moscow Investment Forum Ended Without Results: Not a Single Deal Despite the Participation of 33 Countries

The “russia Calling!” investment forum (with the participation of russian officials, financiers, and entrepreneurs, as well as delegations from 33 countries, including China, India, the UAE, Iran, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia) has ended in russia. The event was intended to demonstrate the russian economy’s ability to attract capital and emphasize the “financial sovereignty” declared by the kremlin.

Although the forum was presented as a large-scale international platform, the speeches of the russian leadership were largely reduced to statements about “full adaptation to sanctions” and the transition to “sustainable growth”. These statements contrasted with the actual challenges that the russian economy continues to face: stagnation, structural imbalances, pressure from sanctions, reorientation of resources to the military-industrial complex, and a shrinking investment base.

The most noticeable sign of the lack of interest among foreign participants was that, following the forum, russia did not announce the signing of any intergovernmental agreements. This contrasts sharply with the kremlin’s stated ambitions and indicates the limited real economic result.

The forum de facto became another tool for domestic political propaganda, designed to create an impression of “stability” and “investment attractiveness”. At the same time, the absence of any agreements confirmed that, despite the demonstrative international presence, investors are not ready to trust the statements of russian authorities and expose themselves to increased political and sanctions risks.