Belarus, Russia mark Unity Day on 2 April

On 2 April 1996, the Treaty on the Establishment of the Community of Belarus and Russia was signed, laying the groundwork for creating a politically and economically integrated community to unite the material and intellectual potential of the two states. The document was signed by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian President Boris Yeltsin in Moscow.

A year later, on 2 April 1997, the presidents of Belarus and Russia signed the Treaty on the Union of Belarus and Russia in Moscow. Since then, 2 April has been observed as the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia.

On 23 May 1997, the Charter of the Union of Belarus and Russia was signed, establishing the Supreme Council and the Executive Committee of the Union. In 1997-1998, the Union’s executive bodies and a joint budget were formed, and the first Union programs were developed and implemented. The Border Committee, the Customs Committee, and the Security Committee were also established.

On 8 December 1999, the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State was signed in Moscow, along with an action program for implementing its provisions. The treaty entered into force on 26 January 2000 after ratification by the parliaments of both countries.

The Union State is a unique example of integration and interstate partnership. Under the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State, the Supreme State Council, the Council of Ministers, and the Permanent Committee have been formed and are functioning. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia performs the functions of the Union State’s parliament. The Supreme State Council is the highest governing body, comprising the heads of state, heads of government, and leaders of the parliamentary chambers of both countries. It addresses key issues of Union State development, forms governing bodies, approves the budget and international treaties, and performs other functions.

The main goal of creating the Union State was to improve the standard of living of the peoples, strengthen brotherhood, friendship, and cooperation between Belarus and Russia in political, economic, social, and other areas. One of the most important and successful areas of Union State activity is the coordinated foreign policy of Belarus and Russia. The Republic of Belarus is the most consistent and reliable foreign policy ally of the Russian Federation, while Russia consistently supports and defends Belarus’ independent domestic and foreign policy positions at all levels and in all international organizations.

A fundamental aspect of cooperation between the two countries is ensuring social equality. The legal basis for this is the Treaty on Equal Rights of Citizens of Belarus and Russia of 25 December 1998.

One of the key areas of coordinated social policy is the creation of a common labor market within the Union State. Citizens of Russia and Belarus have equal rights in terms of wages, working hours and rest periods, labor protection, and working conditions. Mutual recognition of work experience, including experience in a specific profession, is ensured. As part of the creation of a unified migration space, the permit-based employment system has been abolished.

On 29 March 2007, the Treaty on Cooperation in Social Security between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation entered into force. It regulates relations connected to pension provision and labor pensions for old age, disability, and loss of breadwinner; social pensions; payment of social insurance contributions; provision of temporary disability and maternity benefits; unemployment benefits; funeral allowances; family benefits; and compensation for occupational injuries or diseases in cases where citizens of Belarus or Russia relocate within the Union State.

The Union State has developed a regulatory framework ensuring equal rights for citizens to receive education in both countries. An intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition and equivalence of education documents, academic degrees, and titles is in force between Belarus and Russia.

On 6 March 2008, the Agreement on the Provision of Medical Care to Belarusian Citizens in Russian Healthcare Institutions and to Russian Citizens in Belarusian Healthcare Institutions between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation entered into force. The agreement guarantees equal rights to medical care, including free treatment in state healthcare institutions, for citizens of both states permanently residing on the territories of the parties, as well as for Heroes of the Soviet Union and holders of all three classes of the Order of Glory.

The Union State of Belarus and Russia implements numerous joint programs and research initiatives in industry, construction, science, space exploration, energy, information technology, education, and culture.

The Union State’s cultural policy is aimed at preserving shared historical values, fostering creative activity and cultural cooperation between the peoples of Belarus and Russia. Traditional joint festivals, meetings of artists, cultural exchanges, tours of creative ensembles, film production, exhibitions, protection and restoration of historical and cultural monuments have become common practice within the Union State. Authors of works that make a significant contribution to strengthening brotherhood, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries are awarded the Union State Prize in Literature and Art.

High technology, science and engineering are among the top priorities of Belarusian-Russian cooperation. Belarusian and Russian scientists receive the Union State Prize in Science and Technology for outstanding research results and discoveries, as well as for joint development of new equipment and advanced technologies that ensure innovative economic growth, social development and defense capabilities of both nations.

On 6 December 2024, the Union State Supreme State Council established the Union State Prizes for Young Scientists. They are awarded to Belarusian and Russian researchers for results in natural, technical and humanities sciences, including those achieved while developing new equipment, improving technologies, strengthening the defense capabilities of Belarus and Russia, ensuring innovative economic development and implementing priority areas of the Union State Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development through 2035.

In 2025, the two parties ratified amendments to the Belarusian-Russian agreement on equal voting rights for citizens. Based on these amendments, Belarusians and Russians become full participants in the electoral process within the Union State. They can take part in local elections in both countries both as voters and as candidates for deputy mandates.

On 13 March 2025, the Union State Treaty on Security Guarantees entered into force. Presidents of Belarus and Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, signed a protocol on the exchange of instruments of ratification of the relevant treaty following official talks in Moscow. The treaty establishes mutual guarantees on taking necessary measures in case of encroachments on the security of Belarus, Russia, and the Union State as a whole.

On 2 February 2026, the Union State Council of Ministers adopted resolution “On granting the status of ‘Union State Product’ to goods produced by Belarusian and Russian manufacturers”. A product will be considered a Union State Product if at least 50% of its cost comes from Belarusian or Russian components.

In March 2026, the Russian parliament completed ratification of the Belarusian-Russian agreement on the mutual enforcement of court judgments issued in Belarus or Russia. The agreement will apply to court judgments in civil and criminal cases in the part concerning civil claims that provide for the debtor’s obligations to pay funds to the claimant, including the recovery of state fees, other court costs and legal expenses. The Belarusian side completed ratification procedures for this agreement in mid-2025.

On 1 April, the Soyuzny TV channel began broadcasting on the territory of both countries. Every day in the afternoon and evening, it will air news programs, podcasts (classic long interviews), and in the evenings – feature films and TV series. The Belarusfilm studio has provided a large selection of its films from the golden collection for broadcasting on the channel.

Celebrations of the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia will take place in Minsk and Moscow. In Minsk, a gala concert titled as The Power of the Land – The Bond of Peoples will be held at the Palace of the Republic on 2 April, featuring performers and creative ensembles beloved in both Belarus and Russia.

On the same day in Moscow, the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia will host a concert titled as Two Souls – One Destiny. Participants include the Igor Moiseyev State Academic Dance Ensemble, the Mitrofan Pyatnitsky State Academic Russian Folk Choir, the Lyudmila Zykina Folk Instruments Orchestra, People’s Artist of Belarus Anatoly Yarmolenko, the Belarusian folk group Kupalinka, Honored Artist of Russia Marina Devyatova, and other artists and ensembles.

At the Victory Museum in Moscow on 2 April, a Museum Dialogue video conference will be held with the participation of specialists from the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War History. Renowned historians from the two countries will discuss the contribution of museum institutions to shaping a shared Belarusian-Russian historical and cultural space.