Russia is preparing for the return of Western companies, according to the Financial Times.

Putin has instructed his government to prepare for the return of Western companies amid the strengthening ties between Russia and the United States.

This is reported by the Financial Times.

The dictator stated that he wants Russian companies to have "certain advantages" over "those returning to our market" as a form of retribution for Western sanctions.

The Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov mentioned that Russia should only allow Western companies into sectors "where there are no risks to the economy," in case "someone wakes up on the wrong side of the bed again."

The publication notes that this indicates Russia is seriously inclined towards the return of Western companies.

According to KSE, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 472 foreign companies have exited the Russian market, and another 1,360 have reduced their presence in the country.

The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, claims that American companies have lost $324 billion due to their exit from the country. According to KSE's estimates, American companies had only $52 billion. Those that left the Russian market between 2021 and 2023 earned merely $36 billion.

According to sources from the Financial Times, currently, several American companies have expressed interest in resuming business in Russia, but none of them has taken any steps towards this yet.

Background. Previously, Mind reported that during negotiations in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Russia discussed future economic cooperation, including global energy prices.