Russia＇s Vision of the Belt and Road Initiative：From the Rivalry of the Great Powers to Forging a New Cooperation Model in Eurasia

摘要

The article aims to highlight Russian approaches to Chinese One Belt-One Roadinitiative. It examines possible opportunities and challenges for co-development of theEurasian Economic Union and the Belt project. Both projects and their co-developmentmay reduce the uncertainty in Eurasia, caused by significant structural changes ininternational relations and the world economy, the emergence of new trade regimesand the erosion of leadership in international affairs. Russian interests in this regardare determined by the need for modernization and long-term development, which couldalso help to address acute security issues. These particular factors encouraged Russiato come up with an ambitious plan of the Extensive Eurasian Partnership, although theprospects of its implementation currently are uncertain. The present article argues thatthe success of Russia-China collaboration in Eurasia will depend crucially on the futuredynamics of the Eurasian integration, as well as on the agreement to co-develop theEurasian Economic Union and the Belt Initiative with concrete and mutually beneficialprojects.