The Eurasian Economic Union faces significant internal tensions as Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have jointly demanded that Armenia hold a nationwide referendum to choose between deepening integration with the European Union and remaining in the Moscow-led EAEU. According to Meduza, they warned that Armenia's EU bid poses 'significant risks' to the bloc's economic security and said they will review possible suspension of Armenia's EAEU treaty as early as the next summit in December 2026. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if Armenia starts switching to EU standards, Russia will have to roll back all economic integration with it, stating that 'special relations' will not be ruined by Yerevan's political moves toward the West.
India and the Eurasian Economic Union are discussing a 'limited and temporary' trade arrangement covering selected groups of goods as part of negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement, according to Russia's Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov. Speaking to the Vesti programme, Reshetnikov described the negotiations as 'complex', noting that the Indian side's requests were 'quite ambitious'. The minister explained that the current discussions focus on a list of goods defined by product groups rather than a comprehensive free trade agreement. As per The Times of India, Reshetnikov emphasized that 'things are more complicated with India: the economy is larger, mutual interests are more complex, so to speak', making the negotiations particularly challenging.
Russian President Vladimir Putin provided an update on trade negotiations during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. According to TASS news agency, Putin stated that 'last year trade agreements were concluded with Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with Indonesia, intensifying negotiations on trade liberalisation with India'. The Russian president emphasized that the EAEU supported launching talks on free trade agreements with new partners, with all aspects of such cooperation carefully analysed.
Reshetnikov highlighted the complexity of India-EAEU negotiations, explaining that 'the economy is larger, mutual interests are more complex' compared to other potential partners. The EAEU comprises five member states: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, established in 2015 to promote economic integration through a common market and removal of trade barriers. The India-EAEU free trade agreement process has gained momentum, with bilateral trade turnover reaching USD 69 billion in 2024, up seven per cent from the previous year.
The India-EAEU free trade agreement negotiations have progressed significantly in recent years. According to reports, in August 2025, India and the EAEU signed the Terms of Reference to formally launch negotiations for a free trade agreement. The first round of negotiations was held in November last year, indicating active progress in the bilateral trade discussions between the two economic blocs. Recent developments show that Russia and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement for Russia to build Kazakhstan's first post-Soviet nuclear power plant, near the village of Ulken by Lake Balkhash, with Moscow financing about 85% and launch expected around 2035–2036.
