Shaping Eurasia: Competition and Cooperation in a Changing Region
Field Notes Research Profile
Crina Viju-Miljusevic, EURUS

Crina Viju-Miljusevic delves into the dynamics of competing regional cooperation frameworks within the Europe-Caucasus-Asia region, analyzing the initiatives led by China, Russia, and the European Union.
Can you offer a “lay” description of your research topic?
My current research focuses on the dynamics of competing regional cooperation frameworks within the Europe-Caucasus-Asia (ECA) region, with an emphasis on the overlapping regionalism initiatives led by China, Russia, and the European Union. These frameworks facilitate collaboration among countries within a specific geographical area to address shared challenges, promote economic integration, enhance security, and foster sustainable development.
I am particularly interested in analyzing the trade routes and corridors emerging in this context, as well as the interplay of geopolitical rivalry and interdependence among the key actors—the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the European Union. The historical and institutional legacies of the region significantly shape the opportunities and challenges for cooperation.
Additionally, my research examines how initiatives like the EU’s Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union intersect and compete, alongside localized efforts such as the Lapis Lazuli Route, initiated by regional states. This area of study provides valuable insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape and its implications for trade and regional integration.
What piqued your interest in this topic?
My interest in this topic was sparked by the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global trade and supply chains. The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of major trade routes and highlighted the importance of alternative routes to maintain the flow of goods.
In particular, the Europe-Caucasus-Asia (ECA) corridor became a critical infrastructure link between Western Europe and Central and Southeast Asia, helping to reduce reliance on the busiest seaports. This shift in global trade dynamics, especially the growing significance of lesser-known trade routes, provided a unique opportunity to explore how international trade patterns evolve in response to geopolitical and global challenges.
What question were you hoping to answer in your research?
What roles do the core powers—the European Union, Russian Federation, and People’s Republic of China—play in reshaping and reorienting international trade, investment, and the mobility of human capital along the Europe-Caucasus-Asia link of the global supply chain? To what extent are the existing formal mechanisms for regional cooperation sufficient to ensure adaptability and resilience of supply chains during disruptions? How does this model of interregional integration contribute to our understanding of the emerging theory of new regionalism?
What is something people would be surprised to learn?
First, the findings of this research are not confined to any specific region but have a global scope. They provide valuable insights for policymakers on how state positions toward regionalism have shifted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s growing isolationism and economic tensions with the West, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Second, in the Europe-Caucasus-Asia (ECA) region, regional integration has primarily been driven by state actors in Russia and China (as with the Eurasian Economic Union and China’s Belt and Road Initiative) rather than market forces or civil society. As the primary architects of regionalism and dominant players in regionalization, these states wield significant influence over its scope and depth. This contrasts with regionalism pursued by the EU, Canada or the US, which is largely propelled by market forces and non-state actors.
What’s the biggest misconception about your research area?
An important misconception about this research area is that the competing regional cooperation frameworks within the Europe-Caucasus-Asia (ECA) region operate in isolation from one another. In reality, these mechanisms are not only competing but also deeply interwoven, with overlapping trade routes, economic interdependencies, and shifting geopolitical influences. The interactions between these regional efforts often blur the lines between cooperation and rivalry, creating a complex web of strategic maneuvering.
For instance, countries may simultaneously engage with multiple initiatives, balancing economic opportunities with political and security considerations. Understanding this nuanced dynamic is key to appreciating how regionalism is evolving—not just as a collection of separate efforts, but as a multifaceted and interconnected process that is reshaping global trade, regional power structures, and political alliances.
Any new projects that you’re excited about?
Along with my colleagues, Profs. Paul Goode and Jeff Sahadeo, we recently launched the Eastern Europe and Transatlantic Network. This initiative is supported by the Department of National Defence through the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) program. The project aims to provide a critical Canadian perspective on the transformations in Europe and Eurasia since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our objectives include building a network of subject matter experts, fostering the development of a new generation of specialists on Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and enhancing Canadians’ understanding of defence and security issues in the region.
What’s your favourite class to teach?
I enjoy teaching all my classes, but one that stands out is my second-year course, EURR 2002: Europe and Russia in the World. This interdisciplinary course explores the roles of the European Union, and the Russian Federation in international affairs. It allows me to engage students with diverse perspectives, foster meaningful discussions, and connect the material to current events, making the subject both dynamic and relevant.