Russian, Belarusian leaders on countries' integration

The presidents of Russia and Belarus said on Thursday they have made significant progress on integrating their countries’ economies, including forming common energy and financial markets.

The moves would bolster Belarus as it faces Western sanctions imposed in response to political repression after a disputed presidential election, and the forced diversion of an airliner carrying a prominent opposition journalist.

The integration measures would also give Russia a strengthened position in a country that acts as a buffer with NATO members.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko met on Thursday for nearly four hours and announced that 28 programs strengthening integration had been approved.

The programs fall under a 1999 union agreement that calls for close political, economic and military ties but stops short of a full merger.

Russia has buttressed Belarus’ economy with cheap energy supplies and loans.

But ties often have been strained, with Lukashenko scolding Moscow for trying to force him to relinquish control of prized economic assets and eventually abandon his country’s independence.

The programs include establishing a single gas market by the end of 2023.

The talks came as Russia and Belarus began military exercises that are to involve some 200,000 servicemen, including 2,500 Russians sent to Belarus.

Officials say the exercises do not envisage specific countries as adversaries.