Putin signs decree on unified air defense system with Belarus
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ratified the protocol to the agreement on joint protection of the airspace of the external border of the Union State and the creation of a unified regional air defense system of the Russian Federation and Belarus.
The agreement itself appeared on February 2, 2009 and the protocol was signed in Minsk on November 2, 2016. The State Duma adopted the corresponding bill on October 20, 2017 while the Russian Federation Council approved it on October 25.
"Ratification of the protocol is in the interests of Russia, as it will contribute to the further development of military cooperation and strengthen peace and security of the parties, as well as improve the reliability of the protection of the Union State's outer border airspace," noted the Chairperson of the Council of the Federation Committee on Defense and Security, Viktor Bondarev.
Putin also ratified the agreement on joint technical support for the regional military groups of Russia and Belarus, which was signed in Minsk on November 2, 2016.