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.
Two senior Russian officials have released a joint analysis concerning Russia’s views of ASEAN, its relations with BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Eurasian Economic Union and its role in defining the emerging new world order. It is essential geopolitical strategic reading for anyone interested in Southeast Asia and its relations with Russia, and the developing multipolar world.
Russia’s FESCO Transportation Group and the UAE’s DP World are creating a logistics and shipping alliance that will dwarf all the largest global operators such as Maersk and will develop both the Northern Sea Route as well as look at further developing Middle East-Asia-Central Asia-Russia trade dynamics. The move comes as sanctions and conflicts disrupt traditional routes and will secure Eurasian trade in the longer term.
Russia’s Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Maxim Oreshkin, has stated that Russia’s foreign trade has increased, not decreased since western sanctions were imposed on the country in 2022. We crunch the numbers to look at what has changed and where Russian exports markets have declined, increased, and in which commodities.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has stated that Russia will not export oil to any countries imposing a price cap. This affects all the G7 nations including the European Union, who have imposed price caps at US$45 a barrel for Russian fuel oil. However, volatility created by the conflict in Iran has seen prices fluctuate between US$75 to above US$100 a barrel while Russia has shifted its energy export priorities to markets in Asia. JP Morgan analysts suggest the price could reach US$150 a barrel if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened soon.
Russian logistics operators and shipping companies have found themselves in demand in Saudi Arabia due to their expertise in developing new supply chain routes in the wake of sanctions and handling regional conflicts. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed for Saudi exports, Russian and Saudi logistics professionals have been working the problem and coming up with creative solutions. It is a trend likely to impact future supply chains in the Middle East, Eurasia, Southeast Asia and Africa.
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Russian rail connectivity and freight volumes with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries has been increasing and is set to continue this trend. We examine the rail development plans of each of the major national carriers as it becomes apparent that overland supply chains must improve in the wake of regional maritime uncertainties and conflicts.
Kazakhstan and Russia are making significant efforts to boost Eurasian continental rail connectivity with China, in moves that will further secure supply chains in the wake of current maritime shipping problems. We examine the trends and the longer term impacts.
Russia’s Novatek is to supply LNG to Vietnam with initial deliveries of 1 million tonnes. The two sides are also looking at collaborating in numerous other energy fields as Asian supply chains add alternatives to relying wholly on Middle East resources.
Russia’s Ozon online marketplace has entered Turkmenistan and has partnered with the national postal service to arrange deliveries. Ozon is one of Russia’s largest and pioneering e-commerce companies, often referred to as the “Amazon of Russia”, offering millions of products across multiple categories and sustaining a wide logistics and delivery network. It has had significant growth in Central Asia in recent years.
The Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Shymkent to attend a Eurasian Economic Union Intergovernmental Commission. Russia-Kazakh bilateral trade has reached nearly US$30 billion, ahead of schedule, while Russian investment in Kazakhstan has reached US$50 billion. The two countries collaborate in energy, agricultural and numerous engineering sectors.
Russia’s FESCO Transport Group is emerging as an significant Asian regional multimodal carrier as it begins servicing intra-Asian and not just Russian trade. As an example, the group recently shipped Vietnamese vehicles to Kazakhstan.
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