British businesses could lose out on large contracts if the international dispute between the UK and Russia escalates, according to one expert.
Small and medium-sized businesses could be among those falling victim to more intense tax and regulatory scrutiny when dealing with Russia, says Alexander Shokhin, president of the Union of Industrialist and Entrepreneurs (UIE).
Mr Shokhin also suggested that the floatation of some Russian companies on the London Stock Exchange could also be pulled if the political row continues to escalate.
"If events develop . . . Britain's trading floors traditionally favoured by Russian companies, including state-run companies, would start losing ground," The Telegraph quotes him as saying.
"Perhaps under broadly equal conditions some companies may fail to win tenders."
However Andy Scott, director of international and UK operations at the Confederation of British Industry, suggested that the number of mixed messages currently coming from Moscow should not be allowed to affect business.
Last week Russian hostility towards the Baltic States resulted in the decision to halve shipments of oil products, timber, metals and coal via Estonia.
