Russia’s relationships with Europe vary from warm, with trade partners such as Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia, to the frigid (most of the European Union and the UK). In between are lesser discussed regions in the Balkans with closer historical ties to Moscow than to Brussels. We examine some of these borderline areas and provide analysis and updates where appropriate along the Russia-European axis.
The media coverage of the spill-over consequences of the military conflict in the Middle East has concentrated on energy shortages, and especially in the immediate region and Europe. However, there are numerous other commodities impacted as well. In this article we describe the benefits and problems this has brought to Russia – and other Eurasian and global actors. We discuss these in detail.
Russian fuel prices have also risen due to the situation in Iran but are expected to return to normal due to replacement from domestic supplies. However there remain some Middle East supply chain and processing bottlenecks. We examine the supply chain trends.
Russian overseas tourists now spend more on their foreign holidays than European visitors do. A combination of higher purchasing power, disposable income and other factors mean the wealth spending factor is now with the Russians. We explain the reasons why this is so.
Russia has made the decision to redirect most of its EU-bound LNG supplies to Asia ahead of the EU’s planned 2027 termination as it wishes to develop new markets instead of concentrate on declining markets. It is unfortunate for the EU that this also coincides with EU energy supply chain problems with the Middle East.
Russian President Putin has assured the Hungarian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister that Russia will do everything in its power to maintain gas supplies to the country. However, he has also said he may shortly cease gas supplies to Europe as Russia is looking for new markets to develop and the European supply situation is a dead-end for Russia. That puts the EU in a serious predicament as supplies from the Middle East are also drying up. We look at how Europe got into this position, and has diminished its standing with Moscow without making adequate contingency plans.
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Russia’s Port Favor, near St.Petersburg, is aiming to double fertilizer exports as it gears up with expanded facilities, including recent increases of Ammonia exports. It remains a key supplier to come European markets.
The first Chinese container shipping services are set to re-commence along the Northern Sea Route to Murmansk in early summer. Usage of this passage hit record volumes last year.
The situation in Iran is creating serious security and supply chain problems in Central Asia and the Caspian Sea regions. We examine the wider geopolitical and energy issues that stretch far beyond Iran. However, architecture is in place to push back against US pressures – we examine the potential collaborations between Russia and China as well as their regional allies.
As readers will be well aware from reports elsewhere, the United States, in conjunction with Israel, has attacked Iran. We will make some initial observations, but generally speaking will not be focusing on this conflict (as is also the case with Ukraine) for the following reasons: We can however make some initial observations as regards […]
Russia’s Pivot To Asia has taken a tentative look back over its shoulder to the West as Norway appeared among the buyers of Russian margarine for the first time in 2025, according to the Russian Agroexport Federal Center. Margarine products worth more than 21 million krone (€1.86 million) were shipped to the Norwegian market, Agroexport […]
Russia and Belarus are planning to launch cross-border suburban trains, which will operate on the basis of free movement within the Eurasian Economic Union, according to Alexander Khoroshevich, First Deputy Head of the Belarusian Railways. Citizens of both countries and foreigners holding residence visas of either may use the cross-border service without needing to pass […]
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