Question

Russia has worked to maintain economic ties to former soviet republics by creating a counterbalance to the european union called

Answer 1

This is the Eurasian Economic Union. This was formed by President Putin with a goal of bringing many of the former Soviet Bloc republics back into line with Russia and giving them all a common economic market. This will give Russia an independent market that will not be as beholden to other countries, giving them a stronger foothold in world affairs.

Answer 2

It is called The Eurasian Economic Union or the EAEU. It consists of five states: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It started functioning in 2015 with Kyrgyzstan joining a bit later. This union was made to counterbalance the EU and it's tendencies to spread their politics worldwide.