Geopolitics of Eurasia – UPSC GS2

Post-Communist states have not settled on a sustainable political path.

In Central Europe and the Baltic States, the transition to liberal democracy appeared to be quick.

While many other former Soviet republics drifted into the rule of strong men.

Both models are under stress as democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland challenges the norms of the European Union.

Despite being resource-rich and embracing economic globalisation, the leaders of Central Asian republics like Kazakhstan have ensured an inequitable society.

The hope that regional institutes contributing to the stability of post-communist states have not been met.

Even after joining the EU, the eastern and western halves of Europe are vastly different.

Several issues related to the Rule of Law, migration, energy and geopolitics act as dividing factors.

There is also resentment in the eastern half about the domination of the western half on EU policymaking.

Russia has launched the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation to re-establish its primacy in Eurasia, but has not been successful yet. Russia joined SCO with China, to bring stability in the Central Asian region.

To lessen their dependency on Russia, many former members of the Soviet Union are engaging with all major powers to strengthen their strategic autonomy, which Nazarbayev called “multi-vector diplomacy”. But still, countries like Kazakhstan are dependent on Russia, when any crisis arises.

In Ukraine Conflict, Russia prefers to negotiate with the USA rather than the EU.

In Kazakhstan, Russia has shown it remains the main security provider despite the considerable economic salience of China.

Hence, major economic power such as the EU and China have been unable to shape the political and security dynamic in Eurasia.