Anton Kobyaev, a Russian presidential advisor
Anton Kobyaev, a Russian presidential advisor, stated that Western businesses may return to Russia only under pragmatic partnerships involving technology transfer, with conditions including joint ventures, capital-intensive processing, and equal scientific collaboration. He emphasized Russia's shift from component assembly to advanced cooperation and noted growing interest from European companies despite political pressures.
Consensus
- Western businesses can return to Russia only under pragmatic partnership conditions.
- Russia requires the transfer of necessary technologies for any return of Western business.
- Russia is no longer interested in 'screwdriver assembly' of Western products.
- Russia has developed viable alternatives on the Eastern side.
- Conducting joint ventures and concession agreements are possible cooperation formats.
- Russia is open to inviting Western specialists needed by the country.
- Russia is willing to collaborate on complex, capital-intensive processing.
- Russia is ready for equal, win-win cooperation in fundamental and applied science.
- The Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok from September 1–4, 2025.
- President Vladimir Putin will make significant statements at the forum.
- Many Western companies are considering returning to Russia.
- European companies continue to interact with Russia despite political rhetoric.
Points of divergence
- The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham) head Robert Egey said in June that many U.S. companies considering returning to Russia await U.S. government approval. — vedomosti
- In December 2025, the AmCham head said U.S. business losses due to sanctions and Russian countermeasures totaled $100 billion in direct damage and nearly $300 billion in total losses. — vedomosti
- On September 5, 2025, President Putin said many foreign companies left Russia with massive losses and that some are waiting for political restrictions to disappear. — vm
- Kobyaev stated that businessmen from all European countries continue interaction with Russia, naming Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Greece, the UK, Switzerland, and Spain as examples. — m24
- Kobyaev claimed that some Americans are either obtaining second citizenship or have already become Russian citizens. — m24
- Kobyaev said European banks block accounts of companies continuing work with Russia, and some are denied state support or threatened with business problems. — m24
- Kobyaev said politicians in some Russophobic countries privately say the opposite of their public declarations. — m24
Coverage (6 sources)
- Kobyakov listed conditions for the return of Western business to Russia — Ведомости
- Kobyakov: Western brands may return to Russia with pragmatic partnership — Вечерняя Москва
- Return of Western business in Russia should be viewed from the perspective of pragmatic partnership and transfer of needed technologies... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Kobyakov said under what conditions Western business can return to Russia — Коммерсантъ
- Return of Western business in Russia should be viewed from the perspective of pragmatic partnership and transfer of needed technologies... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Kobyakov named conditions for return of Western business to Russia — Москва 24
Key entities
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