The end of Russia’s Eurasian project

Russia’s takeover of Crimea has reminded its neighbours in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia that – in Moscow’s eyes – they are post-Soviet states first and newly independent states second.

This means that Moscow is prepared to use military force to safeguard essential interests in what it considers its almost exclusive sphere of influence, and that it is willing to pay an international price for doing so. Along with potential economic sanctions, and increasing political confrontation with the West, Moscow is likely to pay another price for its intervention in Ukraine: the end of President Putin’s putative plan for a Eurasian Union.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

Crimea’s referendum: the questions / Crimea 'votes for Russia union' (Euronews 15.03.14, et al) http://www.europeansources.info/record/crimeas-referendum-the-questions-crimea-votes-for-russia-union/

ESO: Background information: Eurasian Economic Integration: Law, Policy and Politics http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurasian-economic-integration-law-policy-and-politics/

ESO: Background information: Towards a Eurasian Economic Union: the challenge of integration and unity http://www.europeansources.info/record/towards-a-eurasian-economic-union-the-challenge-of-integration-and-unity/

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