"We are registering the growing interest of Asian countries in the EAEU"
In the context of the war in the Middle East, Russia will consider applications from countries for the purchase of oil, but the decision will be made taking into account Moscow's relations with specific states. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko. The diplomat stressed that Russia will not supply fuel to countries that maintain the price ceiling. India and China are playing a key role for Moscow in connection with the sanctions restrictions. Since New Delhi, the parties have made progress in preparing an agreement on a free trade zone with the EAEU, and trade in the agricultural sector is growing with China. More and more ASEAN countries are joining the development of the Northern Sea Route. About new plans with partners and dialogue with unfriendly countries — in an exclusive interview with Andrey Rudenko "Izvestia".
"There is a shortage and an increase in the cost of energy resources"
— Due to the energy crisis due to the situation in the Middle East, the United States temporarily withdrew the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products from sanctions. In particular, Thailand has already declared its readiness to purchase oil from the Russian Federation. Are such prospects being discussed with unfriendly countries, such as Japan?
— The situation in the energy markets is currently subject to strong volatility, there is a shortage and an increase in the cost of energy resources. However, the Japanese government is bound by obligations to impose a price ceiling on Russian—origin oil, an anti-market measure that disrupts supply chains. As has been repeatedly stated, Russia will not supply oil to countries that support this provocative venture.
If official requests are received from the authorities of other countries, they will be carefully considered, including taking into account the nature of Russia's relations with these states and, of course, the economic interests of our country.
Since 2022, after the start of a special military operation, the G7 countries, the European Union and a number of other states have imposed a ceiling on Russian oil prices. This means that companies from the jurisdictions of these countries will not be able to provide services for trading Russian oil if the price in the contract is higher than this level. We are talking about transportation, insurance, financing, transshipment and other procedures. On February 1, 2026, a new price ceiling of $44.1 per barrel came into force.
— China remains Russia's largest trading partner in Asia. China has already significantly increased purchases of Russian energy resources. In what other areas is the growth of mutual trade possible?
— Despite the sanctions pressure and turbulence, as well as global turmoil on global platforms, by the end of 2025, the goal set earlier by the leaders of Russia and China to bring bilateral trade to the level of $200 billion was significantly exceeded. As in 2024, Russia took the fifth position in the list of China's main trading partners.
The gradual saturation of our markets with traditional export goods has led to the need to find additional and support new growth points that are already gaining momentum. Among them, for example, is the sale of agricultural products.
We note the high interest in increasing the volume of mutual supplies of agricultural products and the implementation of new joint projects. This makes a significant contribution to ensuring the food security of Russia and China. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, in 2025, trade turnover in this area increased by more than 20%.
Large-scale work is underway to position and promote the national brand "Made in Russia" in China under the auspices of the Russian Export Center JSC. Over the past two years, six festivals and fairs have been held in major cities, which introduce Chinese consumers not only to Russian goods, but also to the rich cultural heritage of our country.
The store of Russian goods under the brand "Made in Russia" in Beijing
— India is an equally important partner in Asia. What new areas of cooperation are possible? Has it been possible to reach official agreements on the construction of small nuclear reactors?
— India is one of our country's key trading partners. At the bilateral summit in December, a Program for the development of strategic directions of Russian-Indian economic cooperation until 2030 was adopted. By this date, we plan to increase the volume of mutual trade to $100 billion in accordance with the task set by the leaders.
There are all the necessary prerequisites for this: relevant departments are in close contact, the contractual and legal framework is actively expanding, including on mutual protection of investments. The partnership in the field of civil aircraft industry is gaining momentum. We hope that the export of Russian digital solutions, including in the field of urban infrastructure management, can serve to increase trade relations.
Our country makes a significant contribution to ensuring India's energy security by supplying hydrocarbons on favorable terms and building the Kudankulam NPP. Other promising options for expanding energy cooperation are also being explored. The proposal of colleagues from India to build ice-class vessels with a non-nuclear power plant in Russia's interests was first announced at the WEF in 2023. It is being thoroughly reviewed by the bilateral working group on cooperation on the Northern Sea Route.
The finished reactor for the Kudankulam NPP at the Atommash plant in Volgodonsk
"Over 90% of settlements between the Russian Federation and the SCO countries are conducted in national currencies"
— One of the important tools for deepening cooperation is settlements in national currencies. What is their share within the BRICS and SCO in 2026? Is the idea of linking the digital currencies of the member countries of the associations being discussed in order to reduce dependence on the US dollar?
— The use of national currencies in mutual settlements is one of the important, system—forming factors in the development of trade and economic relations at the present stage. The BRICS and SCO member states are actively implementing the use of national currencies in trade exchanges. Today, over 90% of settlements between Russia and the SCO countries are conducted in national currencies. This was achieved largely due to the implementation of the roadmap for a gradual increase in the share of national currencies in mutual settlements, adopted at the September 2022 summit. The relevance of continuing such work was confirmed at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member States chaired by Russia in Moscow on November 18, 2025.
