Category: Economy, Business, Investment, Trade

2015: A mixed bag for Russia’s Asian ‘Pivot’; Ties with ASEAN and China grow, but relationship with Japan remains frosty

China, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Far East, Siberia, APEC, Japan
Asia Map

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – AJAY KAMALAKARAN, RBTH – December 10, 2015) Russia’s strategic and economic push towards Asia achieved mixed results in 2015, with Moscow strengthening ties with ASEAN countries and China, while its ties with Japan and Australia remained frosty. “When it comes to Asia, the biggest strategic economic gains came to Russia from the ASEAN […]

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Medvedev: Russia is capable of surviving recession without aid

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Military, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

In his annual interview to five of the country’s leading television channels on Dec. 9, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev tackled topics ranging from the economy to defense, corruption, Crimea, and Ukraine’s $3 billion debt. RBTH presents a selection of highlights from the interview. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Igor Rozin – December 9, 2015) On economics “The […]

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NEWSLINK Christian Science Monitor: “Kremlin’s beef with Turkey hits Russians at home – and on holiday”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Newslinks, Turkey
Turkey and Environs Satellite Image

The acrimony between Moscow and Ankara over the downing of a Russian bomber in Syria has cut Russians off from Turkish produce, and reduced their vacation options to boot.

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NEWSWATCH CNN: “Russia’s middle class: We don’t blame Putin.”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, JRL NewsBlog, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

CNN reports on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s political standing and the reaction by the Russian citizenry to the impact of sanctions, embargoes and economic downturn. Russia’s middle class has had a tough time recently, but they aren’t blaming … Putin for it. [In addition to restrictions on certain travel and imports] … The ruble has lost more than half its […]

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RIA Novosti : “Russian envoy: Raised focus on relations with China predates Western sanctions”

China, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Far East, Siberia, APEC, Sanctions
Asia Map

(RIA Novosti – December 8, 2015) Russian ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Andrey Denisov has denied that Russia’s “eastward turn” – its visible attempt to improve relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily China – was a response to the introduction of sanctions against Russia by several Western countries; rather, he said, it had been mooted over […]

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RBTH: Russian economy moves out of recession

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Alexei Ulyukayev file photo

Economic crisis: After a year of unprecedented economic turmoil, the country is in calmer waters but there are still challenges ahead. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – DARIA LITVINOVA, SPECIAL TO RBTH – December 9, 2015) In the wake of sharply declining oil prices, a ruble that almost halved in value and the imposition of economic sanctions, many believed […]

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NEWSWATCH CNBC: “Ex-Russia Fin Min [Kudrin]: We need ‘painful’ structural reforms”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, JRL NewsBlog, Oil, Gas, Energy, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Alexei Kudrin file photo

CNBC covers remarks by former Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, citing the ongoing impact of oil prices while also noting a need for Russian economic reforms, stymied by political considerations. … Kudrin acknowledged the ongoing impact of … commodities … ‘The drop in GDP (gross domestic product) this year mainly has to do with the drop in oil prices – […]

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Tax system in Russia to remain unchanged for next few years – PM

Budget, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Cash, Calculator, Pen

MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) – The Russian government is not planning to raise taxes in the country in the next few years, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. “Currently a decision has been made, it was supported by the president, that we in the next few years will not touch the tax system in general and we will not touch […]

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TRANSCRIPT: In Conversation with Dmitry Medvedev: Interview with five television channels

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Dmitri Medvedev file photo

(Government.ru – December 9, 2015) Prime Minister answered questions from TV anchors Irada Zeinalova (Channel One), Sergei Brilyov (Rossiya), Kirill Pozdnyakov (NTV), Yelizaveta Osetinskaya (RBC TV) and Mikhail Fishman (TV Rain). Sergei Brilyov: Good afternoon. On behalf of the media holding that hosts this broadcast it is my pleasure to welcome you on Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24 TV stations, as […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Medvedev on] The implementation of roadmaps for the national entrepreneurial initiative

