In the end of January 2010, R.F. Deputy Minister for Transportation Sergei Aristov met Nicaraguan Deputy Foreign Minister Manuel Coronel for discussions related to the construction of a new canal between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. After concluding negotiations, the Russian Minister said that the world’s economic situation and the beginning of the reconditioning of Panama Canal require making a new assessment of the viability of the project. The new canal has been variously estimated to cost USD 18 billion.

Another topic raised during the discussion was the launch of air service linking Nicaragua and Russia. In the summer of 2009, the Russian Transportation Ministry submitted a draft proposal to the Nicaraguan side that would replace the 1980 air transportation accord, however, no comments have been received yet.

Minister Coronel also solicited the participation of Russian railroad companies in constructing railways in Nicaragua. The Minister also asked Russia’s assistance in modernizing the airport of  Managua.