Russia absorbs Belarus: Putin's ambitions go beyond Ukraine - isw

The new report states that the Russian Federation will most likely use elements of the Belarusian defense and industrial base for the repair of military equipment damaged in Ukraine. Moreover, according to the self-proclaimed head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, his country is ready to produce Su-25 assault guns for the Russian Armed Forces.

"The Kremlin can requisite Belarusian plants and convert them to produce critically important equipment that the Russian military is needed," the report said. In addition, according to analysts, Lukashenko personally confirmed that Belarus implemented more programs of integration of the Union State. This indicates that the Kremlin campaign on pressure on Belarus is successful. Thus, the Russian Federation and Belarus implemented 80% of the 28 programs of the Union State.

"Lukashenko has historically resisted the implementation of the integration programs of the Union State, delaying the solution of complex issues of customs and tax harmonization at least since 2019," the report said. The implementation of these programs, according to experts, speaks of the success of Russia in the absorption of Belarus.

According to ISW, Lukashenko probably pays for his rejection of Putin's more serious demand for the accession of Belarusian troops to invade Ukraine, making small concessions that he blocked for years. "Putin is likely to achieve significant success in the restoration of Russia's suzerainty over Belarus, regardless of the result of its invasion of Ukraine," analysts said.

It is a super -state education of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus with the only political, economic, military, customs, currency, legal, humanitarian, market and cultural space. The Treaty to create a "Union State" was signed by the parties of 1999. In 2021, Putin and Lukashenko signed the Decree of the Union State, approving 28 integration programs. Earlier, Focus wrote that Zelensky responded to the threat of Lukashenko to enter the war.

The President of Ukraine responded to the words of Belarus leader that he is ready to fight with the Russians. According to Vladimir Zelensky, it would be a mistake to allow Russia to use Belarus as a bridgehead for the offensive. We will also remind that France, Canada and the United States urged citizens to leave Belarus and the Russian Federation.