Russia Aims to Forge Eurasian Trade Bloc Amid Western Sanctions

A leaked Russian government report, disclosed in an internal presentation led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, reveals Moscow’s ambition to create a broad Eurasian trade bloc. The plan, detailed in a review covered by the Financial Times on February 11, 2025, outlines an effort to overcome Western sanctions by strengthening ties with former Soviet nations and countries across the global south. The proposed macroregion is designed to secure access to raw materials and to establish robust financial and transport connections while fostering a unified political worldview.

Despite these ambitions, the report acknowledges significant challenges. Western pressure remains a major obstacle, with efforts already underway to induce Central Asian countries to align with sanction policies. This uncertainty follows instances of internal discord among economic partners, as highlighted by reports of a contentious high-level meeting within the Eurasian Economic Union in January 2025, underscoring the complexities of economic and political integration in the region.