As reported TASS with reference to Eurostat, despite sanctions in the first quarter Russia's exports to the EU increased by 47% compared with the same period in 2016 and reached 39.3 billion euros.

The EU has also increased exports to Russia by 28%, to EUR 19.9 billion. Thus traditionally negative trade balance of the EU with Russia has decreased from 11.2 billion euros in the first quarter of 2016 to 19.4 billion euros in the same period of 2017.

Note, after the imposition of sanctions in 2014, Russia lost the lead in three of the key exporters to the EU, shifted from third to fourth place, behind Switzerland. Russia should Turkey, and the first two positions are occupied by USA and China.

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