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.
Sri Lanka has stated it is interested in joining the BRICS group as views it ‘as a platform to spur its economic growth.’
Neighbouring India is the 2026 BRICS chair and will host annual BRICS summit in late summer. It is possible Sri Lanka could be invited to become a partner nation.
Russia’s President Putin has met with the Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera in Moscow. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation, including security, economic ties, and humanitarian issues, also signing an agreement to establish an Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.
Russian Railways holds the concession for the Armenian South Caucasus Railway, however due to geopolitical differences between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, large parts of the track have fallen into disrepair. Armenia wants Russian railways to pay for its restoration and then exit the project as Russian Railways are sanctioned and Yerevan says this is damaging its national transit trade potential as it geopolitical relations have now improved.
Kazakhstan is repairing and upgrading the highway facilities leading to its border with Turkmenistan at Temir-Baba near the Caspian Sea coastline. This route is a key part of the Russia-Turkmenistan overland highway with demand increasing as the INSTC routes develop.
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.
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The first Chinese container shipping services are set to re-commence along the Northern Sea Route to Murmansk in early summer. Usage of this passage hit record volumes last year.
Landlocked Belarus, rubbing up against political and security barriers to the West and South, is looking North and East as it wishes to continue to develop its own Pivot to Asia. This includes a specific Belorussian container terminal dedicated to Belarus imports and exports at Murmansk port in the Russian Arctic.
Russia and Azerbaijan have been discussing increasing their bilateral trade, and specifically within the International North-South Transport Corridor. Mutual trade has been increasing yet both sides wish to accelerate this.
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.
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 […]
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