Russia’s trade and investment into the Middle East is rapidly developing, with relations both through the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League all helping boost bilateral trade by 25% during 2025. Partially driven by the developments along the INSTC, and new regional free trade agreements, we provide analysis of the growing Russia-Middle East economic partnership. Discover trade statistics, investment flows from the GCC, and business opportunities for companies in both regions.
Russia’s President and Foreign Minister have conducted twelve high Ministerial level discussions over the few days with regional Middle Eastern players, and another four with other global actors. In constrast, the United States and European Union have held none. We discuss what was said, the emerging global south position, and international diplomatic efforts at the United Nations.
Russia’s EkoNiva has been expanding its exports and selling non-fat dried milk products to Algeria for the first time. Russian exporters have been increasingly active in reaching out to new markets, and especially in the MENA region.
Russia’s President Putin has held discussions with the leaders of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE concerning the immediate situation in Iran and responses to the current attacks and counterattacks going on in the Middle Eastern region.
Indian oil refiners are discussing with their government and with Russia the possibility of increasing imports of Russian oil due to potential shortages created by the problems in Iran. Russian supplies are not affected by difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz.
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.
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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 […]
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar have been discussing additional prospects for cooperation in their bilateral oil and gas, as well as the development of nuclear energy, at meetings held in Istanbul. Novak stressed Türkiye’s important role as a transit country for oil and gas […]
Iraq’s cabinet has approved an “amicable settlement” with Russia’s Lukoil on transferring oil production operations at the huge West Qurna 2 field to the Basra Oil Company. The agreement concerns invoices and the employment of foreign personnel certified by an authoritative external auditor, the cabinet said in a statement. The transfer has occurred in line […]
Russia’s Rusagro Group, one of the country’s leading agricultural businesses, has created a joint venture, Solrost, with Turkish businessman Sarikurt Bedirkhan for seed production. Solrost will cultivate grains (except rice), leguminous crops, and oilseed seeds. 67% of Solrost is owned by Rusagro, with Bedirkhan holding 33%. Bedirkhan is associated with the Turkish agricultural company, Genesis […]
Russia’s exports of molasses rose 2.2 fold in 2025, to reach nearly US$58 million in value. In physical terms, shipments increased 28% to 555,000 tonnes, the Agroexport federal center has said. Molasses are derived from sugar beet and are used as a sweetener in numerous consumable products from beer to sauces and baking. The main […]
Part One of a Seven-Part Series in which we document the rise of the new outbound Russian entrepreneurial investor. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has emerged as one of the most strategically contested economic theaters of the 2020s. No longer defined solely by hydrocarbons, the Gulf today represents a global capital allocator, logistics nexus, […]
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