Trends and characteristics of the trade structure between Russia and Croatia in the context of geopolitical tensions in 2022–2024

Aim . The work aimed to assess the impact of the economic sanctions of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the European Union, EU) on the volume and structure of trade between Russia and Croatia in 2022–2024. Objectives . The work seeks to analyze the trends of key indicators of Russian-Croatian trade under sanctions; to identify the main product groups in the structure of trade between them; to determine the significance of mechanical engineering and chemical products in trade interactions between the two countries. Methods . The study employed such research methods as statistical data analysis, description and graphical modeling. Results . The results obtained in the course of the statistical analysis indicated a significant reduction in volumes and a change in the structure of mutual trade between the Russian Federation (RF) and Croatia under numerous trade restrictions from the European Union. Economic sanctions had a greater impact on the exchange of goods between the countries in question in the products of the mechanical engineering sector. In 2024, the bulk of Russian-Croatian trade turnover constituted chemical industry products. Conclusions . The current global geopolitical situation has determined negative trends in trade interactions between Russia and Croatia. Trade restrictions imposed by the European Union have incurred negative consequences on Russian-Croatian relations, reducing the range of goods in the structure of their mutual trade. European Union economic sanctions were mainly applied to export-import transactions related to mechanical engineering products. As a result, in the period analyzed, the exchange of mechanical engineering products between Russia and Croatia approached the minimum volumes, while chemical product supplies retained their importance in their mutual trade.