Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) greets Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko (L) during the welcoming ceremony in Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 20, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) greets Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (L) during a welcoming ceremony in Saint Petersburg, Russia, December,20,2019.
  • Russia plans to take over its neighbor Belarus, according to a leaked document from Putin's office.
  • The plan is to create a "union state" led by Russia by 2030, the document says.
  • The move would remove Belarus' autonomy and bring Russia closer to more NATO countries.

Russia plans to take over ally and neighbor Belarus by 2030, according to a leaked document from President Vladimir Putin's executive office, obtained by a group of European journalists from outlets across the continent.