The risk of instability may still weigh on the region's economic potential.
In July, the EU reached an agreement to double natural-gas imports from Azerbaijan via the Southern Gas Corridor, a network of pipelines connecting the Caspian Sea with Europe. Part of the motive for central Asian and Caucasus states to look beyond Moscow may be to avoid falling foul of Mr Putin and suffering Ukraine's fate.
In May, he made his first state visit to Turkey since becoming President in 2019 and signed an"enhanced strategic partnership" agreement with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. For many in the region, it's a case of rebalancing Moscow's influence to add other sources of economic growth at a time of shifting global trade routes, not least as a result of Russia's war.
Armenia's trade with the EU jumped by nearly 38 per cent in the first half of 2022, according to the National Statistical Committee, but this was overshadowed by a 50 per cent increase in trade with Russia.
straits_times If America stop back up Ukrain,the whole world will be happy.