Russia relies on several countries to avoid Western sanctions - ISW

Russia relies on several countries as part of its efforts to evade Western sanctions. Among them are India, Serbia and the People's Republic of China.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Institute mentions the Financial Times publication of September 4 that the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed a plan to spend almost $1 billion on the security of critical electronic components in October 2022, which reportedly included the possibility of building facilities in India to gain access to such components.

The FT reported that documents in its possession show that Russia was secretly acquiring sensitive dual-use electronics from India with the help of “significant reserves” of Indian rupees accumulated by Russian banks from increased oil sales to India.

The extent to which Russia has implemented this plan remains unclear, although ISW assesses that Russia is involved in a broader effort to evade Western sanctions and procure sanctioned electronic components and equipment through foreign entities.

The ISW also notes that on September 4, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin met with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

Vulin said that Serbia would not impose sanctions against Russia and would not allow its territory to be used for “anti-Russian” actions. Vulin's comment, the Institute's analysts speculate, was partly aimed at deflecting some of Putin's irritation following Serbia's recent purchase of 12 Rafale jets from France in a likely attempt to diversify its arms suppliers away from Russia.

Putin said he hopes to see Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the upcoming BRICS summit in October 2024 in Kazan.

Putin also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on September 4. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin briefed Chinese officials on the results of his recent trip to Mongolia, during which he emphasized the growth of regional trade and cooperation with China and Mongolia.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 05/09/2024