Foreign companies banned from researching the Russian market
On 31 July, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Law on the Fundamentals of State Regulation of Commercial Activities, which introduces requirements for marketing companies researching Russia's commodity markets. The State Duma passed this law in the second and third readings on 15 July. Among other things, it prohibits foreign individuals and entities from conducting research on the Russian consumer market.
08.08.25Foreign investor purchases of Russian assets fall 43%
In the first half of 2025, the volume of purchases of Russian assets by foreign investors decreased 43% against the same period of the previous year to $911 million (8 transactions), the AK&M agency estimates in its bulletin The M&A Market. According to the agency's methodology, such transactions include both purchases of assets in Russia and foreign purchases of stakes in Russian entities, where the buyer is a foreign investor. In cases where the transaction value was not disclosed, valuations are given on the basis of multipliers applied to the companies' financial indicators.
04.08.25Finance Ministry will revise bill on additional tax payments for subsidiaries of foreign parent companies
The draft law introducing a 15% minimum level of taxation on the profits of multinational holding companies will be reworked in the autumn, but it will certainly be completed, Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov told on a conference of the Association of European Businesses.
04.08.25Bank of Russia allows new "unfriendly" investors to buy foreign currency
The Bank of Russia has lifted restrictions on the purchase of foreign currency on the domestic market by foreign investors from "unfriendly" countries who come to the Russian market and invest under the new rules. This was announced by the regulator on 1 August. "Conversion operations on "In" type accounts. . . will be carried out in the domestic foreign exchange market without restrictions," the decision of the Central Bank's Board of Directors reads.
04.08.25Kimberly-Clark ceases production of Kleenex paper products in Russia
US hygiene products manufacturer Kimberly-Clark has stopped producing Kleenex-branded paper products at its Russian plant, Syktyvkar Tissue Group JSC (STG), Vedomosti reports, citing Kimberly-Clark LLC's 2024 financial statements (signed in July 2025).
30.07.25Regulator bans sale of four Chinese truck makes in Russia
The Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) has banned the sale in Russia of a number of Chinese-made Dongfeng, Foton, FAW and Sitrak trucks. In its announcement, Rosstandart referred to a protective clause in the Customs Union's Technical Regulation on Wheeled Vehicle Safety.
30.07.25No official support for a 35% profit tax for foreign businesses that left Russia
The government failed to support a bill to introduce a 35% profit tax for foreign companies that left Russia which would be payable when they return. The bill was introduced last spring by a group of lawmakers led by Sergei Mironov, chairman of the Just Russia – For Truth party. "The relevant federal ministries considered that the introduction of tax and duty rates, as well as benefits on such payments, depending on the taxpayer's country of origin is discriminatory," Kommersant writes, citing the government's opinion on the initiative. The standard income tax rate in Russia starting in 2025 is 25%.
30.07.2546% fewer foreign brands enter Russia in first six months
In the first half of 2025, seven international brands entered Russia's retail market, which is 46% down from the same period last year according to a report by IBC Real Estate consulting firm. "Foreign brands are slowing their expansion," the company stated. Four international brands entered the Russian market in the second quarter – Turkish fashion brand Les Benjamins, Italian sporting goods brand Kappa, Belarusian clothing brand Mua, and Italian clothing and accessories brand Doucal's, business news magazine Shopper's notes.
26.07.25Retailer X5 stops buying certain Mars products
The Pyaterochka and Perekrestok chains, part of Russia's largest retailer, X5, have stopped buying certain products manufactured by the Russian subsidiary of Mars, a U.S. corporation. This was reported by RBC on 24 July, citing a source close to X5. The shipments, the source said, had actually stopped as of Wednesday 23 July. X5's press service confirmed this decision. According to X5, the reason is that the conditions offered by the supplier do not conform to the "principles of fair pricing".
26.07.25Finance Ministry reports foreign companies in Russia are applying to increase their charter capital
About a dozen Russian subsidiaries of foreign companies have submitted applications to a subcommittee of the government commission for oversight over foreign investments to be allowed to increase their charter capital. This was reported by Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseyev in an interview with TASS.
