PRESIDENT Yeltsin signed a pact with President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus yesterday which added details to the two countries marriage contract but fell somewhat short of the once envisaged all-embracing merger.
In the midst of an effervescent bout of activity that will also see him sign a post-Cold War treaty with NATO on Tuesday, Mr Yeltsin confirmed Gen Igor Sergeyev as permanent replacement for Mr Igor Rodionov, the defence minister he dramatically sacked for his failure to reform the army.
The 66-year-old Mr Yeltsin, who three months ago appeared destined to spend the remainder of his second term as a virtual invalid after heart, surgery, seemed to revel in, the action.
The union with Belarus, however, has turned out to be a far cry from the milestone event once planned. Mr Yeltsin made clear yesterday that the two countries would no longer pursue the aim of forming, a single unit.
The integration pact is seen as a step toward extending Moscow's influence right back to the western frontier of the old Soviet Union. Supporters of the deal see it as an appropriate response to Poland's intention to join NATO.
Mr Yeltsin says Russia remains strongly opposed to the western alliance's plan to expand eastward, but nevertheless concluded an accord with NATO last week.
Meanwhile, Gene Sergeyev (59) a respected career officer and intellectual whom the Kremlin's civilian defence planners are banking on to reform the army without asking for more money, faces a daunting task.
Many analysts would, agree with the sacked Mr Rodionov that reform of the army without new spending and investment is a virtual impossibility.