Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader
Alexander Lukashenko said they had made progress toward integrating the two countries’ economies during a summit on Thursday evening in advance of massive joint military exercises.
Speaking late on Thursday, Putin said the two leaders had agreed to coordinate the countries’ macroeconomic policies, institute common tax and customs measures, and harmonise other financial controls as part of a 28-point roadmap that is expected to increase Russia’s influence over its neighbour.
The countries will move to integrate their energy markets while maintaining steeply discounted supplies of natural gas to
Belarus, and Russia will provide a further $630m in loans to the cash-strapped Belarusian government, Putin said.