Putin, in a message to his counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, stressed, “The Russia-Belarus State Union has become the driving force behind integration processes in the Eurasian space and, to a large extent, serves as a benchmark for cooperation within multinational structures such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).”

The Russian head of State also noted that this benchmark is valid for the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The president also wished his Belarusian colleague “health and success, and the brotherly people of Belarus, well-being and prosperity.”

April 2 marks the 30th anniversary of the Treaty “On the Formation of the Community of Russia and Belarus,” which later gave rise to the Union State.

April 2 is celebrated as the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Russia and Belarus.

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