Russia
A private company is building Belarus President Lukashenko a luxurious bolthole in Russia's Sochi – investigation
A private company linked to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is reportedly constructing a luxurious bolthole with hotel, restaurant and chalets in Russia’s mountainous village of Krasnaya Polyana, near Sochi, a joint investigation found.
New India-Europe transit corridor set to challenge IMEC, Suez routes
The battle of the corridors is heating up as India promotes a new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) route that will connect the subcontinent with Europe by traversing the Middle East over land then sea to the EU via Haifa in Israel.
The Kremlin scores propaganda points with a display of captured tanks and armour ahead of the Victory Day parade
An exhibition of captured military trophies has opened in Moscow, ahead of the May 9 annual Victory Day parade, showing off Nato armour and vehicles captured by Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict.
Russian hackers target Kosovo over support for Ukraine
PM and president's websites temporarily offline in hacker attacks linked to Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci's criticisms of Russia.
KSE: Sanctions tracker - Russia’s external environment improves in April
External environment improves for Russia – March trade surplus doubled to $16.8bn compared to average values in January-February; current account surplus rose to $13.4bn.
New Ukraine funding deal gives EU members opt out on military spending using CBR frozen funds
Neutral EU member states will be able to opt out of a plan to use profits from Russia’s central bank frozen assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine.
Russia’s poorest regions amongst the biggest winners from the war spending
Russia’s heavy military spending is acting as an income inequality equaliser. A raft of Russia’s poorest regions are the biggest winner from the militarisation of the Russian economy, as state money pours into fixing up regional factories.
Raiffeisen says pressure to cut Russian loanbook will complicate exit
Austrian lender suspends full-year target numbers after the ECB warning.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry calls on world to reject the legitimacy of Putin’s presidency
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it does not recognise Vladimir Putin as the democratically elected and legitimate president of Russia the day before he was due to be inaugurated for the fifth time.
Nothing concrete has yet emerged from nuclear plant talks with Russia, says Uzbekistan
Tashkent has received proposals from other countries, though as things stand there are no talks on alternatives to Russian bid, UzAtom director says.
Russia’s government to change following Putin inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be sworn in for his fifth term in office on May 7 and, according to the Russian constitution, the government must resign.
Russian services PMI of 50.15 just above the no-change benchmark as Russia's economy begins to cool
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Russia Services PMI Business Activity Index just about broke even, posting 50.5 in April, down from 51.4 in March and only just above the 50 no-change benchmark. S&P Global reported on May 6.
Russian technology imports at pre-war levels, tougher export controls needed – Bruegel
Russia’s imports of Western technology have reached pre-war levels and the export control regime to stop the trade is full of holes. Tougher rules, enforcement and bigger fines are needed to curb the trade, according to a report by Bruegel.
OECD raises Russia growth forecast to 2.6% for 2024
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has increased its GDP growth projection for Russia in 2024 from 1.8% to 2.6% in 2024, making it the sixth-fastest growing major economy globally this year.
The State of World Press Freedom
The 2024 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), was released today. This year, the agency highlights a “worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state.
Russia’s car sector makes almost full recovery from sanctions shock
After coming to a total stand still in the months after the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, Russia's automotive sector has almost made a complete recovery and is on course to sell 1.3mn cars this year - AEB
KSE: Russian oil revenues rising, tougher sanctions needed on shadow fleet
Russian oil export revenues surged to $17.2bn in March 2024, driven by higher global oil prices and increased crude export volumes, according to the April ‘Russian Oil Tracker’ by KSE Institute.
RAGOZIN: Exhausting Russia, strategies and fantasies
The long-delayed allocation of $61bn by the US Congress gives Ukraine yet another chance to negotiate peace with Russia without losing even more lives and territory, provided it succeeds in stalling the current Russian offensive.
Putin promises long-term stability, a more equitable tax regime in the up-coming tax reform
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised a planned tax overhaul would increase inflows to the state budget, benefit low-income families and provide long-term stability for Russian corporates at his meeting with the big business lobbying group.
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