There has been some talk about this for awhile now, though it usually amounts to nothing. Lukashenko is basically looking for a way to preserve his power and status through oppression. With so much pressure from the west, he must be counting down the days until the end of his reign. Because of that, he has to look eastward; specifically, Russia (though greater ties with countries such as Zimbabwe are revealing as well). This has largely resulted in military cooperation and aid, though talks over a joint currency and even possible union are being talked about, albeit haltingly without much progress. This would be Lukashenko’s last resort, as it would subjugate him to Russia completely, but it’s still on the table.

Here’s the latest. Read this transcript:

Excerpt from report by Russian external TV service NTV Mir on 22 June

ÄPresenterÅ New unions were being built in Moscow today, and existing ones were being shored up: leaders of the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Community ÄEAECÅ met in the Grand Kremlin Palace. The EAEC includes Russia, Belorussia ÄBelarusÅ, Kazakhstan, Kirgizia ÄKyrgyzstanÅ, Tajikistan and also Armenia – as an observer. No major political decisions are expected from this meeting. Experts say it is a response of sorts to alternative meetings of ÄotherÅ former Soviet republics within the framework of GUAM ÄGeorgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and MoldovaÅ. Vladimir Kondratyev reports.

ÄCorrespondentÅ ÄPassage omitted: EAEC, and not CIS or Single Economic Space, appears to be the most viable integration platform in the region. Known details about the meeting.Å Belarusian President ÄAlyaksandrÅ Lukashenka will be at the helm of the EAEC for the next year: ÄKazakh President NursultanÅ Nazarbayev has passed on this heavy burden. Lukashenka, however, is facing a more important task: to make sure he achieves union with Russia on his own terms.

ÄPavel Borodin, state secretary of the Union of Russia and BelarusÅ We are a bit short of political will.

ÄCorrespondentÅ What should it consist of?

ÄBorodinÅ It should be like it was before; convene the Politburo and say: we are holding a referendum in November; in January-February, elections to the parliamentary assembly of the Union State; and in the autumn of next year, elect president and vice-president.

ÄCorrespondentÅ Who will be president then?

ÄBorodinÅ Well, you know-

ÄCorrespondentÅ I mean, what does the constitution say?

ÄBorodinÅ Don’t prompt me with the answer! Of course it will be Putin because- Of course Putin, and Lukashenka Äwill beÅ vice-president.

ÄCorrespondentÅ Does Lukashenka agree to this?

ÄBorodinÅ You know, even if he is loath to, he will still agree.

ÄCorrespondentÅ The Belarusian delegation reacted sceptically to this statement. The Belarusian blueprint is presumably different.

As much press is given to this possibility, I honestly just don’t see it happening. This “possibility” has been on the table for years and the two seem to simply despise each other. It certainly wouldn’t happen in time before external and internal pressures force a different political route for the country.