The Eurasian Economic Union, a trade bloc of former Soviet states, expanded to four nations Friday when Armenia formally joined, a day after the union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan began. The Russian-dominated bloc has been politically controversial and its early days are being overshadowed by the sharp deterioration of Russia’s economy in recent months.
Associated Press: Moscow-led trade bloc begins in troubled times
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (R) during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Dec. 23, 2014. Putin hosts counterparts from Belarus, Kazakhstan and other ex-Soviet allies in a regional security bloc meant to mirror NATO. AFP PHOTO / POOL / MAXIM SHIPENKOV
