ASEAN Archives - RUSSIA'S PIVOT TO ASIA

Featured October 10, 2026

Sberbank Creates Direct Financial Settlement Mechanism With Myanmar

Sberbank has completed preparations for direct financial settlements with Myanmar, which will support major state contracts and commodity flows. Financial settlements for commodity exports and imports of agricultural products, fertilizers and mechanical engineering will also use the system. The development negates the use of SWIFT and the US dollar as payment tools, while a key element of the scheme is Sberbank’s Indian branch, which provides access to payments in Indian rupees and connects Myanmar companies with Russia, India and the Commonwealth of Independent States markets.

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Featured October 10, 2026

Kuibyshev Railway Sends First Wheat Exports To Vietnam By Rail

Kuibyshev Railways and the Deng Xiaoping Terminal in Russia’s Tatarstan region has sent its first container train of wheat by rail to Vietnam. The train, consisting of 76 containers with 2,000 tonnes of wheat, departed from the hub’s One Belt One Road terminal, and will finish its journey in Vladivostok. From there, the containers will be sent to Vietnam by sea.

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October 10, 2026

Belarus Begins Exports To Indonesia Via Vladivostok

Belarus is shipping exports to Indonesia via Vladivostok, after the two countries were united via a Free Trade Agreement through the Eurasian Economic Union. Bilateral trade volumes are relatively small at US$220 million in 2025 but this is expected to double in the next two years.

October 7, 2026

Russia, Myanmar Trade & Investment Increasing & Diversifying

The Joint Russia-Myanmar Commission For Trade & Economic Cooperation was held in Moscow this week, with Russia and Myanmar expanding their bilateral trade and economic ties through long-term commodity agreements, joint infrastructure projects, and alternative settlement mechanisms. Bilateral trade turnover has been scaling up, with total trade values close to US$2 billion.

September 28, 2026

Russia At The United Nations: 50 Meetings – Multipolar Connectivity, Selective Western Dialogue and Economic Diversification: Analysis

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has held 50 meetings while attending the United Nations in New York. We examine each of these, including important discussions with the United States, and Germany and look at the significance of Russia’s expanding international diplomacy and what this means in terms of foreign policy developments and potential outcomes.

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September 27, 2026

The 2026 TNF Industrial & Energy Forum: Russia’s Energy Technology Base, Industrial Localization And International Markets: Analysis

The annual TNF Energy forum has concluded in Tyumen, featuring significant energy participation involving China, ASEAN, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The event laid out Russia’s energy dynamics, exports and infrastructure build with oil and gas companies, equipment manufacturers, oilfield-service providers, technology developers, universities, government institutions and foreign energy partners. We assess the likely impact and global energy flows. This article is essential reading for anyone interested in Russia’s global energy development.

September 24, 2026

The Eurasian Economic Union & The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s 2027-2030 Action Plan: Content & Analysis

The Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation have agreed a Joint Action Plan to cover the period 2027-2030. This covers important trade development areas including digitalization, information and communication technologies, customs regulation, agro-industry, food security, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, consumer protection, green-economy issues and information exchange. We deep dive the contents to explain exactly what this means and the impact on EAEU and SCO members.

September 23, 2026

Growing Russia-Hong Kong Economic Relations: From Trade & Investment to a Greater Bay Area Business Gateway

Hong Kong has just hosted a Russian business mission, with both local and Russian companies interacting to explore potential for local market and Greater Bay Area penetration for Russian products. Hong Kong is also well positioned to assist Russia exporters access markets in ASEAN. Current Russia-Hong Kong trade hit US$2 billion in H1 2026, while the SAR also providing non-cash financial services to Russian companies trading with China – Hong Kong has handled over 100 tonnes of Russian gold bullion destined for China this year.

September 16, 2026

The New Development Bank’s New Investment Platform: Revolutionizing BRICS Payments and Investments

The (BRICS) New Development Bank has been given a new strategic focus with its New Investment Platform giving it a far more significant role in trade development and investment. This has flown somewhat under the radar and been little commented on – however the implications are substantial. It will significantly improve BRICS trade and investment as well as change global trade flows. We explain the NDB’s New Investment Platform, what it includes, how it works and the impact on project financing and future trade.

September 15, 2026

Russia, Malaysia Bilateral Relations: September 2026 Update

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with both sides having sizeable delegations. The main points raised were in bilateral agriculture, finance, security, and energy developments and cooperation. We detail these issues as bilateral trade continues to grow by 13% per annum.

September 12, 2026

Russia-Vietnam Bilateral Relations – A Deep Dive into the 50-Point Joint Statement, 21 Deals and Other Major Outcomes: Analysis

Most reports on the Putin-To Lam meetings omitted details of the two countries 50-Point Joint Statement and the 21 strategic development documents. In this follow-up artcle we identify in detail exactly what these were and the implications for Russia-Vietnam-ASEAN trade development. It is essential reading for anyone involved in ASEAN affairs.