"Shifting Sands of Trade: How EU-Russia and Belarus Commerce Evolved Over Three Years"

Over the past three years, the trade dynamics between the European Union (EU) countries, Russia, and Belarus have undergone significant changes, navigating through a complex geopolitical landscape. Despite the turbulent ties, resulting from the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU's annual trade turnover with Russia and Belarus still accounts for tens of billions of euros. This article delves into the nuances of these trade relationships, exploring the beneficiaries of continued commerce, the variety of goods in demand, and the political undercurrents influencing cross-border transactions.

On the borders between Poland and its eastern neighbors, an unusual series of events unfolds. Polish protestors are seen obstructing transport links to Ukraine, highlighting the strained relations and complex trade dynamics in the region. Concurrently, Ukrainian journalists encounter difficulties in documenting the flow of goods across the Polish-Russian and Polish-Belarusian borders, pointing to a broader narrative of obfuscation and controversy surrounding EU's eastern trade routes.

In collaboration with the German analytics firm MCI, NV Business has scrutinized the EU's external economic statistics from 2021 to 2023 to unravel the transformations in trade patterns with Russia and Belarus in the aftermath of geopolitical upheavals. This investigation aims to shed light on who gains the most from these trading activities and which products remain in high demand amidst a backdrop of political tensions and economic sanctions.

The landscape of EU trade with Russia and Belarus is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of economic systems in the face of political challenges. As the EU navigates its complex relationship with these eastern neighbors, the unfolding story of trade, politics, and protests on the ground offers a vivid snapshot of the intertwined nature of economics and geopolitics in the region.