Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly warned against the creation of new dividing lines in Europe. He accused the EU of trying to carve out a new sphere of influence in the six CIS states and forcing them to take side between Russia and the West.

The EU and Russia's vying with one another for the prize of Ukraine has played a direct role in causing the former's present crisis. In November 2013, at large economic cost, Russia persuaded then Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych to suspend the signing of the association treaty with the EU. In the immediate aftermath of that decision, widespread protests erupted in the country and ultimately caused the ouster of Yanukovych in February 2014. Advanced by the pro-Western government, Ukraine signed the association treaty with the EU in Brussels last June. The former Russian partner will join a free trade zone with the EU by the end of this year.

Apart from the EU, the Ukraine crisis also illustrates geopolitical competition between Russia and the United States. Russia has repeatedly accused the United States of backing a "color revolution" in Ukraine. U.S. senators John McCain and Chris Murphy appeared in Kiev on December 15, 2013 and delivered speeches to opposition groups, stoking the climate of opposition to the Yanukovych administration. The protests in Ukraine soon spiraled out of control. It was also the United States that brought its European allies together to impose sanctions against Russia, causing heavy economic damage to both Russia and the EU.

In Europe, competition between the two rival groups has begun in earnest, as both the EU and the Russia-led EEU compete for the affections of the remaining CIS states. Some Eurasian countries have hesitated to declare which side they will join. On January 12, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov said at a parliament meeting that his country would not join the EEU or any other customs union. He further asserted that Uzbekistan will not become a member of any military or political alliance at any stage in the foreseeable future.

Opportunities

Russia's neighbor China is currently working to build the Silk Road Economic Belt together with Eurasian countries. Many have argued that China's initiative will inevitably clash with the EEU. However, if we take into consideration the nature of the Chinese economic proposal, the two initiatives are in effect highly compatible and could even draw strength from each other.

Unlike the EEU, China's initiative is a loose international cooperation proposal based on mutually beneficial results. The EEU aims to promote regional integration, whereas the Silk Road Economic Belt calls for enhancing connectivity. China welcomes all countries to participate in the economic belt.

The EEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative will combine to form a blueprint for the Eurasian continent. The two will both be present in Central Asia, an important area for both Russia and China. As part of the CIS, Central Asia represents the bridge linking China and Europe. Most Central Asian countries firmly support the economic integration of the CIS states and enjoy close economic and trade ties with both China and Russia, which will help them handle various economic cooperation initiatives properly.

More importantly, China and Russia have established a comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership. The two countries have reached a consensus to work for common development through mutually beneficial cooperation. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a positive example of what China, Russia and their Central Asian partners can accomplish together. A peaceful and prosperous Central Asia conforms to the fundamental interests of China and Russia. In the future, the EEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt can together spur the economic growth of Eurasian countries. China and Russia should seize the opportunity to strengthen their respective economies.

The author is director of the Department for European-Central Asian Studies under the China Institute of International Studies