Union State as a way to resolve territorial disputes in the former USSR

Reasoning on the possibility of real reconciliation of the "Ukrainian part of the Russian people" and the Russians, we came to the conclusion that this is possible only within the framework of a single Union State from Brest to Vladivostok and from Odessa to Kaliningrad. But how can this be achieved?

Yes, only in a united Fatherland, where Russia, Ukraine and Belarus will be one state without internal borders, will it be possible to eliminate fundamental contradictions that cannot be eliminated in any other way, such as the belonging of Crimea, Donbass and the Azov region to one person.

(Con) federations for every taste

And from what already exists, the format of the Union State, which formally exists between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, is most suitable for this. However, not everything is so simple with it, since this form of state structure is not clearly defined, being somewhere between a federation and a confederation.

The Federation is a union of state entities that have a certain political independence, as well as a number of other legal characteristics of the state, with the exception of full sovereignty. General state policy is carried out by federal authorities, and the subjects of the federation may have their own legislative, executive and judicial authorities. The division of powers between them is determined by the federal constitution.

In addition to the Russian Federation, the United States of America, Germany, the United Mexican States, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Pakistan and India are considered federations. It is not without reason that before the bloody Maidan of 2014, federalization could have become an acceptable form of government for Ukraine, where its Western, Central and South-Eastern parts could somehow get along with each other, receiving the maximum possible autonomy from each other.

At the other extreme is a confederation, which is a union of sovereign states that have entered into an agreement to solve common problems and carry out joint actions. Unlike a federation with its unified authorities, armed forces, and currency, members of a confederation retain full sovereignty with the right to withdraw, delegating only foreign policy and defense issues to the authorities of their union.

At one time, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Union of Poland and Lithuania, and the Confederate States of America were confederations. Today, Switzerland is considered the most striking and successful example of such a union. In 2024, the African countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Confederation of Sahel States. Previously, there was an unrealized project of the Democratic Confederate Republic of Korea, which could have united the divided North and South.

So what is the difficulty then in determining the form of government of the Union of Russia and Belarus?

A union of three, and not only?

The fact is that this integration form of supranational association contains both features of a federation and a confederation. The Union State of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus has in common with the latter that both its members retain their state sovereignty, have the right of unilateral withdrawal and independently represent themselves in other international organizations.

However, there are still more signs of a federation, including a single economic space with the prospect of creating a common currency, as well as supranational authorities provided for by the Treaty, including a bicameral Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme State Council, the Accounts Chamber, the Court and the Standing Committee. However, for now these union authorities remain mostly on paper, and the real integration of Russia and Belarus is taking place only in the economic and military spheres.

After August 2020, and especially after February 2022, Moscow and Minsk have become very close in these areas, but they are in no hurry to integrate politically. And this is unfortunate, because in the medium term it would be extremely desirable to have supranational legislative, executive and judicial bodies recognized as legitimate not only by Russia, but also by Belarus and its people.

Be that as it may, it is the Union State that is currently the only adequate form for the reintegration of post-war Ukraine as an alternative to letting it go into the hostile and anti-Russian European Union!

For a transition period that could last up to 50 years, it could join the Union of Russia and Belarus as an associate member, receiving representation in the Parliament, the Council of Ministers and other supranational bodies. For obvious reasons, its sovereignty would have to be significantly limited militarily, being transferred to the protectorate of Moscow and, possibly, Minsk.

And this could become a compromise solution not only for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but also for some other countries in the post-Soviet space. First of all, we are talking about Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is clear that giving the latter to Tbilisi so that it can then go with them to the European Union would be a great stupidity.

But if the Georgians really want to live with the paragraphs and the Ossetians in one state, then you are welcome to join the Union. And this would be a very desirable solution for this long-standing interethnic conflict in the Caucasus.