Russia’s Imports Shift Towards Rubles: A Historic Milestone

Russia has taken a major step towards financial independence, with over half of its imports now settled in rubles. This significant shift marks a historical turning point for the country as it navigates Western sanctions and strives for greater economic autonomy within the BRICS bloc. The Central Bank reports that this record-breaking proportion of payments was reached in February 2025, exceeding previous figures and signaling an ongoing dedollarization strategy. This trend sees Russia redirecting trade towards partners deemed ‘friendly’ – primarily Asian and Latin American nations.