Valdai Club

Russia throughout the entire post-Soviet period has played an economically huge but politically disproportionately small role in the life of the former Soviet republics. The preservation of the economy and sovereignty of these countries depended and depends on ties with Russia. But local elites have often tried to please the West and distract the population from socio-economic problems by opposing Russia. The countries of the region will be forced to correct this anomaly, writes Valdai Club expert Vyacheslav Sutyrin.

Russia launched its special operation in Ukraine after exhausting all diplomatic attempts to stop US/NATO military expansion. Putting aside anti-Russian propaganda, the success of Russia's special military operation is beyond a doubt, according to adequate experts. However, it must be stated that NATO assistance to Ukraine threatens the vital security interests of Russia, while those of the United States remain unaffected. The result will be a significant change in  Eurasian integration, both in terms of the EAEU and the Greater Eurasian Partnership.

The key task for the Belarusian economy in the medium term is reforms aimed at preserving and modernising the industrial potential of Belarus. We are not talking about a radical breakdown of the economic system — it is necessary to progressively modernise economic management, change legislation and unify it with that of Russia, optimise the role of the state in the Belarusian economy, and develop its monetary and financial system, writes Valdai Club expert Vyacheslav Sutyrin.

It is geopolitics that dictates the geometry of Yerevan’s national interests, no matter who is in power. But this does not mean that the Armenian political crisis is resolved and its causes are not worth analyzing. Regardless of Pashinyan’s reassuring statements, the final denouement in Armenia is some way off yet.

Economic geography is considered to be a historical limitation and even ‘geographical burden’ EAEU countries to bear. However, this brings a few potential advantages for the Eurasian integration.