Putin unveils counter-EU option for post-Soviet states

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on the 4 October 2011 for a 'Eurasian Union' of former Soviet republics along the lines of the European Union. This was Mr Putin's first major foreign policy statement since revealing his intended return as Russian President in 2012.

Mr Putin’s call came as the EU was deeply divided over the extent to which it is prepared to embrace former Soviet republics – and when its economic problems made it less attractive to potential new members.

• Primary Source

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ESO: Background information: Eastern Partnership Summit Warsaw, 29 and 30 September 2011 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eastern-partnership-summit-warsaw-29-and-30-september-2011/

ESO: Background information: Putin sets sights on Eurasian economic union http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-sets-sights-on-eurasian-economic-union/

BBC News, 4.10.11: Putin calls for 'Eurasian Union' of ex-Soviet republics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15172519

EurActiv, 17.11.11: Moscow fleshes out 'Eurasian Union' plans http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/moscow-fleshes-eurasian-union-pl-news-509042

EurActiv, 9.7.12: Russia makes case for Eurasian Union http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/russia-pushing-forward-eurasian-news-513780

Wikipedia: Eurasian Economic Community http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Economic_Community

Wikipedia: Eurasian Union http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Union

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