“The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ending the old War nuclear standoff and ushering in a more cooperative era. That historic event was viewed as a victory by most people in what was then known as the “free world” and as liberation by hundreds of millions who suffered under Communist rule behind the Iron Curtain. But a certain nostalgia for Soviet-era economic integration seems to underlie Russian President Vladimir Putin’s support for what he calls a Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Ostensibly a tariff-free zone with more deeply integrated economic policies, the EEU would, if Moscow has its way, encompass most of the former Soviet Union. The EEU would model itself on the European Union and strive to lower trade barriers, creating “new dynamic markets” that lead to economic growth and prosperity, Putin says...”

Excerpt from per Concordiam Staff, “A Eurasian Economic Union,” per Concordiam: Journal of European Security Defense Issues 4, No. 2, 2013: 58-61.

This article reflects the views of the author and are not necessarily the official policy of the United States, Germany, or any other governments.