Russia
Russia raises key rate to 6.5% amid strong inflationary pressure
Inflationary pressure higher and more persistent than forecast, says CBR, warning of signs of overheating in some sectors.
Russia temporarily disconnects from the World Wide Web
Russia has been considering the concept of a "sovereign internet”, namely cutting itself off from the World Wide Web.
Far Eastern Yakutsk city under threat from unprecedented forest fires
Raging fires have been an increasing occurrence in Siberian summers, with the trend widely attributed to climate change, which has caused temperatures in the vast Taiga forest to spike each year.
American personnel in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan reported as among ‘Havana Syndrome’ victims
Following cluster of Vienna incidents, US has stepped up investigation into possible attacks made with directed pulsed microwave energy.
bneGREEN: Global investors turn to green energy and away from fossil fuels
The world’s largest global debt and equity investors are continuing to invest in renewable energy despite the pandemic, driven by the wealth of investment opportunities, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said.
US and Germany strike deal on Nord Stream 2 pipeline
Dismay in Ukraine as agreement allows controversial gas pipeline to be completed without further US sanctions.
The SPAC wave hits Russia
Could a Russian tech company ever be targeted by a SPAC, the special purpose acquisition companies that raise money with a list and only then try and acquire a promising company. Russia is about to see its first SPAC.
MOSCOW BLOG: Russia in July
The good news is that Russia’s economy continues to grow faster than expected. Russia’s Economic Development Ministry has upgraded its growth forecast for this year to 3.8% from 2.8%.
Russia shows tentative willingness to let US use Central Asia bases
Moscow wants to heavily constrain Washington's scope for action, however.
Russia to pause support for overheated car market
Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade will pause the support programme for discounted car leasing worth RUB5bn ($67.5mn), as the car market is seen as overheated, Kommersant daily reported.
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Russia producer price inflation comes off recent all-time high, but remains over 30% y/y
After exploding this year, Russia’s producer price index of inflation (PPI) peaked in May but still remains at record highs.
Putin's popularity stable but Duma remains the most unpopular institution in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal approval rating remains stable having risen from 65% in April to 67% in May before falling back to 66% in June – a level it has been sitting at for most of the last decade.
Da Vinci fund III aims to deRussify its portfolio companies and make them more valuable
Da Vinci Capital, one of Russia’s biggest private equity investors, has been helping its portfolio companies to build up a more international business that will increase their valuation. Now it has launched a new fund that excludes Russia entirely.
MOSCOW BLOG: Merkel goes to Washington
German Chancellor Angela Merkel went on her last foreign trip, to see US President Joe Biden, but on the face of it, it seems that the meeting didn't go as well as planned. Or did it?
Russian prosecutors propose suspended sentence for Calvey
Kremlin seeks face-saving solution for American fund manager accused of embezzlement and fraud by former partner.
Biden and Merkel fail to find common ground over Nord Stream 2 pipeline at Washington summit
US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have failed to find a common position on the issue of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that will allow Russia to bypass Ukraine during a meeting of the two leaders on July 15.
bneGREEN: EU carbon guidelines offer relief to Russian exporters
The European Commission has revealed new proposals concerning its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which would regulate carbon certificates for importers to the union.
DATACRUNCH: demographic disaster in Russia, but a catastrophe in Ukraine
Russia is facing two decades of stagnation thanks to its shrinking population caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union. But in Ukraine the problem is far worse, as the population has shrunk to levels last seen in the '50s.
LONG READ: Putin’s babies
Russia’s economy is expected to stagnate for the next two decades because the population is now shrinking. President Putin made fixing the demographic problem a core goal and big successes have been scored, but the problem is too big to fix.
INTERVIEW: Europlan, the pioneer of Russia’s car leasing business
Why buy a car when you can lease one? The option of leasing vehicles is perfect for Russia’s fast growing economy. Europlan has been on the market for two decades and pioneered leasing in Russia.
