China is building a new trade route to bypass Russia via Azerbaijan

China plans to increase freight shipments to Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, bypassing Russian territory, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reports.

The route runs through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.

“Logistics along this corridor are considered more complex than transit through Russia, as it combines rail transport, port infrastructure, ferry crossings and complicated customs procedures between several states. However, Beijing and Astana are actively working on this project. The main reasons are Russia’s toxicity, sanctions exposure and unreliability, as well as the desire to reduce dependence on today’s unstable maritime routes,” the agency emphasized.

According to analysts, once the corridor reaches full capacity, Russia could lose its status as a key transit hub between Asia and Europe, resulting in multibillion-dollar losses for its economy.