News
A Baikal Communications Group Expert on the Transformation of Legal Practice in the New Regulatory Environment
The Law supplement of Rossiyskaya Gazeta has published an authored article by Laura Mollaeva, Head of the Strategy and Product Development Group at Baikal Communications Group, devoted to changes in the architecture of legal practice and the growing role of GR consultants in corporate decision-making systems.
The article analyzes how, in recent years, the operating logic of the legal function has evolved—from traditional legal expertise to a multifactor analysis that takes into account regulatory, sanctions-related, industry-specific, and geo-economic dynamics. Today, legal positions are formed not in isolation from the external environment, but in direct connection with state priorities, enforcement trajectories, and the political and economic context.
Special attention is given to four key areas that increasingly accompany legal work: enhanced regulatory monitoring with analysis of the drivers and consequences of regulatory change; sanctions and geo-economic analysis; scenario-based modelling of regulatory risks and forecasting of regulatory developments; and crisis and anti-crisis communications in the digital environment.
The publication emphasizes that synergy between legal and GR functions is no longer an optional add-on, but a necessary element of a sustainable corporate strategy. Lawyers establish the legal framework for decision-making, while GR professionals provide navigation within a complex system of regulatory processes and government interaction, enabling a shift from ad hoc support to a long-term, strategic approach.
The full text of the article is available on the website of Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
THE HIGH-BASE EFFECT: IMPLICATIONS OF THE PHASE-OUT OF LARGE-SCALE STATE SUPPORT FOR THE AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
An expert article by Valery Afanasyev, Director of the Government Relations and Regulatory Risk Assessment Practice at Baikal Communications Group, has been published on the website of the industry media outlet Agroinvestor. The article examines changes in the model of state support for the agro-industrial complex (AIC) and their implications for business. Prepared specifically for the publication, the material analyzes the sector’s transition from a period of record-level budgetary injections to a more restrained and targeted financing policy.
The article notes that following peak levels of government support in 2023–2024, the agro-industrial complex is, for the first time in a long period, entering a phase of reduced budgetary allocations. This shift is driven by budgetary constraints, a high key interest rate, and declining export revenues. Under these conditions, public policy is moving away from expanding subsidy volumes toward improving the efficiency, targeting, and controllability of support measures.
Particular attention is paid to funding trends in key government programs, including the State Program for the Development of Agriculture, the Integrated Rural Development Program, and the Land Reclamation Development Program. The author demonstrates that even where significant absolute funding levels are maintained, the “high-base effect” creates a market perception of declining support, while competition among companies increasingly unfolds not only for markets but also for access to public resources.
The article provides a detailed analysis of changes in preferential lending mechanisms, the rising cost of borrowed funds, and the tightening of banks’ approaches to the agricultural sector. These factors increase the financial burden on producers and elevate the importance of non-financial resilience instruments, ranging from regulatory adaptation to strategic planning of engagement with public authorities.
A separate section of the article addresses the reasons behind adjustments to budgetary policy, including changes in the revenue structure, reduced proceeds from export duties, and a shift toward stricter control over public spending. The author emphasizes that the state is increasingly prioritizing support for key areas such as breeding and genetics, digitalization, technological development, and workforce capacity building within the sector.
In conclusion, Valery Afanasyev notes that amid declining direct financial support and a more complex regulatory environment, the role of the government relations (GR) function for agribusiness is becoming significantly more important. Companies’ ability to establish a structured dialogue with regulators, participate in rulemaking, and substantiate the relevance of their projects to national priorities is emerging as a critical factor for sustainability and long-term development of the agro-industrial complex.
For further details, see the Agroinvestor article.
