International trade with Russia boomed this year, despite the so-called “sanctions” many countries imposed after the Ukraine invasion.

International trade with Russia boomed this year, despite the so-called “sanctions” many countries imposed after the Ukraine invasion.

Countries vowed to sever economic ties with Russia and imposed sanctions that were intended to cripple its economy after it invaded Ukraine… But as one of the world’s most important producers of oil, gas and raw materials, Russia has had longstanding and lucrative trade partnerships. Breaking those ties is not easy.

Though the volume of its imports has plunged, as sanctions and trade limits went into effect, a few countries, including China and Turkey, have deepened their relationships with Russia since the war began. That has led to a frustrating reality for Western officials who had hoped to undercut Russia’s war effort by punishing its economy: The value of its exports actually grew after it invaded Ukraine.

So what’s next?

Many analysts claim that Russia’s ample trade, and the war chest it has generated, could start to dwindle in the next year as more sanctions bite…

Will it?

As long as the major players , China, India, Turkey and others , are remaining outside the sanctions game , it will NOT.