The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) meets today in Moscow to discuss regional economic developments and bilateral cooperation. Photo: Eurasian Economic Commission

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) meets today in Moscow.

The EEC is the ruling body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a single economic market created among several post-Soviet -states—Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. During the two-day meeting, leaders will discuss regional economic developments, and focus on improving bilateral cooperation within the union.

Over the last few years—and especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine—the union became a significant part of Moscow’s foreign policy. The Kremlin has increasingly exerted its influence over the member-states of the union to fulfill its political and economic ambitions. Expect Moscow to once again call on members to show solidarity with Russia and economically support the ongoing war effort in Ukraine. They see the union as a means to skirt the heavy trade restrictions imposed by the West. Russia aims to use its power within the union to get additional free-trade agreements with neutral countries during the short-to medium-term. This is because Moscow desires to create additional supply chains and transportation hubs that will allow them to trade in critical goods despite the sanctions.