Putin sets sights on Eurasian economic union

Feature looks at the evolution of the Eurasian economic union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. 'This is truly an event of great interstate and geopolitical significance,' Mr Putin said after a summit of the three countries in August 2011. 'For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the first real step has been made towards restoring natural economic and trade ties in the post-Soviet space'.

Mr Putin also suggested that once the common economic space was established, its members should start talks on a free-trade agreement between the bloc and the EU.