Soviet Style Russia Satellite Countries Include Belarus and Kazakhstan Dependent on Gazprom energy

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Putin touts ex-Soviet bloc as Asia-Europe bridge

AFP – President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Russia and a new bloc with ex-Soviet states were well-positioned to become a bridge between Europe and Asia, as he hosted a Pacific regional summit. The Russian strongman, who is hosting the weekend’s APEC summit on Russky Island off the Pacific port of Vladivostok.