Russia
Leading emerging markets move rapidly up World Bank’s PPP GDP and FDI confidence rankings
The world’s leading Emerging Markets are moving rapidly up the World Bank’s latest GDP rankings in PPP (purchase power parity) terms as well as the annual foreign direct investment confidence ranking.
Russia asks Kazakhstan for emergency fuel supply
Russia has requested that Kazakhstan be ready to provide it with 100,000 tonnes of gasoline in the event of shortages.
Crocus attackers say in interrogation videos they were heading to Ukraine
The four men accused by Moscow of being behind March’s deadly terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue have said they were promised safe passage to Ukraine and a financial award there.
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Russian federal budget deficit falls to $6.7bn in 1Q24 on the back of higher oil prices
In 1Q24 the federal budget deficit shrank to RUB607bn ($6.7bn), according to a preliminary estimate of the Ministry of Finance, after oil and gas revenues soared by 80% y/y.
Russia declares federal emergency as flooding forces thousands to evacuate homes
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes following severe floods in the Russian city of Orsk. Orsk, in Russia’s Orenburg region, is close to the Kazakh border, around 1,800 km east of Moscow.
Summer starts as EU gas tanks start to fill again
Winter is over, as the EU gas tanks switch from withdrawals to filling mode again in preparation for next winter. Injection into the gas tanks started on April 1, a week earlier than in 2023 and started at an all-time high record level of 59.3% full.
Profits of Coca Cola’s Russian division quadruple, despite promise to pull out
Coca-Cola promised to pull out of Russia, but all it has done is drop its famous brand for a new local one and moved ownership to a Russia-based operating company
Slovak heritage institution co-operates with Russian counterpart headed by spy chief
Matica slovenska continues to cooperate with Russian Historical Society headed by Sergey Naryshkin, investigative website reports.
Smarter US sanctions seen driving down Turkey-Russia trade
Turkish exports to Russia fall one third in first quarter.
Turkey cancels visa-free travel for Tajiks as Tajikistan rejects Kremlin’s claims Ukraine recruits mercenaries in Dushanbe
Moscow’s assertion has no basis in fact, says Tajik foreign ministry.
Kyrgyzstan: China solidifying economic hold on Bishkek
Fear of secondary sanctions prompting the cutting of a major fiscal cord with Russia.
Orban’s son-in-law and Russian oligarch reportedly attempted to buy stakes in Spar
The bids were allegedly part of a campaign by the Hungarian government to force the retailer to allow businessmen close to the Orban regime to enter the company.
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How Chinese oil imports are helping to support the regimes in Moscow and Tehran
A new report by the Atlantic Council has suggested that China – using a so-called dark fleet in conjunction with Russian and Iran – is effectively getting around existing sanctions on oil purchases from both countries.
Ukraine recruiting war mercenaries from Tajikistan, Russia’s security council chief reported as saying
Nikolai Patrushev said to have claimed Kyiv is running the recruitment via an operation at its embassy in Dushanbe.
US told Moscow that Crocus City Hall was terrorist target
According to officials speaking to the American outlet, the US highlighted the venue as a possible target, two weeks before terrorists from Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) killed 144 people and injured hundreds more.
Defiant RBI under fire as Deripaska Strabag deal proceeds
Washington could reportedly impose penalties on the bank for violating sanctions if deal goes ahead.
Russia’s manufacturing PMI in March hits record high
Russia’s manufacturing sector in March 2024 continued to see a sharp improvement in its health, according to latest PMI reports from S&P Global.
Czech spy agency says pro-Kremlin media ring targets European Parliament elections in several states
Far-right politicians across the EU have been promoted on the Voice of Europe media platform ahead of the European Parliament elections.
Russian hard discounter eyes Hungarian retail market
Svetofor faces challenges in its supply chain due to war and sanctions, but is going ahead with plans to expand in Eastern Europe.
Putin calls up 150,000 more soldiers
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed his annual spring conscription decree, calling up a new swathe of young Russians for compulsory military service.