Part 3/10:
The landscape of technology in Russia has been notably affected by Western sanctions, particularly following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Despite measures towards import substitution, the sanctions have hindered access to essential technologies, including semiconductor chips crucial for AI applications. Nevertheless, recent statements from Russian officials indicate that they perceive their technological gap compared to China and the U.S. to be as little as six months. This context amplifies the importance of the partnership with China, as it allows Russia to access and develop advanced AI capabilities without Western interference.