Latest updates, insights, and analysis.
Russia’s VTB bank, the second largest in Russia, has finalized the legal merger of Crimea’s largest bank, the Russian National Commercial Bank, (RNCB), with integration procedures to be completed by the end of 2025, according to VTB CEO Andrei Kostin. He stated that “Completing RNCB’s integration is not just a technical step. We hold RNCB […]
Foreign transport companies, including those from the CIS countries, are showing great interest in studying Russia’s approaches to building the country’s first high-speed railway (HSR), according to Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit. Russia is preparing to build an HSR between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Starovit said that “The subject of the high-speed railway is a […]
Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Khojamyrat Geldimyradov has stated during the Russian National Day celebrations (June 12) at the Russian embassy in Ashgabat, that Russia is a key trade partner of Turkmenistan with 2024 bilateral trade exceeding US$1.6 billion. He said that bilateral trade grew 58% between January and May this year alone. If maintained, that […]
The German Economic Institute has reported that Russia’s exports have grown considerably compared to figures recorded prior to the Ukraine conflict and despite sweeping Western sanctions. In a report published on Friday (June 13), the institute stated that “despite all European efforts, Moscow is ‘skilfully exploiting the loopholes in the sanctions regime to expand its financial resources.’” […]
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held discussions with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the wake of this weekend’s attacks by Israel on Iran and the subsequent Iranian retaliation. It is believed he is the only world leader still able to discuss – and potentially mediate – between […]
Bilateral trade between China and Russia continues to decline, with Russian exports of hydrocarbons decreasing both in physical and monetary terms, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. In the first five months of this year, the volume of trade between Russia and China decreased […]
While Russia, under increasing sanctions, is looking for new logistical supply chains, strengthening cooperation with North Korea, and planning new international routes, the Central Asian countries continue to seize the moment to build as many transport corridors as possible through their territories, consolidating their place not only in the regional but also in the global […]
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Vietnam has become a BRICS partner country, saying, “The Brazilian government announces Vietnam’s official accession as a partner country.” Brazil is the 2025 Chair of the BRICS group. According to the ministry, Vietnam has become the association’s 10th partner, and stated that the country “shares with BRICS members a commitment […]
The Mongolia-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) free trade agreement is to be signed off at the end of this month. To prepare, PJSC Russian Post and Mongol Post, the Mongolian postal operator, plan to develop postal solutions, including expedited rail and air delivery and developing e-commerce channels and logistics centers operating between the two countries. According to the […]
Russia’s alcohol consumption behaviour has been changing in recent years due both to geostrategic changes in global markets and because of Russia’s internal policies. The latter has included a tightening of fiscal policy in the alcohol industry in early 2025, introducing higher excise taxes, higher minimum retail prices, and higher import duties. This has led to a […]
South Korea’s SsangYong autos, now rebranded as KGM, has returned to the Russian market for the first time since 2017. The brand, and especially its Rexton series of SUVs, was at the time a prestigious and well-loved marque in the Russian market. SsangYong had a strong position in Russia in previous years, but sales were […]
The Russian Republic of Kalmykia is set to host the 3rd International Buddhist Forum, a major international event celebrating spiritual dialogue and cultural unity. It will take place in Kalmykia’s capital city, Elista, from September 25 to 28. Kalmykia is the only Buddhist republic in Europe, located in the Eastern Caucasus. Most Kalmyks practice Tibetan Buddhism. The ancestors […]
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