Trade News & Analysis

Trade

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.

Economy Main
Featured May 13, 2026

Russia’s Economy: 2026-2029 Forecast by the Ministry of Economic Development

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development has presented its fiscal plans for 2026 and the forecast period for 2027-2029. We examine these insights, including GDP development, inflation, the energy sector, and risk factors such as the Iran and Ukraine conflicts. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the Russian economy and what Russia’s immediate economic future will look like under the current global conditions and inherent future risks.

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Abkhazia Main
May 12, 2026

Abkhazia’s Russian Investment Moment: Analysis

Russian President Putin has met with Abkhazia’s President Badra Gunba in Moscow. Abkhazia is a semi-autonomous Black Sea state with a contested geopolitical status, limiting access to global financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and Western capital markets. However, Russia and Abkhazia are putting into place a 5 year development plan aimed to increase Abkhazia’s GDP by 60% in 2030 and to raise income levels to similar values as Russia. We discuss these plans and the implications.

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Ossetia Bilaterial Relation
May 12, 2026

Russia – South Ossetia Bilateral Relations Update: May 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with the South Ossetian President, Alan Gagloev, in Moscow. South Ossetia is a semi-autonomous, partially recognised state in the north Caucasus that ceded from Georgia in 2008. The South Ossetian economy is heavily reliant on Russia, however a new strategic development plan has been agreed that aims to increase the countries GDP by 60% by the end of 2030. We examine the details.

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Srpska Bilateral Relations
May 12, 2026

Russia – Republika Srpska Bilateral Relations Update: May 2026

Russia’s President Putin has met with the recently elected president of Republika Srpska, Sinisa Karan. The Republika is a largely autonomous part of Bosnia & Herzegovina, an EU candidate state in the Balkans. Consequently, the geopolitical situation largely created by the breakup of Yugoslavia remains highly complicated. The Republika wishes to continue relations with Moscow at a time when Bosnia & Herzegovina and the European Union does not. We discuss the current state of play and the bilateral relations between Moscow and Banja Luka.

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Malaysia Bilateral Relations
May 11, 2026

Russia-Malaysia Bilateral Relations Update: May 2026 

President Vladimir Putin has met with the Supreme Ruler of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, who has been visiting Moscow. Malaysia is a BRICS partner state and has a US$4 billion+ trade turnover with Russia, with volumes also showing sustainable growth. Ibrahim invited Putin to a formal State visit to Malaysia during 2027.

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Laos Bilateral Relationship
May 11, 2026

Russia-Laos Bilateral Relationship: Update – May 2026

Russia’s President Putin has met with the Laos President and a full senior government and business delegation in Moscow. The two sides are looking at ways to increase bilateral trade and solutions to Laos’ energy shortage problems, with oil and gas supplies likely to be sent via Vietnam. Bilateral trade doubled in 2025.

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Putin
May 10, 2026

Analysis of Putin’s May 9 Press Conference, His Meetings with Global South Leaders, and the Direction of Russia’s Pivot to the Global South

Russia’s President Putin gave a detailed speech on May 9 (Victory Day) in which he discussed his thoughts and Russia’s strategy as concerns its immediate direction towards the Global South. He commented specifically about Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and China as well as Europe, and how he sees global developments pan out. This article will be of interest to all Russia-watchers, geostrategic analysts as well as politicians in the West and Global South.

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