Relationship dossier
Russia
Singapore
Relationship assessment
Economic engagement has been overshadowed by opposing policies over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia toward Singapore
-25Russia placed Singapore on its list of states taking unfriendly actions in 2022, following Singapore's measures against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. The scope of other Russian government actions specifically affecting Singapore is unclear.
Singapore toward Russia
-40Singapore imposed financial measures and export controls targeting Russia in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and supported international condemnation of the invasion. These actions marked a significant deterioration in bilateral relations.
Overall relationship
-30The relationship combines longstanding economic engagement, including a 2019 trade agreement involving the Eurasian Economic Union, with a sharp political rupture after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Singapore's restrictive measures and Russia's designation of Singapore as an unfriendly state are the principal features shaping the current bilateral structure.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Russia and Singapore have maintained economic and diplomatic engagement, including a 2019 Eurasian Economic Union–Singapore free trade agreement. Relations became substantially more adversarial after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine: Singapore imposed financial measures and export controls targeting Russia, while Russia placed Singapore on its list of states taking unfriendly actions. The scope and practical effects of earlier economic arrangements are unclear.
Areas of tension
- Singapore's financial measures and export controls targeting Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
- Russia's designation of Singapore as a state taking unfriendly actions.
Key developments
The Eurasian Economic Union and Singapore signed a free trade agreement.
Singapore announced financial measures and export controls targeting Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia included Singapore on its list of states taking unfriendly actions.
Major uncertainties
- The extent to which the 2019 Eurasian Economic Union–Singapore trade agreement has been implemented is unclear.
- The current scope and practical effects of Singapore's financial measures and export controls are uncertain.