Conclusions on the Russia-EU foreign trade at the year-end of 2025, included in the new edition of «Monitoring of Russia’s Economic Outlook” No. 3 (208), 2026, were presented in TASS publications. Researchers of the International Trade Department at the Gaidar Institute, presented data demonstrating both a structural decline in Europe's share and growth in certain product categories.
According to TASS, despite the overall increase in sanctions pressure, certain non-energy Russian exports to the EU demonstrated strong growth. For example, shipments of semi-finished steel products reached $1.8 bn, 7% higher than in the previous year. Furthermore, experts recorded a 5% increase in nickel raw material exports (to $0.73 bn), primarily due to pricing factors. Primary aluminum shipments remained virtually flat compared to the previous year, down just 1% to $0.85 bn.
TASS also noted the continuing decline in the EU's importance as a major trading partner. According to monitoring data, the EU's share of Russian exports fell to 7.4%, 1.6 p.p. below the 2024 level. In imports, the share of European goods also fell, reaching 12.0% (-0.4 p.p.). In monetary terms, the EU exports of goods to Russia decreased by 2% to $34 bn.
However, according to Eurostat data, analyzed by the Gaidar Institute experts, the Russian market remains dependent on a number of European goods. The largest import growth was recorded in critical categories: thus, pharmaceuticals grew by 19%, reaching $11 bn.
Shipments of optical and medical devices ($2.6 bn, +12%), organic chemicals ($1.6 bn, +12%), and cocoa products ($ 1.1 bn, +31%) have also increased significantly. Meanwhile, reduction continued in the machinery and equipment (-20%, to $ 2.5 bn) and alcoholic beverages (-22%, to $1.2 bn) segments.
Full version of the “Monitoring of Russia’s Economic Outlook” No.3 (208), 2026 can be found at the following link.