen.
Again, in opposition to the destructive stroke of the pen of the Bialowieza Accords, which confirmed the verdict on the Soviet Union.
In the integration action, it is necessary to take into account the mistakes of both the USSR and the EU in order to initially eliminate all possible tendencies towards disintegration.
For Belarus, this is not a loss of sovereignty, and for Russia it is not some kind of encumbrance.
It's about equality.
An algorithm of actions for unity is being built, which can be further expanded and become attractive to other states. All this is the answer to the question why more than 20 years have passed since the Union Treaty of 1999, and a single state has not been created. The Belarusian leader commented on this: “We are moving ahead like a bulldozer, clearing the way for future, we hope, associations and allied associations in the post-Soviet space. The Union is an example, this is the path that those states will have to follow, which will count on a closer union. "
The meeting in Moscow showed the main thing - that the integration of Russia and Belarus is not a “political project”, but (again, according to Lukashenka) “a unique integration association”.
It creates a promising formula for unity, which can show an example of gathering a new community on the territory of the post-Soviet space (and not only).
It will not be the Soviet Union, not the EU.
That is why the formula of unity is being perfected so painstakingly and without fuss.
In the long term - by the end of the year - Vladimir Putin's trip to Minsk has been announced.
A new rhyme will emerge, designed to turn the page of the Belavezha discord.
Ahead is the time of sovereign unity and gathering.
Time forward!
The point of view of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.