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Dmitri Medvedev file photo

(Government.ru – December 1, 2015) Conference on the implementation of roadmaps for the national entrepreneurial initiative From Dmitry Medvedev’s opening remarks: The national entrepreneurial initiative has become a fundamentally new programme to improve the business climate in the country. This year will see the main stage of this paramount national project come to completion. The programme’s reforms were shaped by […]

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How Russian women succeed in business management

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Empty Boardroom

Leading businesswomen tell RBTH that the keys to success for female managers in Russia are being client-oriented, persistent and experienced. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – ALEXEI LOSSAN, RBTH – December 8, 2015) When it comes to Russia’s economy, experts believe that women are mostly active in consumer-oriented sectors. “A lot depends on the sector in which the company […]

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Ruble Sinks to New Lows As Oil Prices Plummet

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – December 8, 2015) The Russian ruble has continued its slide to dramatic lows, falling to 69 against the U.S. dollar on Monday for the first time since September, according to news reports. The euro, too, reached a two-month high, climbing to 75 rubles on Monday evening, with Russian analysts linking the ruble’s downward spiral to […]

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Russian businesswomen break the glass ceiling

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Empty Boardroom

Despite large number of female managers in Russia, experts caution that women are mostly active in small businesses. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – ALEXEI LOSSAN, RBTH – December 7, 2015) While Russia is believed to have the largest proportion of women in senior managerial positions in the world, women are mostly active in small businesses. In the medium […]

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Truckers’ Strike Won’t Lead to Political Change in Russia, Gontmakher Says

Budget, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Transportation
Truck at Russian Border Crossing

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, December 7, 2015) Pro-Kremlin writers have argued that the deteriorating economic situation will lead Russians to willingly tighten their belts, and opposition ones have suggested that economic problems will lead to political protests and even regime change. But both are wrong, Yevgeny Gontmakher says. In a commentary today, the Moscow economic analyst […]

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Why are Russian truckers protesting? 10 questions and answers

Budget, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia and Russian Flag adapted from images at state.gov

For over a month now, long-haul drivers in Russia have been engaged in a mass protest, staging rallies across the country, which have now reached Moscow. Truckers, especially those who are self-employed or work for small businesses, believe that the recently introduced additional toll for using federal highways will put their business on the brink of bankruptcy. (Russia Beyond the […]

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Will Crimea’s ‘energy bridge’ save it from dependency on Ukraine?

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Russian Naval Vessel in Ukrainian Port

Electricity in Crimea has been partially restored: On Dec. 2 an underwater cable linked the peninsula’s electricity system with a Russian electrical grid. RBTH finds out why the Russian authorities were unprepared for the peninsula’s electricity being cut off by Ukrainian activists and asks whether the energy bridge will save Crimean residents from other infrastructure failures in the future. (Russia […]

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Russia-Ukraine flight ban: A month in

Aviation, Drones, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
File Photo of Airplane Approaching Runway About to Land

In the days since direct flights between Russia and Ukraine ended, frequent travelers between the neighboring countries have had to spend more time and money going back and forth. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – VLADIMIR KOZLOV, SPECIAL TO RBTH – November 25, 2015) Air travel is the latest industry to fall victim to tensions between Moscow and Kiev […]

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Russians Find New Holiday Spots After Egypt, Turkey Bans

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Middle East, North Africa, Military, NATO, Turkey

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Joanna Kozlowska – December 4, 2015) Russian tour operators have seen increasing demand for tours to India, Thailand, and the UAE following restrictions on travel to Egypt and Turkey – Russians’ two preferred destinations in the first half of 2015, Russian media reported on Friday. At the same time, officials’ attempts to revive interest in […]

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Interfax: Minister sees Moody’s upgrading Russia rating outlook as recognition of effective policy

