Prospects for cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and the “Belt and Road” initiative in the field of digital economy

This article presents a historical analysis of digital cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states and China under the aegis of the “Belt and Road” Initiative (BRI). The evolution of this relationship is examined through a lens of evolving integration processes within the digital sphere. The study traces key developmental stages of the digital economy in Eurasia, commencing in the 1990s, when the digitalization of the post-Soviet space was constrained by resource scarcity, while China experienced robust growth in its technological sector. The impact of the BRI on the digital modernization of the EAEU countries is analyzed, and salient challenges are identified, including infrastructural limitations, human capital deficits, and geopolitical instability. Particular attention is directed to issues of cybersecurity and technological dependence. The article delineates historical parallels with prior integration projects in Eurasia and discusses the prospects for the formation of a unified digital ecosystem.