Development of AI regulations in Russia

Russia is developing a legal framework to regulate artificial intelligence and experts say there is no immediate need for comprehensive regulation. Instead, it is sufficient to focus on improving ethical and technical standards to set boundaries for developers and users of AI technologies.

Payment agent for cross-border settlements. Check-list before entering into a contract.

Customary settlement routes with some foreign counterparties are no longer available. Many companies have begun to engage payment agents. Payment agents are intermediaries who help businesses organise settlements with foreign partners when direct payments are impeded due to sanctions or complicated banking conditions. Thanks to this, entrepreneurs do not lose contracts and continue to work on the international market. However, certain risks may arise.

To learn more what risks should be taken into account in this process due to various issues in the area of legal regulation (tax, customs, and currency control) please read our article in Corporate Counsel Magazine.

E-commerce in Russia: what foreign business needs to know

With extensive internet penetration reaching about 88%, development of e-commerce is one of Russia’s key strategic initiatives, currently accounting for about 4.6% of GDP. In 2020, despite overall economic downturn, the pandemic spurred a substantial increase in online shopping across the country, extending even to Russia’s most remote regions. The e-commerce market remains diverse, offering opportunities for businesses across a broad range of products to find their niche.

To learn more about Russia’s e-commerce market, please read our article for Asia Business Law Journal.

Construction, infrastructure issues in Russia’s auto sector

Since 2022, various restrictions imposed by the US, EU, UK, Japan and several other jurisdictions on a wide range of investment activities in Russia have led many Western manufacturers to withdraw from the Russian market, either by selling their businesses to local entities or by placing them in “dormant” mode. This has impacted most sectors of the Russian economy, including automotive, where foreign producers have historically played a key role. Under these circumstances, Asian car manufacturers may find new market opportunities for themselves in the Russian automotive sector.

To learn more about Russia’s auto sector, opportunities and challenges faced by Asian carmakers for localization in Russia please read our article for Asia Business Law Journal.

Overview, trends of M&A market in Russia

In 2023, the Russian M&A market showed a general decrease in both the number and average value of transactions, which generally correlates with the global M&A market. Key economic factors affecting the Russian M&A market are high inflation rates and currency fluctuations. In addition to the economic factors, it continues to be driven by the geopolitical agenda and suffers from a lack of inbound foreign investment. Nevertheless, the M&A market has been slowly recovering and as it is expected that in 2024, the number of M&A transactions will continue to grow.

To learn more about the Russian M&A market, its key trends, legal and regulatory issues as well as M&A outlook please read our article prepared for Asia Business Law Journal.

Strategies for business structuring in Russia

Due to global geopolitical events taking place since 2022, international companies operating in Russia face challenges associated with sanctions compliance. At the same time, in response to foreign sanctions, the Russian authorities have adopted a special set of “countersanctions” measures. In such circumstances, international groups adopt their strategies with respect to the Russian market.

To learn more about these strategies please read our comprehensive analysis prepared for the Asia Business Law Journal’s new Japan Outbound Investment Guide.

Experiment requiring importers to ensure the recycling of waste from using goods

As of 1 January 2026, importers of goods will be obliged to pay the environmental fee in advance prior to the customs clearance not under the general procedure.

In the new AEB Business Quarterly Magazine article, Dmitriy Bogdanov, head of ESG practice at SEAMLESS Legal, explores the draft of the Russian Government decree which approves the procedure for conducting the experiment for assessing the effectiveness of the new mechanism before the relevant provisions begin to apply in full.