Publication

This paper looks at the impact Russia's historical, cultural and political influence in the the post-Soviet region as well as its foreign policy goals could have on the Eurasian Economic Union's (EEC) efforts to facilitate economic integration and growth among its members states. Overall, the author contends that Russia's dealings with EEC states have mainly been informed by Moscow's attempts to reassert its influence in the region and that, for now, the EEC remains a way for Russia to exploit the underdeveloped economies of former Soviet nations. However, she also suggests that these moves by Russia could be undermined in the future by China's efforts to increase its involvement in the region.