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Cooperation with our international partners continues, despite the difficult geopolitical situation. We are open to dialogue on equal terms.

Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin

Statement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, June 2023 · Gecheckt op 4 maart 2026
Cooperation with our international partners continues, despite the difficult geopolitical situation. We are open to dialogue on equal terms.

Analyse

Russia has maintained **some** economic and diplomatic ties with non-Western partners (e.g., China, India, Iran, and BRICS nations) post-2022, as evidenced by trade data and bilateral agreements. However, the assertion of 'equal terms' is questionable, as many partnerships are asymmetrical (e.g., discounted oil sales to India) or framed by Russia’s isolation from Western markets. Independent analyses (e.g., IMF, SWIFT data) show a **sharp decline** in cooperation with traditional Western partners, while new alliances often reflect pragmatic workarounds rather than equitable dialogue. The claim also omits that Russia’s demands in negotiations (e.g., lifting sanctions) are widely rejected by the EU/US.

Achtergrond

Since 2022, Russia has faced unprecedented sanctions from the US, EU, and allies, severing many economic and technological ties. In response, Russia has pivoted toward 'friendly' nations, but these relationships are often transactional and limited in scope (e.g., energy exports, arms deals). The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2023 itself saw **reduced Western participation**, with attendees primarily from sanctioned or neutral states, underscoring the constrained environment for 'equal' cooperation.

Samenvatting verdict

Mishustin’s claim about Russia’s openness to dialogue is partially accurate, but the extent of 'equal terms' and meaningful cooperation is disputed amid sanctions and geopolitical tensions.

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— International Monetary Fund (IMF), *Regional Economic Outlook for Europe*, October 2023 (trade shifts post-sanctions) - [IMF Report](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/REO/EU/Issues/2023/10/10/Regional-Economic-Outlook-for-Europe-October-2023)
— Russian Federal Customs Service, *Trade Statistics 2022–2023* (data on China/India trade growth) - [Russian Customs](http://eng.customs.gov.ru)
— Reuters, *Analysis: Russia’s trade with China, India hits record highs, but at a cost*, June 2023 - [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/russias-trade-with-china-india-hits-record-highs-cost-2023-06-15/)
— SWIFT, *Monthly RMB Tracker* (exclusion of Russian banks from global transactions) - [SWIFT](https://www.swift.com)
— Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, *Russia’s Pivot to Asia: More Myth Than Reality*, May 2023 - [Carnegie](https://carnegieendowment.org)