Russia’s financial sector is changing as new infrastructure and development projects materialise, overseas funding is provided to friendly nations, and the landscape changes as regards use of currencies into addition to shifts in the way in which capital is used, from QR codes to Crypto all driving new regulatory and Central Bank guidelines. Navigate Russia’s financial landscape. Get analysis on the banking sector, investment mechanisms, currency exchange, and capital markets for businesses operating and investing in Russia.
US President Trump has agreed to purchase 3 million tonnes of diesel oil from Russia to alliveviate American shortages, in moves that have shocked Europe and Ukraine. We examine what the deal actually involves, the value, and the implications for US-Russia and US-Europe-Ukrane political relations moving ahead.
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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held an intensive Q&A session at the recent Valdai Club event in Moscow. He covered multiple issues including the differences between the collapse of the USSR and the current situation within Russia, Kaliningrad, the use of nuclear weapons, NATO, the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, Russian prior attempts to integrate into Europe, the international maritime rule of law, Iran, the development of the Donbass, China, differences between Russia and Chinese culture, Japan, President Trump, Serbia, India, nuclear proliferation, Italy, the European Union, EU asset returns, a new Iron Curtain, Palestine, BRICS, APEC, Israel, Artificial Intelligence, UN reform, the Northern Sea Route, the Russian economy, Russia-Africa relations, Switzerland, Ukraine, updates on the Ukraine conflict and the potential for movement into a new political direction. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Russia’s global views on Russian and international affairs.
Russia is eying involvement in Tajikistan’s proposed Hualon Hydropower Plant, with a planned capacity exceeding 2.5 billion kWh. However, Russia is acting cautiously and prefers the construction of wind farms to solve Tajikistan’s winter energy requirements. Discussions are continuing.
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.
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Russia’s trade with the Global South and ‘friendly’ countries now accounts for 85% of its total, reaching about US$299 billion in H1 2026. The West provides just 15% of Russia’s economic trade and continues to decline. We examine the main Global South trade partners in all regions, and provide the latest H1 2026 trade data. There are some surprising results for those who assume Russia only trades oil with China and India. The non-energy sector on a worldwide basis is increasingly dominant as Global South trade volumes continue a Russian growth trajectory.
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.
China’s Jigang Group are planning to invest in developing an Industrial Park in Ussuriysk in the Russian Far East. The company is a major manufacturer of specialised steel products for the aviation manufacturing sector. Russia plans to build 570 domestic passenger aircraft over the coming decade.
Africa’s development potential loomed large over both the recent BRICS and SCO summits, with MoU being signed to better integrate economic development, trade and investment. We examine the increasing links between Africa and Eurasia in a detailed and wide-ranging analysis. This report will be of interest to anyone involved in African development.
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.
The BRICS 2026 Summit in New Delhi has concluded, resulting in a unanimous, 100 point ‘Delhi Declaration’, and over 50 planned initiatives. With BRICS now responsible for nearly 40% of global GDP and 25% of global exports, what these documents contain matters. We deep dive the results and provide analysis of what BRICS 2026 achieved, the development path ahead and the implications for global trade.
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