Heard a new rumour concerning Putin's political future today: Russia and Belarus will form a union soon and Putin becomes the leader of that new entity.
Sounds a bit far-fetched but this is what was reported in some German newspapers today.
The Russian-Belarussian Union stories have been out there a while, but I thought they had stalled because Lukashenko had put down unpalatable conditions on the deal? Maybe he backed down.
In any event, it this happens, it will be one of the EU's first major external crises. With Russia once again swallowing Belarus, the Baltic states will be very lonely up there, all but surrounded by Russia. Considering the provocations Russia has already engaged in toward Estonia this year, the question becomes, will the EU stand up for its Baltic members?
