The language and style of the manuscript have been polished to native-level academic English throughout. The Abstract now uses a clear problem–method–results–contribution structure. This matches the standards of Scopus-indexed journals. The volume was unchanged, but revisions improved clarity, cohesion, and academic tone. This article examines how international sanctions on the Russian Federation have altered Uzbekistan’s foreign trade between 2019 and 2025. The study uses a mixed-methods design and data from Stat.uz, UN Comtrade, and the World Bank. It tracks export composition, payment mechanisms, and trade flows under sanctions. It emphasizes sanctions compliance as a tool for managing cross-border risk. Results show that institutionalized and digital compliance procedures support both restriction adherence and export diversification, improve payment resilience, and strengthen Uzbek firms’ competitive positions. By focusing on a non-sanctioned partner, the article adds to the literature on sanctions spillovers and gives policy insights for emerging markets facing geopolitical fragmentation.