Union State

The Union State,^[a] also known as the Union State of Russia and Belarus,^[b] is an organization made up of Russia and Belarus that was formed on 8 December 1999.^[1][2] The Union State was originally created to unite both countries. However, both countries still preserve their independence currently.^[3]

The Union State is based on a international treaty between Russia and Belarus^[4] made on 2 April 1997.^[5] Although its only members are Russia and Belarus, other countries are allowed to join.

Notes

1. Russian: Сою́зное госуда́рство, tr. Soyuznoye gosudarstvo'"`UNIQ--nowiki-00000000-QINU`"' IPA: [sɐˈjuznəjə ɡəsʊˈdarstvə]; Belarusian: Саю́зная дзяржа́ва, romanized: Sajuznaja dziaržava.
2. Russian: Сою́зное госуда́рство Росси́и и Белару́си, tr. Soyuznoe gosudarstvo Rossii i Belarusi'"`UNIQ--nowiki-00000002-QINU`"' IPA: [sɐˈjuznəjə ɡəsʊˈdarstvə rɐˈsʲiɪ i bʲɪlɐˈrusʲɪ]; Belarusian: Саю́зная дзяржа́ва Расі́і і Белару́сі, romanized: Sajuznaja dziaržava Rasii i Bielarusi.