The Russian side pays special attention to the development of an independent payment, settlement and depository infrastructure in the SCO, as well as the formation of a bank for joint investment projects. Work is underway to establish an organization's Development Bank.
In the year of the SCO's 25th anniversary, all these tasks are becoming particularly relevant. Together with our partners in the association, we will continue to actively promote their implementation.
"The EAEU and the participating countries are not going to stop there"
— Trade and economic cooperation helps to develop the EAEU. Has the Union moved closer to an agreement with India on the creation of a free trade zone? At what stage is this issue with Pakistan?
— Expansion of foreign trade activity is one of the fundamental directions of development of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Free trade agreements are currently in force with Vietnam, Serbia and Iran, and similar documents have been signed with the UAE, Mongolia and Indonesia, as well as with Singapore. There is also an agreement on trade and economic cooperation with China in the arsenal.
The EAEU and its member countries are not going to stop there. Currently, partners are being identified with whom, if there is mutual interest, a preferential trade regime can be established in the future.
The most striking example is India, with which the first round of negotiations on a free trade area agreement took place last year. It will become a powerful driver for increasing the economic ties of the association with the largest state in South Asia. Experts from both sides are currently conducting inter-sessional work, which will continue to discuss the document.
The development of cooperation between the EAEU and Pakistan, including the possibility of creating a free trade area, is indeed being worked out. In January 2026, the EEC Council decided to launch an appropriate negotiation process with Islamabad.
— Which other countries are interested in the FTA, as well as in cooperation with the EAEU as a member state and observer?
— At the same time, we note the growing interest in the union of many countries, including Asian ones. Our association is considered not only as a large market, but also from the point of view of the possibility of building a constructive mutually beneficial dialogue. At the same time, the range of incoming requests is quite wide — from the creation of a free trade zone to obtaining the status of an observer state.
The EAEU operates on the basis of the principle of consensus and taking into account the interests of all member States, therefore, existing applications are studied primarily for their economic feasibility. This work is usually confidential and takes some time, as it requires a thorough analysis of the national interests of each of our countries.
— Russia is an ASEAN dialogue partner. In what areas and with which countries of the organization do you see prospects for cooperation?
— This year we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of Russian-Asean relations, which reached the level of strategic partnership in 2018. The Russia–ASEAN dialogue covers a wide range of areas of practical cooperation, including strengthening transport and logistics connectivity. This topic occupies an important place in the joint policy documents. In particular, we see good prospects for establishing cooperation in the maritime sector, which is one of the priorities for ASEAN both from an economic point of view and in terms of security.
Among the ASEAN countries, I would like to single out Indonesia and Singapore as potential partners in the development of the northern latitudes.
Indonesians actively participate in thematic discussions at SPIEF, WEF and other forums in Russia. Moreover, the sphere of their interests is not limited to trade and transportation along the Northern Sea Route, but also extends to joint scientific research. The dialogue with Jakarta is ongoing at the level of the leadership of relevant departments and the expert community.
Singapore retains permanent observer status in the Arctic Council. Closely interacts with the participants in the Council's working groups in key areas. Unfortunately, the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Singapore remain a deterrent to bilateral cooperation.
Useful work is being carried out through the Russian Maritime Board. In 2025, its chairman Nikolai Patrushev paid visits to Vietnam and Indonesia, where issues of cooperation on various aspects of maritime activities were discussed in detail. In May 2025, he met with a delegation from Myanmar, which is also a very promising partner in building optimal logistics chains.
Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Head of the Russian Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev and President of Vietnam Luong Kyong during talks in Hanoi. September 16, 2025
"We welcome the intention of South Korean companies to return to Russia"
— Western sanctions complicate logistics and trade for unfriendly Asian countries. Reportedly, the lifting of restrictions against Russia was discussed at a meeting of the ruling party of Japan. Do you see any changes in Tokyo's rhetoric?
— We know that proposals to lift illegal anti-Russian restrictions imposed under far-fetched pretexts are being broadcast to the Japanese authorities by certain politicians who are committed to constructive cooperation with Russia. At the same time, we have not yet recorded any positive changes in the rhetoric of official Tokyo on this topic.
For their part, they have repeatedly stressed that the resumption of interstate dialogue is possible only after the Japanese government's rejection of the anti-Russian course, backed by concrete steps.
— In the Republic of Korea, businesses are increasingly declaring their desire to return to the Russian Federation. Is the Russian side ready to restore cooperation?
— Representatives of the current administration verbally declare their intention to restore political dialogue and trade and economic cooperation with Moscow "as a favorable geopolitical situation develops." However, they are refraining from concrete practical steps, apparently in anticipation of progress in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, as well as in the dialogue between Russia and the United States.
In principle, we welcome the intention of South Korean companies to return to Russia. When the moment for this comes, we will act taking into account all the accompanying circumstances. First of all, we mean ensuring the protection of the interests of the Russian market and the domestic consumer.
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