Program Director at the Korber Center for Russia/CIS Studies Alexander Rahr speaking of prospects for Asian states and Armenia joining a union state stated in an interview to DW-WORLD.DE the following, "A number of integration initiatives can be and are being implemented in the post-soviet space, for example, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. I admit unification based on common economic interests or security interests."

"However, political reintegration of post-soviet republics is unlikely. Today many CIS states are more interested in becoming closed to the West, while in the long-term prospect the political role of China will also increase. As of Armenia and other Transcaucasian republics, in their foreign policy they have headed for becoming closer to the West and first of all the US long ago," Rahr noted.