BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

13/12/2007

Kremlin denies Belarus merger plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met the Belarussian leader, starting a visit that was closely watched for signs the two ex-Soviet neighbours were advancing towards a long-discussed merger.

The creation of a single state could allow Mr Putin to become the leader of a combined Russia and Belarus after he steps down from the presidency next May.

The Kremlin moved to quash talk of such a possibility, denying that Putin's talks with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and other officials in the Belarussian capital Minsk would touch upon a draft constitution that would describe the structure of a unified country's government.

Source:

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/kremlin+denies+belarus+merger+plan/1182947

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