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Vladimir Putin vows to back Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko as they sign union state decree

  • The agreements focus mainly on areas like taxation, agriculture and energy, with no mention of trickier issues like a single parliament or currency
  • Strongman Lukashenko has become increasingly isolated following his brutal crackdown on opposition at home

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus via a video link in Sevastopol, Crimea on Thursday. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters
Agence France-Presse
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday vowed to back Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko against foreign “interference”, as the two signed a series of agreements on closer integration.
Speaking during a televised video meeting with Lukashenko, Putin hailed the bilateral ties between Russia and Belarus and promised Moscow’s continued backing for the increasingly isolated Lukashenko.

“We will together resist any attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of our sovereign states and Russia will of course continue to provide assistance to the brotherly Belarusian people – there is no doubt about that,” Putin said from the Crimean city of Sevastopol where he was marking a national holiday.

Putin and Lukashenko agreed in September to a series of 28 programmes aimed at deepening integration under a decades-old plan for a “union state” between Russia and Belarus.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visits a hospital in the western city of Lida in October. Photo: AP
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visits a hospital in the western city of Lida in October. Photo: AP

The agreements were signed on Thursday focus mainly on economic and regulatory issues, including common policies on taxation, banking, industry, agriculture and energy. There was no mention of trickier issues surrounding political integration, like long-standing plans for a single parliament or currency.

Putin has become Lukashenko’s primary political backer as the long-time Belarusian leader faces international pressure following a brutal crackdown on the opposition.

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