Unifying Belarus and Russia into one state not on agenda - Putin

Russian President Putin on 20 June held his annual televised call-in show called Direct Line with Vladimir Putin, answering questions from the citizens of Russia.

Among other things, the Russian leader was asked when Belarus and Russia would unify into one state.

"This is not on agenda. We are working on the implementation of the Treaty on the Union State," Putin replied, adding that a lot had already been done in this regard.

Media reports suggested earlier that on 25 June the presidents of Belarus and Russia would receive the propositions from the governments on a deeper integration between the two countries in the framework of the Union State.