Western critics sometimes compare contemporary Russia with the Soviet Union. In this article we discuss the economic development of the USSR and compare it to the development of the Russian Federation. We underline why they are fundamentally different, the economic and social reasonings for this, and why Moscow is not intent on ‘recreating’ the USSR.
Russia will permit truck drivers from Georgia and the CIS countries to remain in Russia for 183 days in every year to allow them to work continuously. The scheme kicks in from June 30. We provide the application details.
Kazakhstan may consider a possible gas export route through Russia and European countries to Italy, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Energy Minister Kairkhan Tutkyshbayev has stated. Kazakhstan has significant gas reserves and could provide an alternative to EU countries purchasing Russian gas.
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, has arrived in Russia on a state visit, his first overseas trip since winning the national elections last month. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials to discuss various investment projects including a massive oil pipeline and trade.
Hong Kong is attracting interest from Central Asian nations as a capital raising financial centre, with Kazakhstan’s Sovereign Wealth Fund owned national railway company looking to raise money via a Hong Kong IPO this year. This marks a profound shift in Hong Kong’s traditional financial markets and signifies a new direction in bringing China Belt & Road Initiative related projects to the territory to raise finance.
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Belarus, which was accepted as a BRICS Partner nation in 2024, is making plans to join the BRICS New Development Bank. Doing so will open up alternative opportunities to raise capital for infrastructure and related developments as an alternative to capital markets in ‘unfriendly’ nations and to be able to do so without using the US dollar or Euro.
Russia’s FESCO Transportation Group have recorded a 38% increase in shipments between Chinese Ports and Vladivostok in Q1 2026 over the same period last year, with the bulk of these being Chinese exports to Russia.
A comprehensive overview of Russia’s trade and investment with the ASEAN nations between 2026 and 2031. We analyse all elements of mutual trade opportunities as many ASEAN countries face ongoing Middle East-driven oil supply disruptions and fertilizer supply chain and production cost uncertainties, alongside broader geopolitical realignments. Essential intelligence for anyone in the ASEAN trade space.
Indian and Russian investors are building a US$2 billion Urea production plant at Togliatti to secure the future supplies of fertilizers to India following supply chain weaknesses uncovered during the Iran conflict. India is the world’s biggest urea importer.
Russia is upgrading its Taman Port near Krasnodar to help develop urea and other fertilizer exports, specifically for Asian markets now seeking supply chain alternatives to the sole Middle East route. When completed, the port’s capacity will increase to 3.5 million tonnes of ammonia and 1.5 million tonnes of urea per year.
Russia’s Africa Corps have thwarted attempts by European and Ukrainian militia and mercenaries to instigate a coup d’etat in Mali, after Western backed forces attacked the capital, Bamako, as well as the cities of Kati, Gao, Kidal, and Sevare. An estimated 1,000 militia were killed and over 100 military vehicles destroyed by the Russian military in the fighting. The Malian Defense Minister was killed, and the situation remains tense.
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