Mark Urnov, president of the Ekspertiza foundation:
"The project of a united Russian and Belarussian state loosens soil for a new state system extending the terms of office of incumbent leaders. This is a 2008-oriented project [in 2008, Russian President Vladimir Putin's term limit will expire]. To implement it, however, an agreement between Vladimir Putin and [Belarussian President] Alexander Lukashenko is needed since the latter will hardly keep a high profile in a union state. Lukashenko faces certain problems in domestic, as well as foreign policy, since Putin cannot determine a successor. This could drive the presidents towards a deal.
"Moreover, most Russians will surely approve a merger with Belarus. The people just aren't thinking about how it will affect Russia financially."
Pavel Borodin, state secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus:
"A recent series of meetings between the Russian and Belarussian presidents has demonstrated not only our approval of, but also our overwhelming support for, interstate integration into a united country. Issues like a united currency, union property and united customs services are likely to be resolved before the year is out."
Sergei Markov, Director of the Institute for Political Studies:
"Relations between Russia and Belarus have been much stimulated lately by processes outside both of these states. Now there is a threat of an anti-Russian regime coming to power in Belarus to involve the country into an anti-Russian coalition and block Russia.
"This gave a new impetus to the integration of the two countries, clearly seen in a raised union budget and recent work on a united currency. If Lukashenko's dealings with Putin result in securing a place for the Belarussian elite in a new state, Russia and Belarus will definitely become a unified state. The decision may have been made already."
