News Archives

This past week has seen plenty of domestic infrastructure investment activity take place in Russia, in strong echoes of how China built up its economy in the early 2000’s. Much of this is geared towards the manufacturing export sector, which points the way to Russia becoming a major global exporter by 2030 – completely the opposite of Western statements concerning the Russian economy. In addition to Russia, we feature important financial data, including the most recent Russian credit rating, comment on the new EU sanctions and discuss Russia’s development planning within the INSTC, Iran, Pakistan and India, as well as the prospects for LNG supplies to Latin America. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

There has been plenty of Russian logistics developments over the past week, ranging from the expansion of Russia’s inland rivers - with navigable lengths similar to that of its railways – to significant decisions being taken concerning the growth of the INSTC south, and east. It has also been a big week in terms of Eurasian security development potential – the reemergence of the RIC (Russia, India, China) triad and proposals for continental-wide structures that could include some current EU members. Elsewhere, we discuss upcoming Free Trade Agreements, examine existing trade with the UAE, India and China and look at Russia’s summer 2025 tourism forecasts – as well as prospects for Space Tourism. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

There has been plenty of activity between Russian exporters and investors and the Global South this week, as it becomes apparent that Russia is developing as a significant export competitor to the European Union in particular. Subtle state encouragement is also helping, such as tax incentives and the efforts of Russian bodies such as Rosselkhoznadzor, the food sanitation standards agency. A simple scroll down the weeks articles below will showcase the wide range of Russia’s efforts in expanding its export portfolio. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

Amongst all the Ukraine and Trump political talk this week, it has been a significant few days in Russia-Islamic nations relations, with a major international conference involving Islamic heads of State from Africa and Asia attending in Kazan. Significant, billion-dollar deals were quietly signed in an event ignored by the West and overshadowed by Trump’s own Middle East visit. We also discuss a key issue in Russia-US relations: Russia is not a competitor (unlike Europe) to American interests and can offer US investors significant supply chain access both to Europe (currently frozen, but capable of revival) and Asia (booming). This issue – US access and involvement in Russia’s supply chains - will be a major part of any understanding with the Trump administration. Meanwhile – Sergey Lavrov’s speech to the Diplomatic Club is also well worth a read – along with intriguing, wealth-generating proposals for dealing with the billions of dollars of Western funds that Russia has frozen. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

This past week has been a flurry of activity centered around the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. The news from meetings held in Moscow with a significant number of global leaders underscored the multipolar nature of Russia and BRICS as a whole. Aside from that, it may very well be that some western businesses are endeavouring to return to Russia, however that will be on different terms than before 2022. EU has increased sanction yet again, while some sanctions may be eased by the US at the same time. A number of trade and economic agreements were discussed or signed by leaders of African, ASEAN, Central Asian, MENA and Latam with their Russian counterparts, ranging from trade in national currencies to energy and tourism. With best wishes Russia’s Pivot To Asia

Moscow has been busy this week in corresponding with India and Pakistan, in addition to Israel, Iran and the UAE in trying to find solutions to serious regional issues. There is no doubt that Russia is an increasingly respected voice at the UN Security Council where a lot of these conflicts are discussed. In terms of trade and investment, it has been a busy week involving China related infrastructure and supply chains as well as Chinese investment into the Russian Far East. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has also provided an interesting historical overview of Russia’s diplomatic relations with Cuba – we have provided numerous fascinating cultural links to the ties between the two countries. With best wishes for the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War Two! Russia’s Pivot To Asia

Russia’s own domestic and international version of the Belt & Road Initiative has taken a lot of preparatory steps this week, with significant updates concerning the International North-South Transport Corridor, the proposed Trans-Afghan Railway and Russia-China cross-border river connectivity all catching the eye as global supply chains shift. Elsewhere, diplomatic efforts continue in Africa and Asia, while the BRICS Foreign Ministers meetings in Rio de Janeiro welcome the new partner states. New global geo-connectivity patterns are rapidly emerging. With best wishes! Russia’s Pivot To Asia

We’re back after the Easter break! And huge amounts have been going on – not least early signs of Western companies returning to Russia, and impressive diplomatic interactions on all continents, with specific attention in the Middle East, Africa and the global Islamic community. Taking a leaf from Trump, Russia has also begun imposing tariffs on some products from ‘unfriendly countries’. There are important infrastructure updates in the Russian Arctic, Africa, Asia and China logistics, which will shape the geography of future trade flows. Meanwhile, the Russian economy is booming with the ruble gaining significantly against the dollar since January. Its now relatively easy to read between the lines in this detailed round up to see where Russia’s trade and geostrategic future is headed. With best wishes! Russia’s Pivot To Asia

It has been a momentous past week with US tariffs overshadowing two other regionally vital security issues involving Iran, and Africa’s Sahel region. We discuss the military aspects of the two latter developments, and anticipate China’s reaction to Trumps tariffs – which we see are likely to increase BRICS and Global South trade to the detriment of the US as China relocates its supply chains away. There has been a lot of Russian investment activity in Africa and LatAm this past few days while there are signs that some sanctions relaxation may be imminent with both Japan and Singapore easing up on their Russia attitudes. We have also published our new 2024 Guide to Latin America – essential reading for Russian traders and investors interested in South America. With best wishes! Russia’s Pivot To Asia

This week has given us some potentially globally changing issues, with Russia and China discussing new global architecture and a major blow for Brussels as concerns Eastern European energy supplies. Trump’s new sanctions on Russia will also impact global oil markets with China and India also likely to take reciprocal actions. April will be a chaotic month. Longer term, Putin’s Arctic speech outlines a great deal of Russia’s domestic and foreign policy, while the first Western corporates look to return. Trade and diplomatic developments in Asia and Africa complete the picture. With best wishes! Russia’s Pivot To Asia

In the main news of the week, there has been no breakthrough as yet concerning the opening of the Black Sea: we explain the issues at stake. Elsewhere, Russia-China logistics are undergoing significant developments to meet future trade targets, while the EU continues to bleed investors to Russian re-domiciliation – an unreported issue in the West. We examine the latest BRICS vs Eurozone PMI data, while there are updates on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline and energy developments in Africa. We showcase Russia’s trade and investment interests in Central America and take a close look at the Russia-Mexico relations and Venezuela’s BRICS difficulties. As always, it’s been an eventful week with global trade implications. With best wishes! Russia’s Pivot To Asia

The Middle East, and especially Iran have been a focal point for Russia this past week, with Moscow arguably using its close ties with Tehran as a bargaining chip with the United States over Ukraine. Free Trade and Security matters have been extensively discussed and actioned between them. Elsewhere, warming ties with the United States even extend to Mars exploration, while Russia appears to have fully absorbed sanctions punishments – foreign trade was up nearly 5% in January. Less happy is Europe, with our views on the ‘Greater Eurasian Partnership’ as discussed by President Putin this week being less than optimistic. Elsewhere, Russia’s massive trade and investment efforts continue on a global basis – a highlight being Africa, where Russian trade is growing the fastest. Our latest 2025 Guide to Russia’s interest in West Africa has also been made available this week. With best wishes! Russia’s Pivot To Asia