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And historically Russia isn't particularly known for making its satellite countries rich, especially if their sole purpose is to serve as a buffer zone according to the 19th century "geopolitical" military doctrines that are still mainstream in Russian political elites.
This was the case with Ukraine, this is the case with Belarus. Cheap gas and oil wasn't to help "people with the same culture" but quite the opposite - prevent any structural reforms and keep them dependent.
