Lukashenka and Putin signed a Decree on integration intentions

Upon closer examination, the document on the main directions for implementing the provisions of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State over the next two years turned out to be more of a declaration of intent.

Today Putin and Lukashenka also approved a common strategy in migration policy and a new military doctrine.
“If you do not object, I will sign the Decree, but all of us will be responsible, not only me,” Lukashenka said as he signed the Document on the main directions for implementing the provisions of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State.

After a silent pause reflecting on responsibility, he stated:
“Well, our great three-year work has come together and we have formalized it, as we had previously agreed with the President of Russia.”

During the online meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, a new military doctrine was also approved.
“The construction of the Union State provides not only for the mutual interweaving of economies, but also coordination in other areas, including political and defense matters,” Vladimir Putin stated.

A single migration policy was announced for the countries, including in relation to the crisis on the western border.

The head of Russia stressed that he would not allow “interference in the affairs of our sovereign states.”

Lukashenka approved the implementation of 28 Union programs, known as road maps, the contents of which were published two months ago.

It was agreed that over the course of two years the sides should bring together and harmonize legislation in absolutely all spheres of life in Belarus and Russia.
“This will mean that Belarus, in most or in all cases, copies Russian norms in most socio-economic spheres.

Negotiations are also underway on rapprochement in the humanitarian sphere, culture, and education, which also poses a major threat to Belarusian security and sovereignty,” political analyst Andrei Yeliseyeu warns.

At the same time, the threat to the Belarusian political regime and the survival of its economy under sanctions is disappearing.

The head of the Kremlin assured that Belarus and Russia would have a single market for oil, gas, and electricity. The guarantor of the implementation of the integration documents will be measured economic assistance from Russia, delivered only in small portions, political analyst Andrei Yeliseyeu believes. He also recalls that the signed road maps still need to be ratified in Belarus:
“In my opinion, this ratification will be delayed and will not be completed by the end of this year.

It will probably happen only after the referendum, in exchange for the Kremlin’s recognition of the new Constitution of Belarus.

In other words, this is a multi-step deal between Lukashenka and the Kremlin.”

But the political risks are incomparable… It is notable that today Russia celebrates “Unity Day.”

And before signing the integration decree with Belarus, Vladimir Putin visited Crimea, which he had annexed.

For Belarusians who see deepened integration as a threat to our independence, this looked symbolic.

Most of these people also opposed Lukashenka himself and criticized the work he launched on changes to the country’s fundamental law. During today’s constitutional meeting, Lukashenka made it clear:
“We have already warmed up our society and people are already waiting for a new Constitution, although there are, of course, those people who proposed and demanded changes, but today, as I understand it, they no longer need changes or the Constitution.

But we are not making the Constitution for them.”

According to political analyst Andrei Kazakevich, it is being “made” for a group of people genuinely interested in changes to the Constitution of Belarus:
“This is a small part of the state apparatus, a certain part of business connected to the authorities, and other people included in the highest echelons of power.

They understand that they need to think about the future after Lukashenka and about preserving their privileged positions,” Kazakevich told Belsat.

The constitutional referendum is to take place in February of next year.

It is notable that the head of the Central Election Commission, Lidziya Yarmoshyna, who had planned to retire, stated on November 4 that she would not object to summing up the voting results.