The Minsk Summit and a New Phase of Eurasian Integration

At the end of September 2025, Minsk became a focal point for Eurasian regional integration. Drawing on deep ties from the Soviet era, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are attempting to forge a new model of cooperation.

The 9th CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Representatives from various countries discussed and adopted an agreement on cooperation in heavy machinery manufacturing, proposing to strengthen key technology research and development, talent cultivation, and industrial chain collaboration.

Four months later, at the CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting in Minsk on September 29, 2025, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin proposed a strategic initiative entitled "CIS – A Common Space for Healthy and Sustainable Development," with a planning period of 2026-2035.

Concurrently, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union was also held in Minsk, discussing topics such as negotiations for a free trade agreement with Indonesia. These meetings demonstrate that integration in the post-Soviet space is actively developing along numerous fronts, from scientific research and digital technology to agriculture and security.

01 The Strategic Significance of the Minsk Summit

The CIS Council of Heads of Government concluded its meeting in Minsk. This organization, born from the ashes of the Soviet Union, has, over its 34-year history, consistently demonstrated its irreplaceable value as a platform for regional dialogue.

The 9th Council of Heads of Government of the CIS was held in Dushanbe, where it adopted several important documents, including concepts for cooperation in heavy machinery manufacturing, cooperation in light industry, and regional aviation management coordination.

Four months later, Minsk became the center of the Eurasian political agenda. From September 29th to 30th, the city hosted both the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS and the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Unusually, this meeting was combined with the "INNOPROM.Belarus" international industrial exhibition, attracting over 500 exhibitors from 24 countries.

This arrangement reflects the strategic considerations of Belarus as the rotating chair: prioritizing economic cooperation while promoting political dialogue. A plenary session on "New Technology Alliances: Creating the Industry of the Future" held during the exhibition complemented the intergovernmental talks. Most countries sent delegations headed by heads of government. Turkmenistan was represented by its Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, while Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister participated via video link.

02 Two-Track Integration Process

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the two major organizations in the post-Soviet space, are developing complementary structures. The CIS encompasses a wider range of member states and focuses on political dialogue and multi-sectoral cooperation, while the EAEU focuses on economic integration, particularly the coordination of trade and tariff policies.

Within the CIS framework, heads of government approved the "CIS Strategy for the Development of Science and Technology 2026-2035," outlining a long-term agenda for strengthening the scientific and technological sovereignty of the countries.

Also adopted were the draft "Main Directions of Cooperation in the Forestry and Timber Industry among CIS Countries until 2035" and the draft "Strategy for the Digitalization of Major Intermodal Transport Corridors in the CIS Countries." These documents demonstrate that the CIS is shifting from addressing the post-Soviet "separation of civilizations" to building a common development space.

The Eurasian Economic Union, a form of closer integration, made substantial progress at the Minsk Conference. The prime ministers discussed negotiations on a free trade agreement with Indonesia, which have entered the final stages of preparation.

Also, the conference approved decisions on the development and construction of east-west and north-south transportation infrastructure within the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, addressing synergies with China's Belt and Road Initiative.

03 Russia's Strategic Adjustment and "Nearby Diplomacy"

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's policy toward the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has evolved. In its early years, Russia pursued a one-sided foreign policy leaning toward the West, viewing the CIS countries as a burden.

On March 31, 2023, Russia released a new version of the "Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation," replacing the term "CIS countries" with "nearby countries" and maintaining its primary position within the regional dimension of its foreign policy.

This shift marks a strategic reorientation of Russia's approach to the post-Soviet space. The new version of the Concept states: "For Russia's security, stability, territorial integrity, and socio-economic development, it is paramount to ensure long-term, stable, good-neighborly relations and to deepen the potential for integration in all areas with CIS member states."

Russia's efforts to promote Eurasian integration are closely tied to its multipolar worldview. As outlined by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in the "Primakov Doctrine"—non-confrontationalism, pluralism, and pragmatism—Russia is seeking to establish a more equal and inclusive model of cooperation in the post-Soviet space.

04 Specific Areas of Regional Cooperation

Economic cooperation is a core driving force for Eurasian integration. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov revealed at the Dushanbe Conference that trade between Kazakhstan and CIS countries grew by 1.2% last year, reaching $37.3 billion.

These figures reflect not only the stability of economic relations between the countries but also the high degree of complementarity among the CIS economies.

In the field of science and technology, the approval of the "CIS Strategy for Science and Technology Development 2026-2035" provides a clear roadmap for cooperation among member states. Its core objectives are to strengthen the technological sovereignty of individual countries, ensure sustainable socioeconomic development, and enhance national economic competitiveness and people's well-being.

Transport connectivity is another key focus. The draft "Strategy for the Digitalization of Major Multimodal Transport Corridors in the Commonwealth of Independent States" aims to optimize logistics, improve transport transparency and efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve environmental sustainability in the transport sector.

Against the backdrop of increasingly fierce competition for transport routes in the Eurasian space, this strategy clearly demonstrates the CIS's commitment to building its own stable and technologically well-equipped logistics corridors.

05 Eurasian Integration in the Global Landscape

The process of Eurasian integration is closely linked to shifts in the global geo-economic landscape. On the one hand, relations between the West and Russia remain strained due to the Ukrainian crisis; on the other, the rapid development of Asian economies is driving shifts in the global balance of power.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is paying particular attention to the African continent and plans to "accelerate the approval and implementation of the 'Comprehensive Program for Promoting the Development of Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and Africa until 2027.'" This demonstrates the Union's commitment to diversifying its international partnerships.

The synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EEU provides new opportunities for regional cooperation. Years of economic cooperation have demonstrated that China and the Eurasian Economic Union countries have strong complementary resource advantages and great potential for cooperation.

During the Minsk Conference, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the integration of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will help expand the potential for economic cooperation across Eurasia. Minsk views these organizations as important players in building a new and just multipolar world order.

The future development of Eurasian integration will depend on two key factors: whether they can maintain internal cohesion under external pressure and whether they can find effective mechanisms to balance the interests of their member states.

Belarusian President Lukashenko noted that Minsk views these organizations as important players in building a new and just multipolar world order. This process has only just begun, and its future will profoundly impact the power dynamics of Eurasia and even the world.