Aleksandr Lukashenko: Belarus and Russia have become stronger

The meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State took place on December 6th in Minsk, chaired by the President of Belarus, Chairman of the Supreme State Council Aleksandr Lukashenko. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, arrived in Minsk to participate in the event. It is symbolic that the meeting was held on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State. 

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“Today we can state with confidence that in 1999, our intentions turned out to be correct: it is within the union of our two states that we have been able to fully realise the accumulated experience and potential on the principles of mutual trust and partnership,” emphasised the Belarusian leader. 

“A unique global experience has been created: two countries — two economies — one economic space. This experience has stood the test of time and proven its viability. Despite unprecedented sanctions pressure, the basic sectors of the economy have been preserved, the financial system has not been disrupted, unemployment is at the lowest level, and the incomes and savings of citizens are growing. We have not just endured; we have become stronger.”  

According to the President of Belarus, the established bilateral relations demonstrate ‘the powerful force of mutual attraction, which is based on the common language and scientific and technical school, similar mentalities and cultural traditions, and a shared history’.  
The Head of State provided some figures that speak for themselves. Compared to 1999, when the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State was signed, the GDP volume in both countries has increased significantly — by approximately 2.5 times. The Belarusian-Russian trade turnover is also steadily growing. Last year, it reached nearly $55bn, and in 2024, the countries expect to reach around $60bn, provided the current growth rates are maintained.  
The President outlined several strategic directions for the further development of the integration association. “First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the ballast of problems that we have been grappling with for several years. Such problems do exist. I believe that the number one task is the implementation of a unified economic policy and ensuring equal rights for citizens in our union space. We have not yet reached the level of self-sufficiency and independence for our association that would allow us to carry out long-term planning of our development and protect us from external market conditions and various challenges,” the Belarusian leader pointed out.

On unified economic policy  

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the tools for addressing this task are clear and include a co-ordinated industrial policy, common approaches to ensuring food security, a unified energy market, systematic achievement of technological sovereignty, and rational import substitution. It is also important to remove the remaining obstacles in bilateral trade. “We have already started implementing joint projects in areas such as microelectronics, machine tool construction, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding. However, we are not progressing as quickly as we would like. To date, only 27 import substitution projects are being implemented. For the combined market of Belarus and Russia, which is estimated at $2tn in total GDP, I believe this figure should be hundreds of times higher,” Aleksandr Lukashenko underscored. The Head of State is convinced that both Belarus and Russia will benefit from such projects. Thanks to our co-operation, new jobs are being created and new innovative products are emerging in both countries. 
Another significant step in the Union State building has been the formation of a unified electricity market. “In order to ensure a fair and equitable economic environment, we are counting on the swift launch of unified markets for gas, oil, and petroleum products. We are actively working in these areas,” said the President.  

BKM Olgerd trolleybuses on the streets of Saint Petersburg

On ensuring equal rights for citizens  

Whatever goals Belarus and Russia pursue in building the Union State, its primary target audience is their citizens, as stressed by Aleksandr Lukashenko. “Those who believe in us, trust us, and count on an attentive response to their needs and requirements. Therefore, a key issue is ensuring equal rights for the citizens of Belarus and Russia,” noted the Head of State. “Over the past quarter of a century, much has been resolved regarding migration, social and labour relations, and healthcare.”  
Thus, there are no restrictions on movement across the territories of both states. Equal rights are guaranteed in the areas of employment, recognition of work experience, and labour protection. Issues related to pension provision and social insurance have been settled. All citizens are provided with urgent and emergency medical assistance. In 2023 alone, around 60,000 Russian citizens received medical care in Belarus. Support is provided to families with children and certain categories of the population. “We are very pleased that during any holidays and in general, Belarus is the most attractive country for tourist trips from such a vast country as Russia,” remarked the President. “Yet, there is still a lot to be done. Every person should truly, without restrictions, experience all the advantages of the Union State.” 

BELAZ is replacing Western engines with Russian ones             Roman Shcherbenkov

On transport and logistics  

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarusian export goods have begun being shipped through Russian ports, which has brought mutual benefit. On the one hand, this has solved Belarus’ export logistics challenges; on the other hand, it has provided a significant boost to the profits of Russian companies. “However, there are still many reserves that are not used to the full. Next in line is the implementation of the project related to the Northern Sea Route. We have already tested transporting goods via this route — it works well,” the President stated.  
Russian partners are working on a pilot project to create a high-speed railway line between Moscow and St. Petersburg. “We are counting on its extension along the Moscow-Minsk route. Vladimir Vladimirovich, your statement that there will be a line from Moscow through Minsk to Brest has inspired Belarusians, as many people travel from Minsk to Moscow, and recently we even had to add two more trains,” the Head of State recounted.  

