Russia and four other ex-Soviet nations have completed the creation of an ambitious new alliance intended to bolster their economic integration.

Leaders of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have agreed to create the Eurasian Economic Union, an alliance intended to further boost economic and trade ties between the ex-Soviet neighbours.

The re-election of Vladimir Putin has seen Russia stifle dissent and put reform on the back foot; moves that recall the age of Stalin, writes Nina L Khrushcheva.