-Record growth in the Russian economy
The Russian economy, despite struggling from oil price declines and imposed sanctions, showed its best performance of the last six years with a growth rate of 2.3 percent in 2018.
The Russian Ministry of Economic Development predicted the Russian economy would grow at 2 percent last year. The country’s economy grew by 1.6 percent in 2017.
-Russia lifts visas for some Turkish citizens
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the abolition of visa requirements for some categories of Turkish citizens.
According to the decree signed by Putin last week, the visa regime was canceled for drivers engaged in international road transport, service passport holders, and entrepreneurs on short-term business trips to Russia.
-Russia's foreign trade surplus exceeds $200 billion
Russia's foreign trade surplus saw a year-on-year increase of 62 percent to $211.6 billion in 2018.
According to data from the Russian Federal Customs Service (FTS), the country's exports rose 25.6 percent to $452.1 billion compared to 2017, while imports increased by 5.1 percent to $240.5 billion.
Over the same period, Russia's total trade volume increased by 17.6 percent to $692.6 billion compared to 2017.
Russia made 87.9 percent of its exports to non-Commonwealth of Independent States (non-CIS) countries, and 89 percent of its imports from non-CIS countries last year.
The share of fuel and energy products in Russia -- one of the largest oil and gas exporters worldwide, increased from 59.3 percent to 63.7 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.
According to the statement issued by the FTS, the country's foreign trade surplus increased by 25.5 percent year on year in 2017 to $130.6 billion.