On military and political security  

Life itself forces us to pay special attention to the defence capabilities of our countries — the Belarusian leader is convinced. By signing the Security Concept of the Union State and the interstate treaty on security guarantees, Belarus and Russia have reached an unprecedented level of strategic partnership and co-ordination of actions in the military sphere. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this will safeguard Belarus’ and Russia’s territorial integrity, preserve our sovereignty and independence, and most importantly, guarantee peaceful living for the citizens of both countries. “Our intention to sign this treaty has got our so-called ‘partners’ in the West a little too excited. This is probably not bad: they have noticed it,” the President added. 

    















A commemorative medal was established for the 25th anniversary of the Union State

On planning and redistribution of labour resources  

The Head of State noted that the Russian labour market attracts a significant number of Belarusians each year, which means that Belarus experiences labour shortages. “We face the same problem as Russia. We need a co-ordinated policy in this area and effective legal mechanisms that take into account the interests of both sides,” emphasised the Belarusian leader.  
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that special, sacred themes are always present on the agenda of the Union State. In May 2025, Belarusians and Russians will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, along with other peoples of the former USSR who share these values. “This is a monumental memorial date for our peoples, connected by our shared history, spiritual and cultural values. Just like our ancestors 80 years ago, we will remember the victims of that terrible war together at the Red Square on May 9th and celebrate the important anniversary of the Soviet people’s historical victory over fascism,” stated the President.    
Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that the agenda for the current meeting was stacked, as always. It included specific issues that concern the residents of both countries, aimed at improving the economies and strengthening the security of Belarus and Russia. 

Real benefits of integration  

In his speech, Vladimir Putin underlined that integration genuinely brings tangible benefits to the citizens of Belarus and Russia. “This convincingly demonstrates the correctness of the strategic course we have chosen towards comprehensive co-operation and the formation of a unified economic, humanitarian, and defence space between Russia and the Republic of Belarus,” stated the Russian leader.  
He noted that over the quarter of a century since the signing of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State, Russia and Belarus have jointly accomplished truly large-scale work. “This primarily refers to the deepening of the integration in the socio-economic and humanitarian spheres, the unification of the legislation of the two countries, as well as the measures taken to ensure reliable collective defence and security,” listed the President of Russia. “Most importantly, the allied Russian-Belarusian relations, our strategic partnership are built on unshakeable principles of friendship and good neighbourliness, mutual respect, and consideration of each other’s interests. Our countries and peoples are united by the shared history, family and kinship ties that have developed between many Russians and Belarusians, and adherence to the same moral and spiritual values.”  
The Russian leader noted that within the framework of the Union State, trade and investment exchanges are actively developing, multifaceted business contacts and co-operative ties are expanding, and conditions are being created for sustainable economic growth in both countries. Collaboration in the humanitarian sphere is also actively progressing. Belarus and Russia share views on the situation in the region and the world, consistently supporting each other in international affairs.

Union decisions  

Following the meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State in Minsk, Belarus and Russia made significant decisions across various sectors.  
Two crucial documents in the field of security were reviewed. Belarus and Russia signed an interstate treaty on security guarantees within the framework of the Union State. The document was signed by the leaders of both countries — Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin.  
The Security Concept of the Union State was also approved. In addition, the leaders of the two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement that provides for the phased establishment of a unified electricity market for the Union State starting next year. Decisions were made regarding unified consumer protection rules within the Union State, measures to combat the illegal import of goods into the Union State, and the establishment of reasonable tariffs for communication and data transmission services within the Union State, which are set to come into effect on March 1st, 2025. In preparation for the significant anniversary in 2025 — marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War — a plan of events was approved to take place in Belarus and Russia. Following the Supreme State Council meeting, amendments were made to the regulations of the Standing Committee of the Union State, and necessary decisions were taken to prepare for the upcoming meetings of the Supreme State Council.

