Putin proposes 'Eurasian Union'

(AP) Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has proposed setting up a "Eurasian Union" of former Soviet nations that would become a major global player.

Putin, who has lamented the collapse of the Soviet Union as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century," denied that his proposal represents an attempt to rebuild the Soviet empire.

In an article published on Tuesday in the daily Izvestia, Putin says the proposed alliance of nations should emerge as "one of the poles of the modern world."

Earlier this year Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan already have formed an economic alliance that has removed customs barriers in mutual trade and are to introduce unified market rules and regulations starting January 1. Putin said that Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were expected to join the grouping.