Russian Federation: Drivers and Challenges of Economic Growth and Development

The challenges for the Russian Federation development have been studied in the article by examining the role of the country in the international merchandise trade, trade in services and FDI flows; the evolution of Russian trade patterns by geographical structure and by industries; the compositionof Russian outward and inward FDI. The drivers for sustainable economic development of the Russian Federation have been revealed as well as the main hindrances that may impede a stable economic growth.