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Security question

After signing the documents, a ceremony was held for the postage stamp block cancellation to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State (December 8th, 1999). Presidents Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin participated in the solemn event. Senior officials from both countries were present at the ceremony.   Following the document signing procedure, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he would like to raise another issue ‘in light of the established good, fraternal relations’. According to the Belarusian leader, this topic was not discussed during the Supreme State Council meeting, but the President touched upon it during a recent CSTO summit in Astana. “This is a very serious issue, and it is better to address it openly rather than give rise to various conspiracy theories or problems later on,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.   
The Head of State stated that Belarus is very concerned about the situation in Western Europe, particularly near its borders with Poland and Lithuania. “We assess this as an even greater danger than that from the side of belligerent Ukraine,” the Belarusian leader emphasised. 
The President pointed out that Polish and Lithuanian troops are stationed in close proximity to the Belarusian border, and NATO armed forces from other countries, including Germany, are being deployed there. “In other words, the situation is very tense. Poland spends enormous resources on weaponry. If they want to live in peace with us, as they claim, then why are they spending billions of dollars on armaments?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked a rhetorical question. “In short, we consider this very alarming. This is already a threat to our joint grouping [of the Union State of Belarus and Russia].”  
In this context, the President addressed Vladimir Putin, “I would like to publicly ask you to deploy new weapon systems — primarily, the Oreshnik — on the territory of Belarus. This would seriously cool down certain minds that are ready to fight against Belarus.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, such deployment is also feasible within the framework of the recently adopted Security Concept and the treaty on security guarantees in the Union State.  

“We have certain locations where we can deploy this weapon, with one condition: the targets for this weapon will be determined by the military-political leadership of Belarus. In the meantime, you will train us to use this weapon, if a positive decision is made [regarding its deployment in Belarus], so that specialists from the Russian Federation service and launch Oreshnik warheads at specific targets. You know how to do this; you have demonstrated it recently,” observed Aleksandr Lukashenko.  

The Head of State underscored that this would significantly strengthen the defence of the Union State and, above all, the Belarusian territory. “We are being criticised for deploying nuclear weapons. This [Oreshnik] is not a nuclear weapon, but it is very effective,” noted the Belarusian leader. “I ask you once again to consider this. It would be substantial support not only for my request but also for the Belarusian people.”   
Vladimir Putin, for his part, reminded that following the meeting, a treaty on security guarantees was signed. This document outlines mutual allied obligations to ensure Belarus’ and Russia’s defence using all available forces and means. “That is why we agreed to meet the requests of the Republic of Belarus regarding the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons,” stated the President of Russia.  
According to the Russian leader, such advanced missile systems like the Oreshnik have no parallel in the world. “There are two reasons for this. Firstly, unlike weapons of mass destruction, this system is a precision weapon. It does not strike at large areas; it achieves results not through its power, but through its precision. Secondly, in the case of a combined missile assault — using one, two, or three systems — its striking power is comparable to that of a nuclear weapon, but it does not contaminate the area and has no radiological consequences, since the warheads of these missiles have no nuclear component,” explained Vladimir Putin.  
The President of Russia added,  

“I think that the deployment of such systems as the Oreshnik on the territory of the Republic of Belarus is possible in the second half of next year, as the serial production of such complexes in Russia increases and as these missile systems enter service with the Russian Strategic Missile Forces (RSMF). As soon as these systems are integrated into the RSMF, we will simultaneously begin their deployment on the territory of Belarus. 

Of course, there are a number of technical issues that must be resolved by specialists, specifically determining the minimum range, taking into account the priorities for ensuring Belarus’ security. Specialists need to look into the matter, but I believe such possibilities exist, given that this will require minimal costs. Belarus has retained certain infrastructural capabilities from the times of the Soviet Union. Therefore, the deployment of such systems in Belarus will be associated with minimal expenses for infrastructure preparation. Obviously, despite the fact that they will be part of the RSMF, it will be up to the military and political leadership of Belarus to determine the targets on the territory of a probable enemy. This is obvious, I believe,” stated the Russian President. According to him, these questions will be discussed in a working format. “I can only say straight away (specialists understand this well): the shorter the range, the more powerful the warhead,” added Vladimir Putin.  
Aleksandr Lukashenko admitted that he was very satisfied with such a response. “I took advantage of our friendship in the sense that if you want to get something from Putin, make sure he promises something publicly,” summarised the Belarusian leader.  
After the meeting of the Supreme State Council, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin continued their communication in an informal setting at home. 

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Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by