The EEC Council Approves Amendments to the Rules for the Registration and Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products
According to Vyacheslav Kharitonov, Regulatory Risk Assessment Expert at Baikal Communications Group, the amendments to the rules governing the registration and expert evaluation of medicinal products adopted by the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission are aimed at strengthening trust in the supranational regulatory framework and safeguarding applicants’ sensitive information. Read more…
A case championship on GR and lobbying «GRanitsa Vliyaniya» was held in Moscow
On 5 December, the GR and lobbying case championship «GRanitsa Vliyaniya», supported by Baikal Communications Group as an official partner, concluded its work. The event was aimed at developing students’ practical skills at the intersection of public policy, corporate governance, and regulatory affairs. Read more…
Experts from Baikal Communications Group Analyze Key Changes in the Regulation of the Dietary Supplements Market in 2025
Experts of Baikal Communications Group — Valery Afanasyev, Head of the Government Relations and Regulatory Risk Assessment Practice, and Zhanna Logacheva, Expert of the same practice — have prepared an analytical overview of the transformation of the regulatory framework governing the dietary supplements (biologically active additives, BAA) market in Russia in 2025. The publication was released on the Retail.ru platform and focuses on the key legislative changes and their impact on the industry. Read more…
REPRESENTATIVES OF BAIKAL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP NAMED AMONG THE “BEST RUSSIAN LAWYERS – 2025”
Eduard Voytenko, CEO of Baikal Communications Group, PhD in Political Science, and Valery Afanasyev, Head of the GR and Regulatory Risk Assessment Practice, have been included in the third annual “Lawyers and Law Firms Ranking – 2025” published by Rossiyskaya Gazeta. They were recognized in two First-Tier nominations:
- GR / Government Relations, and
- Lawyers as Public Educators.
The GR / Government relations nomination was introduced in the ranking for the first time this year, and representatives of Baikal Communications Group immediately entered its top, First Tier.
The ranking includes 22 nominations, within which professionals are categorized into several tiers. The First Tier brings together the most authoritative and highly regarded experts in their respective fields. Inclusion in this tier confirms a high level of professional expertise, a strong business reputation, and a significant contribution to the development of the legal and public policy industries. The ranking is individual-based, indicating the specific professionals, their companies, and positions at the time of submission.
For Baikal Communications Group, recognition in two First-Tier nominations represents an important mark of trust from the professional community and highlights the Company’s contribution to the development of best practices in the fields of GR and lobbying.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the organizers of the study and the ranking jury for their high evaluation, and to our clients and partners for their continued trust and cooperation on complex and strategically important projects.
The special issue of Rossiyskaya Gazeta dedicated to the Ranking and the legal results of 2025 is available via the official publication.
Baikal Communications Group continues to systematically enhance its expertise in legal consulting, GR, and lobbying, contributing to the development of a professional environment for constructive dialogue between business, government, and society.
The Baikal Lake Foundation Joins the Working Groups Preparing the World Water Forum
The Baikal Lake Foundation has been invited to participate in two working groups tasked with preparing the World Water Forum, the largest global event in the field of water policy, held every three years. The Forum brings together states, international organizations, the scientific community, and the private sector to shape the strategic agenda for water resources management. Read more…
The Baikal Lake Foundation Participated in the Key Climate Summit of the Year — COP30
The Baikal Lake Foundation, established by Baikal Communications Group, took part in the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil. The summit became one of the principal international events of the year in the field of climate policy. It set the direction for the global climate agenda for the next decade and outlined strategic benchmarks for governments, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society. Read more…
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION HAS APPROVED THE RULES FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING OF REGIONAL PROCUREMENT OF ORPHAN MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
According to Valery Afanasyev, Director for Government Relations and Regulatory Risk Assessment at Baikal Communications Group, the Resolution establishes two mandatory criteria. First, the level of calculated budgetary sufficiency must not exceed 0.65 — meaning the region must be classified as subsidized. As of 2024, there were thirty-one such regions in Russia. Second, the constituent entity of the Russian Federation must allocate at least ten percent more funds for financing the procurement of these medicinal products compared to the previous year. Among the optional additional criteria are either an increase in the cost of the medicinal products by no less than twenty percent or an increase in the number of patients in the region by no less than fifteen percent.
The Government of the Russian Federation has approved the rules and eligibility criteria for receiving additional federal co-financing for the procurement of high-cost orphan medicinal products. Resolution No. 1807 of 15 November 2025, signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, will enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The regulatory act establishes a mechanism through which regional authorities may formally confirm that they are objectively unable to fulfill their obligations to provide medicinal support to patients with the diseases listed in Government Resolution No. 403 of 26 April 2012.
