Does Putin arrive to twist arms?

It has been unexpectedly announced that Russian President is to make an official visit to Minsk, which will be the first over a rather long period of time. The visit is to take place 3 days before nominating the candidate of the “United Russia” for the presidential position, and in the run=up to the extraordinary session of the newly elected State Duma. The state secretary of the so-called “union state”, Pavel Borodin informed journalists about the two-day official visit of Vladimir Putin to Belarus on December 13-14.

On December 14 a regular session of the highest state council is to take place in Minsk, Nasha Niva reminds.

As said by Borodin, according to informational agencies, among other things, such issues as signing the constitutional act of the “union state” are to be discussed at the session. This document has been mentioned as a draft for a long time, but the issue was shelved because of the difference of Russian and Belarusian interests.

The visit is scheduled for two days. It is also very strange as well as announcement of the visit at the last moment. Last times, in particular to the CIS summit, Putin spent in Belarus only couple of hours and contacts with Belarusian leadership were limited.

What purposes does Putin have for 13–14 December? Is it only a political PR camping ahead of decision of the next president? There are no doubts that Russians will obediently vote for a candidate of the United Russia. Or is it something more serious – an attempt to extend Putin’s political life via the supra-state superstructure of Belarus–Russia union, via a post of president of this void, but potentially powerful structure? Strengthening of such superstructure would threaten state sovereignty of Belarus in mid-term.

Nobody understood the national campaign of Putin’s glorification, which was conducted in autumn. Such a campaign is usually organized by candidate for a post, but it was an allegedly outgoing president, who doesn’t want to violate the Constitution.

The visit will take place three days before the United Russia will set up its candidate for presidency in Russia (17 December) and ahead of extraordinary early session of the new elected State Duma.

By the way, nobody understood why president Putin demanded the elected on 3 December State Duma to have an urgent session. Meanwhile the Duma can swiftly ratify some agreements, which are due to be signed in Minsk.

The version that Belarus can face pressure and screwing arms by Russia on 13–14 December is worthy of serious consideration.