EU adopts 19th sanctions package but fails to agree on frozen Russian assets
On 23 October, the European Union adopted the 19th sanctions package against Russia.
State Council investment committee mulls criteria for foreign companies' return to Russia
The principles governing the return to the Russian market of foreign companies that left the country after 2022 $ were discussed$ at a meeting of the State Council's investment committee.
12 foreign brands enter Russian market since January
In the first three quarters of 2025, 12 foreign brands, including brands from Europe and the United States, entered the Russian market, according to analytics by Commonwealth Partnership (CMWP) consulting company.
Government approves bill tightening oversight over foreign investment
The government commission on legislative activity has supported amendments by the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) to the $ Law$ on Foreign Investment in Businesses of Strategic Importance for National Defence and State Security, as well as respective amendments to laws on subsoil resources, competition protection, and natural monopolies. This was reported by RBC.
Moscow Exchange to launch "In" accounts for foreign investors in December
The National Clearing Centre (NCC, part of the Moscow Exchange Group) gave a presentation for banks and brokers on 24 October to unveil the workings and launch date of "In" accounts, which were introduced by presidential decree. This was reported by RBC Investments, citing the NCC documents and financial market sources.
Moscow Exchange announces start of registration of "In" accounts for foreign investors
Starting 8 December 2025, foreign investors will be able to open "In" accounts with Russian professional Moscow Exchange participants. This was announced by the trading platform on 2 December.
European Commission presents proposals for granting Ukraine a "reparations loan" using Russian reserves
On 3 December, the European Commission (EC) officially proposed to EU member states two options for financing Ukraine in the coming years: raising funds on the financial market under the guarantee of the European budget, and issuing a "reparations loan" using Russian sovereign assets frozen in the EU. The EC considers the second option to be the prime one. "We propose to create a reparations loan using cash balances from immobilised Russian assets in the EU," said EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
Presidential representative Titov says foreign companies "miss Moscow"
Some foreign companies that are not directly affected by Western sanctions may begin returning to Russia, as they were initially forced to leave due to public pressure in their own countries, Boris Titov, the president's special representative for relations with international organisations, said on Radio RBC. He believed that expiring options to repurchase previously sold assets may also encourage them to return.
Scenarios for the return of Western businesses to Russia
In late spring, amendments initially attributed to the State Duma Property Committee caused a stir: they concerned the right of Russian companies or government agencies to deny foreign investors their options to buy back Russian businesses sold after February 2022. Independent lawyers criticised the draft as "state interference in private interests."
How Russia may respond to EU plans to use its frozen assets
Russia intends to provide a "symmetrical response" to the confiscation ("quasi-confiscation") or other use of its sovereign assets blocked in Europe. This, however, is likely to require the passage of a separate law. Current statutes do not totally allow foreign assets in Russia belonging to residents of "unfriendly" countries to be nationalised.
US peace plan makes Western companies' return to Russia possible
The American media has published a draft plan prepared by the administration of US President Donald Trump to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Its translation into Russian is available in an RBC publication.
European Commission presents proposals for granting Ukraine a "reparations loan" using Russian reserves
On 3 December, the European Commission (EC) officially proposed to EU member states two options for financing Ukraine in the coming years: raising funds on the financial market under the guarantee of the European budget, and issuing a "reparations loan" using Russian sovereign assets frozen in the EU. The EC considers the second option to be the prime one. "We propose to create a reparations loan using cash balances from immobilised Russian assets in the EU," said EC President Ursula von der Leyen.