Russia and Belarus to Reunite?

Exactly seven years after the Soviet Union fell and fifteen new countries were created, the presidents of two of those new countries, Russia and Belarus, came together to sign a document pledging reunification of their two countries.

On Friday, December 25, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a agreement to merge the two nations, pending ratification through a referendum by citizens of both Russia and Belarus. The Belarusian president has been much more receptive to the merger than have the Russians. Many believe that Lukashenko is pushing for the merger because he'd like to run for president of Russia when Yeltsin's term expires in the year 2000.

Belarus and neighbors

Geopolitically, the merger may also be defense-related. In April, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are expected to be granted membership in NATO. Therefore, Belarus would be bordering the NATO country of Poland; by merging with Russia, Belarus would increase its defensive capability.

Both Russia and Belarus have had economic turmoil over the past few years. Despite the outcome of the referendum, the two countries are planning on merging their currencies beginning in March 1999.

In addition, Belarus has also had international political problems. For example, Lukashenko has imprisoned those who oppose his rule and has shut down opposition newspapers. Last summer, the U.S. ambassador to Belarus was recalled because the government there had denied him and his family access to their home.

A merger of the two countries would maintain Russia's place as the world's largest country in area and the new country would remain fifth (as Russia is) in rank based on population (Belarus' population is 10.4 million while Russia's is 147 million).

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