Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as an effective tool against Western sanctions.
"The Eurasian Union has shown its effectiveness in the face of new challenges, including those related to the policy of sanctions pursued by some countries and the dismantling of many pillars of international trade," Putin said on Wednesday at the EAEU's anniversary summit in Moscow.
The EAEU, which was founded 10 years ago, includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan alongside Russia.
The common market and joint decisions to protect investments had helped the members to adapt to the new circumstances, said Putin.
The Eurasian Economic Union is set to grow further in the future, the Russian leader said, adding that the member states have therefore authorized the start of negotiations with Mongolia on a free trade zone.
Moscow has been trying for years to gain new members for the union in order to drive forward integration processes in the region between Europe and Asia and form a counterweight to the European Union.
So far, the process has been slow. Only two other countries - Cuba and Uzbekistan - have observer status.