Russia’s total trade reached about US$745 billion during 2025, also showcasing a significant, albeit shifting, trade surplus of about US$120 billion. In this section we cover all news concerning Russian trade developments, with Russian exporters increasingly reaching out into new markets on a global basis as it pivots away from the West. This is the definitive source on Russian trade. Get the latest data, analysis, and news on Russia’s import/export activities, trade agreements, and increasing commercial partnerships with the Global South.
We examine the Russian Far East and its increasing infrastructure and trade integration with the rest of Asia, including specific attention to China, India, ASEAN and the Middle East.
Vladivostok’s commercial seaport is to expand its TEU handling capacity by 15% over the next 18 months based on China and Asia trade demand. The investment is symptomatic of Russias eastern trade volume trends.
Russia’s Murmansk Seaport is successfully recalibrating its energy trade from Northern Europe to China, doubling its Iron Ore exports to China’s massive steel industry in H1 2026.
Tanzanian Airlines have begun a regular Zanzibar-Moscow service designed to promote tourism and trade. The country is renowned for its spectacular beaches, safari’s and wildlife and is another exotic Russian tourism alternative to European destinations.
The Russia-Pakistan Working Group on Counter-Terrorism has been meeting in Islamabad. We discuss the Pakistani overview and potential for further bilateral cooperation.
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The Eurasian Economic Union has been discussing trade with China and the prospects for defined tariffs. At present the two parties have a non-preferential trade agreement, but this could change to a more significant trade deal.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced it is to open four new Embassies in Comoros, Gambia, Liberia and Togo in a mix of what will become tourism, trade and energy related diplomatic moves. Russia is aiming for 100% diplomatic coverage throughout the African continent by next year.
Rosatom have agreed a roadmap with the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board for plans to build a Small Modular Reactor in Rwanda. The country wishes to diversify its energy mix as demand increases.
Russia’s VTB bank is once again looking at developing operations in Iran as the conflict situation begins to calm down. Bilateral trade exceeded US$5 billion last year and has grown in 2026 despite problems. VTB will be looking to finance part of that trade.
The Iraq Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa has said it would be a ‘good idea’ for Iraq to join the BRICS, depending on the terms. Such a move would almost certainly face US opposition.
Russia has resumed the import of gas from Turkmenistan for the first time since 2016. The move fundamentally alters Eurasian and Russian gas flows and bypasses the troublesome Black Sea region.
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