Applications for subsidies may be submitted annually by the heads of regional authorities from 1 August to 30 September. The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation will review the applications within ten business days. In the event of a refusal — for example, due to non-compliance with the criteria or an incomplete set of documents — the region may resubmit the application.
According to Valery Afanasyev, after the adoption of Federal Law No. 252-FZ of 23 July 2025, a number of issues remained unresolved, particularly those related to the application procedure and the eligibility criteria for subsidies. The adopted Resolution clarifies that, to submit an application, a region must meet at least three criteria, two of which are mandatory.
More details are available in the Pharmvestnik report.
AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY EXPANDS ITS REACH: WILL ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MEASURES BOOST EXPORT SHIPMENTS ABROAD?
Vyacheslav Kharitonov, Regulatory Risk Assessment Practice Expert at Baikal Communications Group, notes that the key impediments to the growth of exports of domestically manufactured agricultural machinery continue to be unfavorable “rules of the game,” namely: the level of the Bank of Russia’s key interest rate, reductions in state support measures, as well as increased tariff and non-tariff pressure on agricultural exporters. According to him, declining profitability among agricultural producers and the weakening of domestic demand significantly restrict the export potential of agricultural machinery manufacturers, despite support measures enacted since 2017. At the same time, the stability of Russian manufacturers is primarily grounded in the domestic market, which accounts for the overwhelming majority of agricultural machinery sales. Read more…
BAIKAL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP PRESENTED A COP 30 OVERVIEW AT THE AMCHAM CONFERENCE
The joint conference of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and the Pacific–Eurasian Business Alliance was held on October 28, 2025, under the theme “Business Resilience – Societal Resilience.”
The event brought together representatives of international companies, the expert community, and civil society organizations to discuss sustainable development practices and the impact of the global ESG agenda on business processes.
Anastasia Tsvetkova, Partner for International Communications and CSR Practice at Baikal Communications Group and Chief Executive Officer of the “Lake Baikal” Foundation, participated in the conference. Within the session “Global Goals and Local Solutions: Sustainable Development on the Threshold of 2030,” she delivered a presentation titled “COP 2025: Key Themes and Expectations.”
During the discussion, Ms. Tsvetkova emphasized that COP 30 marks several significant milestones: 30 years of climate negotiations within the UNFCCC framework, the 20th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. While COP 29 entered history as a financial summit, having resulted in an agreement on climate finance of at least USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035, COP 30 is expected to be a turning point focused on resource allocation and the mechanisms for implementing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
From November 10 to 21, 2025, heads of state, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society representatives will convene in Belém, Brazil, to develop measures to protect populations and ecosystems from the impacts of climate change and to establish transparent and equitable indicators for assessing progress on adaptation. The host country intends to pay particular attention to the ecosystem services of the Amazon, the development of the bioeconomy for mitigation and adaptation, and structural solutions to counter disinformation and climate change denial. Another important focus of COP 30 will be NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). Although NDCs are not negotiated directly at COP, Brazil anticipates that countries will present updated commitments aligned with the 1.5°C target.
In her remarks, Ms. Tsvetkova also addressed the role of water as a central element of climate solutions, highlighting the contribution of freshwater systems to achieving the Paris Agreement goals. The discussion underscored the importance of the Lake Baikal Foundation’s participation in the Water for Climate Pavilion at COP 30 and its role in preparing an expert session on inland freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers, wetlands), which serve as a point of synergy among the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD) in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable land use development.
Baikal Communications Group continues to consistently advance its expertise in sustainable development and national strategic priorities, fostering a professional environment conducive to constructive dialogue among business, government, and society.
