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.
Russia’s LNG storage is on track to be at 100% capacity to meet this winter’s demand, while the EU has fallen short of its storage targets. However, although the EU is unlikely to face energy cuts, other suppliers are taking advantage of the EU’s political position. The cost of natural gas in the European Union when compared to Russia is currently 976% more expensive.
Russia’s 2026 wheat harvest has already produced enough for its domestic consumption, and it will concentrate the remaining crop harvest for its huge export markets. In contrast, the European Union now imports wheat from North America at 2.5 times the price of Russian wheat. A key part of Russia’s pivot to Asia strategy is a pivot to self-sufficiency – ensuring that its domestic production is in good health prior to engaging in exports of critical consumer products.
Russia has achieved self-sufficiency in its apple production, as it has turned away from its previous European Union supply chains to wholly domestic reliance. Russia has achieved this by planting 113,700 hectares of apple orchards over the past five years. In contrast, the EU’s own apple crop has been diminishing due to climate change and its own agriculture policies.
Aeroflot have purchased the 49% stake in Russia’s largest in-flight catering company, Aeromar, from Germany’s Lufthansa. The deal is noteworthy as Aeroflot is sanctioned, while Aeromar’s recent performance saw it make losses. Aeroflot will be expected to turn the business around and back into profitability under all Russian investment and management. Aeroflot’s international passenger flight capacity increased by 8.9% in Q1 this year.
Armenia is poised to hold a referendum about joining the European Union. In this article we look at its relationship and trade with the Eurasian Economic Union and the practical issues Armenia needs to take before making a choice.
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The Russian and Belarus Presidents have met this past weekend in Moscow, with Putin saying that 2026 bilateral trade has increased by 12.5%. We examine their trade and investment data and look at growth sectors and where the opportunities are.
The Russian Minister for Trade & Industry has provided Russian President Vladimir Putin with a development assessment of Russia’s performance during 2025 and new updates. With hard evidence to support the data, Western politicians and economists must start to look at the realities or be prepared to be wholly surprised – and their economies overtaken – in the next two years.
There is more than meets the eye concerning the Vatican’s Foreign Ministerial meetings in Moscow. We examine the background and details behind the visit and why this matters as concerns the Vatican, Russia, and Ukraine.
Russia has increased its exports of Pollock and other fish to the European Union to over a 50% share of the EU’s total imports. Several EU fish processing plants vetoed Brussels attempts to stop the trade, which forms a substantial part of Europe’s white fish consumption.
Both Russia’s inbound and outbound tourism sectors are booming despite Western sanctions designed to prevent it. Instead, the market has completely recalibrated. We deep dive what is happening in this important development sector and the economic impact and investments this is producing both in Russia and in overseas markets.
Chicken Wars: Russia has been developing a ‘super chicken’ aimed at competing with dominant Western varietals. With food security and Western sanctions and trade tariffs now a concern for China as well as smaller economies, Russia’s varietal is less expensive, apparently better quality and looks set to compete on a global basis.
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