While some foreign companies are leaving the market, Russian government considers the possibility to fill the market with products by allowing parallel import.
Previously parallel import was prohibited (up to 5 million rubles penalty and dump of imported goods). This allowed the brand owners to appoint exclusive distributers, to control the market and to provide high quality after-sale services.
The legitimacy of parallel import will allow anybody to buy an original product abroad, import and sell it in Russia without the permission of the trademark holder. Parallel import is legal in some countries (for example, in Japan).
However previously the idea was to allow all parallel import, currently Russian government considers the possibility to allow the parallel import of the brands that left the Russian market or suspended operations only. The list of brands that can be imported without the permission of the trademark owner is under discussion.
It is expected that this measure shall support Russian market, economy and consumers. However, the brands in the list will lose control over the market, the market will become chaotic, and the percentage of counterfeited goods will increase.