Score-Based Localization Assessment to Be Introduced for a Number of Medical Devices
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation has proposed the introduction of a score-based system for assessing the level of production localization for certain medical devices and rehabilitation equipment. The corresponding draft government decree has been published for public consultation and concerns amendments to Government Resolution No. 719. The new rules provide for the allocation of scores to technological operations and materials, as well as the establishment of minimum annual localization thresholds. The system is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026. Read more…
Eduard Voytenko Speaks at the GR Seminar of the Center for Eurasian Cooperation
Eduard Voytenko, Ph.D. in Political Science and Chief Executive Officer of Baikal Communications Group, delivered a presentation at the GR Seminar of the Center for Eurasian Cooperation entitled “Strategic Communications with Government Authorities: Practical Aspects of Interaction.” Read more…
Ministry of Natural Resources Proposes Tenfold Increase in Industrial Water Abstraction Fees
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation has proposed a tenfold increase in the rates for water abstraction from federally owned water bodies, starting in 2026. The initiative was commented on by Zhanna Logacheva, an expert in government relations and regulatory risk assessment at Baikal Communications Group, in an interview with Mashnews.ru. Read more…
16TH GRADUATE COURSE «GR AND LOBBYING IN BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT SECTOR»
From October 13 to 18, 2025, MGIMO hosted the training for the sixteenth cohort of participants in the advanced training program “Government Relations and Lobbying in Business and Non-Profit Organizations,” implemented by Baikal Communications Group in cooperation with the MGIMO School of Business and International Competencies. Read more…
EEC to Update Pharmaceutical Registration Rules in the EAEU
As noted by Valery Afanasyev, Director of the GR and Regulatory Risk Assessment Practice at Baikal Communications Group, the amendments approved by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) are aimed at harmonizing pharmaceutical registration procedures within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and enhancing transparency in regulatory processes.
“Applicants will have the opportunity to request the exclusion of confidential information from expert reports. Additionally, clear timelines and procedures for dossier review have been established, and document submission requirements have been standardized,” the expert emphasized.
The Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has approved the draft decision “On Amendments to the Rules for Registration and Expertise of Medicinal Products for Medical Use.” The directive No. 148 dated October 14, 2025, has been published on the EAEU legal portal.
The document aims to update the regulatory framework governing the circulation of medicinal products in the EAEU single market, including clarifications on the interaction between national competent authorities and expert organizations. The updated rules are expected to reduce the timelines for assessment of registration dossiers and strengthen trust between regulators and pharmaceutical market participants.
Further details are available in the article by Pharmvestnik
ESG Transformation at MGIMO: From Strategy to Sustainable Development Practice
From October 6 to 10, 2025, the MGIMO School of Business and International Competencies hosted a professional development program entitled “Business Management Based on ESG Principles.” The educational initiative was developed in collaboration with Baikal Communications Group and is aimed at integrating sustainable development principles into corporate management strategies. Read more…
The Ministry of Health Establishes New Rules for Interaction Between Healthcare Professionals and Dietary Supplement Manufacturers
The Government of the Russian Federation has incorporated requirements related to the prescription of dietary supplements (DS) into the scope of state control (supervision). Resolution No. 1560 dated October 8, 2025, was published on the Legal Information Portal. Valery Afanasyev, Director of Regulatory Risk Assessment Practice at Baikal Communications Group, commented on the changes to Pharmvestnik. Read more…
The Ministry of Health Introduces New Requirements for Medical and Pharmaceutical Education
The Russian Ministry of Health has prepared a draft resolution requiring educational institutions that offer programs in medical and pharmaceutical specialties to obtain a mandatory conclusion from Roszdravnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare). The document establishes the procedure for issuing such conclusions, evaluation criteria, grounds for refusal, and regulates the electronic submission of applications through the State Services portal. Decisions on issuing conclusions must be made within 25 working days. The public discussion of the draft will continue until October 23, 2025, and the resolution is scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2026. Read more…
Eduard Voytenko conducted a training session on Government Relations and lobbying for the top management of “Soglasie” Insurance Company
Eduard Voytenko, PhD in Political Science and Chief Executive Officer of Baikal Communications Group, conducted a corporate training session for the senior management of the insurance company Soglasie. The event focused on contemporary approaches to Government Relations (GR) and lobbying practices within the Russian regulatory and institutional framework. Read more…
