Latest updates, insights, and analysis.
The Russian Ministry of Finance has stated it is looking at issuing Chinese Yuan-denominated bonds to replace expiring Euro-bonds and may do so as early as May. It is the latest in on-going, consistent moves to remove the US dollar and Euro from the Russian governments trade portfolio and replace them with alternative, mainly Asian currencies.
Russia-Egypt bilateral agricultural trade increased 7% in Q1 2026, with Russian exports rising 5%, according to the Russian Agriculture Ministry. Russian supplies traditionally consists of grains and oil and fat products, while imports from Egypt are mainly fruit, vegetables and berries. Trade in mineral fertilizers also grew by 68% last year.
China’s imports of Russian soybean are at their highest level in nearly three years as agricultural supply chains shifts elsewhere prove beneficial to Russian exports. The crop is a staple of Chinese cuisine.
Despite reports to the contrary, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has addressed the Armenian Parliament this week and stated that relations with Russia were at their highest-ever level. While political differences remain, the two countries are closely intertwined in trade with Russia responsible for 37% of Armenian exports.
In this article we look at other global commodities that are produced in the Middle East and at how this conflict benefits the United States, as well as areas where Russia also stands to gain. We look at where shortages are likely to arise with the cost of resulting higher prices, and what this means for Europe in particular.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has visited Beijing and met with China’s President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. We deep dive the meetings, what was discussed and examine the near 15% Russia-China bilateral trade growth achieved in Q1 2026.
The Russian and Indonesian Presidents and their respective economic development teams have met in Moscow. We deep dive the meetings that were held, with an onus on energy, bilateral trade growth and mutual investments. Indonesia has a population double that of Russia and an economy growing five times faster.
Global supplies of helium have dropped by 30% after Qatar, the world’s largest producer has had exports dry up as a result of the Iran war. The United States is now the largest global exporter and is making huge mark ups on supplies to its allies. Russia is the world’s third largest exporter and has banned exports to ‘unfriendly countries’. Helium is a critical gas for use in semi-conductor and other hi-tech manufacturing. This is very bad news for European and some East Asian IT manufacturers, with global ramifications.
Russia has more than doubled its wheat exports to Sudan, while the country endures a civil war now extending into its fourth year.
The development of the multipolar world is taking effect. We feature analysis of what this means for the United States, China, the European Union, United Kingdom and Russia in an article especially written for Russia’s Pivot To Asia’s readers by a Russian State Councillor.
Logistical problems in the Middle East, combined with increased costs for shipping oil and gas from others sources in North America, Latin America and Africa mean that East Asian governments are once again looking at Russia and the Northern Sea Route for deliveries. We examine the pros and cons.
The Russian and Indonesian Presidents are meeting in Moscow to discuss trade development, along with their respective economic and trade teams. Indonesia is a full member of BRICS, and has a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union that entered into force last year. Bilateral trade is currently worth about US$4.7 billion.
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