Russia’s Relations with the CIS Countries: Outlook for 2020

... Middle East, North Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, which prompted Moscow to prioritize a more insular approach. In 2009 Putin accelerated the creation of the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, and in 2011 suggested establishing the Eurasian Union. The Common Economic Space bringing the three countries together has formally in operation since 2012. Even with Moscow’s renewed impetus, this integration process is only likely to succeed if Russia and its partners concentrate on ...