The study looked at how countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) respond to shocks from other countries and changes in oil prices. They found that CIS countries are very sensitive to global and regional shocks, especially after the global financial crisis. The strongest responses were to shocks from the US, Russia, and within the region itself, but they also became more sensitive to shocks from the euro area. Even though trade with China has increased, CIS countries still have moderate responses to shocks from China.