Putin and Lukashenko get along like gangbusters and Russians and "Bylorussians" or Belarusians are extremely intertwined both culturally and politcally.  Most Belarusians don't even speak Belarus anymore or do so asa second language.

They're already going to merge their currencies.  What Putin is talking about is either introducing Belarus into the Russian Federation or else a "Serbia and Montenegro" type thing.

There are even rumors (just rumors!) that Putin might ask Lukashenko to step into the (joint) presidency in 2008.  Not likely but that's what the Russian media is whispering about.

Pax

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