Geographical proximity in the relations between Russia and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries means that any economic or financial crisis in Russia has had almost immediate effects on the CEE countries during the last decade. These appeared mainly in the CEE countries' export performance, very strongly in some countries. Although reliance on Russia as a supplier has lessened considerably since the transition in Central and Eastern Europe began, Russia is still the main market for some important exports...

The Russian market is still uncertain and fragile. These conditions impose several constraints and limitations on strengthening the CEE countries' economic and commercial relations with Russia. Long-term strategies have to be drawn up to address the following problem. Should companies stick it out in Russia, despite the risks for several years to come, or should they base their strategies on redirecting their trade links elsewhere, losing their foothold in Russia and risking price wars in other markets? The choice is difficult, given the uncertainty about the future of the Russian market, and it becomes more complicated in the light of the CEE countries' continuing problems with penetrating world markets...