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Anton Siluanov file photo

MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax) – Moody’s Investors Service’s decision to upgrade the rating outlook for Russian government bonds to stable from negative is an acknowledgement of the effectiveness of the Russian authorities’ fiscal and monetary policies, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters. “The upgrade of the outlook, made for the first time in a fairly long time, indicates recognition of […]

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Truck Protests Signal New Kind of Social Activism

Budget, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Truck at Russian Border Crossing

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Vasily Kolotilov – December 4, 2015) “I think I will set my car on fire soon. The tax will take us all down. I get 112 rubles a month in social payments for my kid – how am I supposed to raise him on that?” says Rasul, a truck driver from Russia’s North Caucasus republic […]

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NEWSWATCH Intellinews/Ben Aris: “Terrorism, bread and babies in Russia’s sights for 2016, Putin tells nation”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, JRL NewsBlog, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Population Disaster, Demographics
File Photo of Kremlin Tower, St. Basil's, Red Square at Night

Ben Aris comments upon Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2015 State of the Nation speech. In a tight one-hour speech to more than 1,200 state officials and dignitaries gathered in the Moscow Kremlin, the Russian leader urged the international community to unite in ‘one mighty fist’ against the terrorist scourge, while leaving no doubt as to whom he blamed for its […]

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Russians Turn to Bartering in Economic Recession

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
File Image of Stylized Eye Surrounded by Binary Code

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Anna Dolgov – December 2, 2015) An economic recession and soaring grocery prices have prompted Russians to go online to trade household items for food, with scores of websites facilitating a barter system cropping up around the country. Russia’s main social network, VKontakte, has an array of online groups, targeting various cities, where local inhabitants […]

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Debt repayment falters as ruble stays unsteady

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
File Photo of Cash Register with Drawer Open and Hands of Cashier

Amid continuously falling incomes, debt help groups thrive as Russians turn to different solutions to repay loans. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – ANNA KUCHMA, RBTH – December 2, 2015) In the past year, arrears on loans have reached record levels. Borrowers are finding it more difficult to repay their loans due to the steep devaluation of the ruble […]

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COP21: a diary from Paris

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Environment, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas
Polar Bear on Ice, Looking Back at Camera

oDR correspondent Angelina Davydova is in Paris attending the UN climate conference COP21, where she’s keeping her eye on the Russian side of things… (opendemocracy.net – November 30, 2015) 30 November: Putin speaks Today was the first day of the UN climate conference in Paris (#COP21) and it began with 130 heads of state and government addressing the conference. This […]

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NEWSWATCH Wall Street Journal: “Talks With Russia on EU-Ukraine Trade Deal Fail to Reach Compromise. Moscow makes new demands over bilateral accord set for Jan. 1”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Europe, EU, JRL NewsBlog, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
EU Map

The Wall Street Journal covers efforts by the EU and Ukraine to consult with Russia over an upcoming EU-Ukrainian trade deal. Russia laid out a long list of demands for amending a sweeping trade deal between Ukraine and the European Union a month before the pact is due to be fully implemented…. at a fresh round of discussions among the […]

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Banks Too Big to Sanction as War Wrecks Russia’s Ukraine Ties

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Sanctions, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Map of Ukraine, Including Crimea, and Neighbors, Including Russia

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Volodymyr Verbyany, Jake Rudnitsky – November 30, 2015) Your enemy’s bank is your friend. Or so Ukraine wants to believe after giving Russian banks a pass more than a year and a half into a separatist insurgency it blames on the Kremlin. Banks including state-run lenders sanctioned by the U.S. and the European Union have clung […]

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NEWSWATCH Reuters: “Grim reality sets in for Ukraine wheat crop”

Agriculture, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Map of Ukraine, Including Crimea, and Neighbors, Including Russia

Reuters covers Ukrainian agricultural production following some unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the year. Ukraine’s 2016 wheat crop is … sailing into uncharted waters given both the significantly missed planting target and a record percentage of crops in poor condition. … the world’s sixth-largest wheat exporter[] has faced one of the most challenging winter planting campaigns this year than ever […]

