Belarus and Russia to sign series of rapprochement agreements

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during one of their meetings in Moscow on April 22, 2021. This Thursday, the meeting will be by videoconference.

AP - Mikhail Klimentyev

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Since the contestation of the elections and the terrible repression which still continues in Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has only met one leader: his Russian counterpart.

A face to face, which for him has taken on the appearance of a trap because with the signing of agreements this Thursday, the integration between the two countries will be strengthened, to the benefit of Moscow.

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With our correspondent in Moscow, 

Anissa El Jabri

November 4, the date chosen for this signature, is like a symbol of Moscow's position of strength vis-à-vis Minsk: in Russia it is the feast of national unity.

A holiday created 16 years ago to commemorate a time when central power crushed local rebellions.

The signing of these agreements will not mark a vassalization that Alexander Lukashenko has always fought.

Far from it: there will be no common currency or Parliament under the aegis of Russia.

This Thursday, it is the signing of 28 "technical" agreements on the approximation of tax and customs laws of the two countries.

A Russian air base in Belarus

In the military field, on the other hand, it is perhaps worth noting an important concession, notably with a project for a Russian air base on the territory of Belarus.

The main thing for Vladimir Putin is to strengthen his weight in the region and to stand up against the West.

On the official menu of the meeting we find “

 migration policy

 ”.

Less than a week ago, Minsk airport made public its winter flight schedule: 55 connections per week between the Middle East and the Belarusian capital.

► See also: Russia-Belarus Union: integration in small steps

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  • Belarus

  • Alexander Lukashenko

  • Russia

  • Vladimir Poutine