Łukašenka, Putin play up their alliance, Cichanoŭskaja says Belarusians do not need it

April 2, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka and Russian President Vladimir Putin have issued upbeat statements today as Minsk and Moscow to mark the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia.
The common educational, informational, cultural space allows every citizen of Belarus and Russia to feel a part “our common Fatherland,” Alaksandar Łukašenka said on the 28th anniversary of a treaty that initiated the integration process.
Minsk and Moscow are “building their future together,” relying on “mutual trust and support,” the Belarusian ruler’s press office said in an official message.
Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja criticized her country’s strong ties with Russia, noting that her country does not need unions, which cause deaths and the erosion of national identity.
“The Łukašenka regime has isolated Belarus from the world – clinging to Moscow as its last lifeline. Every step toward Putin is a step toward erasing our sovereignty,” she stressed on X.
The Union State treaty between Belarus and Russia entered into force in January 2000 after ratification by the parliaments of the two countries. The deal is of unlimited duration.
In 2018, Russia launched an upgrade of the Union State to bind the two countries together.
In November 2021, Minsk and Moscow signed 28 Union State programs focusing on macroeconomic, industrial and agricultural policies, tax and customs harmonization and a common energy market.
Last year, Łukašenka and Putin approved a security deal that consolidated Belarus as Russia’s protectorate. Moscow is committed to defend the Union State with “all available forces and means,” including Russian tactical nuclear weapons ostensibly stationed in Belarus.
More on the subject:

Belarus-Russia Unity Day: a celebration of dependence, not national pride
- Politics, SecurityBelarus organizes drone troopsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityEstonia withdraws from anti-personnel mines treatyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsTwenty people added to “extremist list”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian asylee detained, may be deported from USThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityPro-Łukašenka Ukrainian MP may face life sentence if convicted of treasonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- EconomyBelarus’ money supply up 36.1 percent since January – central bankThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityAerial bombs, missiles to be delivered to Belarus from Russia – CRWThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyWorld Bank improves forecast for Belarus’ GDP in 2025The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy
- PoliticsŁukašenka pledges to “do anything” for ChinaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk concerned over Israel’s strikes on IranThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIrregular Belarus-EU border crossings keep rising in early JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, Security
- SocietyPolish police arrest Belarusian on Interpol red noticeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: five new guilty verdicts against regime criticsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Economy, PoliticsLatvia may ban real estate deals by Belarusian and Russian companiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+