The Russian government is weighing a potential infrastructure payment aimed at supporting Russian Post, a move that would impact marketplaces operating within the country. This development was reported by TASS, citing remarks from Maxim Reshetnikov, the head of Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development. The discussion reflects a broader effort to stabilize a postal service that plays a crucial role in domestic commerce and logistics, especially for regions with limited access or challenging terrain. The proposed payment would be structured to ensure Russian Post retains a reliable revenue stream, enabling it to continue delivering for a growing e-commerce ecosystem that relies on timely and dependable mail and parcel services.
Reshetnikov outlined the essential objective behind any such infrastructure payment: to provide a stable source of income for Russian Post and to help steady the organization’s overall economy. He framed the issue as a matter of strategic finance, where government support could serve as a bridge during a period of volatility in the postal and logistics sector. According to his comments, the state is evaluating two potential paths. In the first scenario, the budget would absorb the obligations, effectively allocating funds to guarantee ongoing operations. In the second, the financial burden would fall on marketplaces themselves, which would face direct costs tied to ensuring reliable delivery networks and service capabilities across the country.
During the discussion, Reshetnikov emphasized the need for a clear plan to accompany any infrastructure payment. He noted that calculations must show what guarantees Russian Post provides in return and how the financial recovery plan would sustain long-term viability. The requirement for a detailed forecast underscores the government’s intent to align compensation with measurable outcomes, ensuring accountability and transparent use of public resources. The dialogue signals a careful approach that weighs the immediate benefits for deliveries against the longer-term health of the postal operator and the broader digital economy that depends on it.
Earlier, Maksut Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development, registered his view on the matter—an indication that senior policymakers are actively engaging with the issue. He acknowledged that marketplaces have expressed reservations about such an infrastructure payment. Yet, he also pointed out that this could be a necessary step to maintain functional delivery services, especially in regions where shipments face logistical hurdles. In parallel, Russian Post described the proposal as a means to extend delivery coverage to remote and underserved parts of the nation, highlighting the potential social and economic benefits of keeping essential services accessible across diverse geographic landscapes.
From the marketplace perspective, the proposal has faced critique. Stakeholders have raised concerns about how a new financial obligation would be structured, who would bear the cost, and what the expected return would look like for online sellers and customers alike. The tension between supporting a national postal operator and safeguarding marketplace economics remains at the center of the debate. Yet, the discussion also reveals a shared recognition that a robust, well-funded postal network can stabilize commerce by ensuring reliable fulfillment, reducing delivery delays, and improving consumer confidence in online shopping across provinces and territories. This alignment of interests suggests that the outcome may hinge on a carefully balanced framework that incentivizes efficiency, transparency, and accountability while protecting the interests of sellers, buyers, and the postal service alike.