Since the West imposed unprecedented economic pressure on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country's trade practices have undergone a dramatic transformation, with Russian international trade increasingly occurring in the shadows. Access to the goods it needs now depends on constant scheming. Given that Russia operates under informal rules, this shift comes naturally.
Understanding this—and, particularly, the role of Russia's new patron, China—could help ensure that pressure on Russia's war economy is applied most effectively.…
The remainder of this commentary is available at kyivindependent.com.
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