Union State

The Union State is a supranational union consisting of Belarus and Russia, with the stated aim of deepening the relationship between the two states through integration in economic and defence policy. The Union State initially aimed to create a federation; however, both countries remain independent, and the Union State instead exhibits features of a confederation. The Union State is based on the Treaty on the Union of Belarus and Russia, an international treaty signed by Belarus and Russia on 2 April 1997. Although it consists of only Russia and Belarus, other countries are allowed to join. The supranational union is ruled through the Supreme State Council, as well as other governing bodies. The current chairman of the Supreme State Council is the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who has held the position since 2000. The present goal of the Union State mainly focuses on economic integration, taxation, and integration of defence and intelligence apparatus.