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‘Russia’s Future Not Connected with Ukraine or Syria,’ Inozemtsev Says

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Middle East, North Africa, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Syria, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Map of Russia and Russian Flag adapted from images at state.gov

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, December 1, 2015) Russians have been so focused on events in Ukraine and now Syria that they have forgotten the most important thing: their future and that of their country is not connected with what is going on in those countries but what is taking place or not taking place in their […]

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Climate Change And The View From Moscow

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Environment, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Science, Technology, Engineering
Snowy Night on Red Square with Old St. Basil's Lit Up

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Tom Balmforth – Explainer – MOSCOW, November 29, 2015) Russia’s size and broad range of environments, from the arid southern steppe to the frigid Arctic, expose the world’s largest country to many aspects of climate change. President Vladimir Putin is one of dozens of leaders expected to attend a UN conference on climate change that starts […]

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NEWSWATCH Wall Street Journal: “Russians Seeking Winter Retreat Are Stopped Cold. Moscow’s travel bans to Egypt, Turkey amid diplomatic crises force tens of thousands to adjust or cancel vacations”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, JRL NewsBlog, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey

The Wall Street Journal covers disruptions to Russian travel plans, amidst travel bans imposed by the Kremlin following Turkey’s shoot-down of a Russian military jet and a suspected terrorist downing of a Russian airliner in Egypt. Turkey and Egypt were popular destinations, offering hotels and services far better than Russian equivalents at a reasonable price. Six million Russians visited Turkey […]

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NEWSWATCH Reuters: “Khodorkovsky says Putin is leading Russia towards stagnation, collapse”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, JRL NewsBlog, Oil, Gas, Energy, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Kremlin Tower, St. Basil's, Red Square at Night

Reuters covers remarks by former Russian oil tycoon, former prison inmate, political activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky. President Vladimir Putin will survive Western sanctions and lower oil prices but the Kremlin chief has brought such stagnation that Russia could eventually collapse, former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said …. Russia’s richest man, who was arrested in 2003 after falling foul of Putin and released […]

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NEWSWATCH AP: “Energy-Rich Russia Pays Little Attention to Climate Change”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Environment
Snowy Night on Red Square with Old St. Basil's Lit Up

AP covers Russia’s posture towards climate-related issues and environmentally focused alternatives. The issue is largely absent from public discussion and officials appear to give it only lip service, when they’re not sardonically dismissing it. * * *  In a country where even recycling is a little-understood concept, there is little support and few incentives from the national government for Russian […]

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The $30 Oil Cliff Threatening Russia’s Economy

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy
Offshore Oil Rig file photo

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Andre Tartar and Olga Tanas – November 30, 2015) [Chart here http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-29/the-30-oil-cliff-that-economists-see-threatening-russia-in-2016] For Russia, $30 is the number to watch. Crude prices at that level will push the economy to depths that would threaten the nation’s financial system, according to 63 percent of respondents in a Bloomberg survey. Lower prices for the fuel are next year’s […]

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NEWSWATCH Wall Street Journal: “Russia Takes Aim at Turkish Economy Amid Fighter-Jet Spat. Turkish officials reject Vladimir Putin’s call for an apology.”

Agriculture, Aviation, Drones, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, JRL NewsBlog, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Syria, Turkey
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

The Wall Street Journal covers Russia’s response to Turkey’s shoot-down of a Russian military jet. Russia has reacted with fury to the incident and vowed to retaliate by clamping down on trade and business ties. … Turkish President … Erdogan dismissed Mr. Putin’s demands that Ankara apologize or offer compensation …. Turkey has provided evidence that it gave repeated warnings […]

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Russian Tour Agencies Cancel Turkey Trips Amid Fury Over Downed Warplane

Aviation, Drones, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Middle East, North Africa, Military, NATO, Syria
Turkey and Environs Satellite Image

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – November 26, 2015) Turkey is a hugely popular vacation spot for Russians, almost 3.3 million of whom holidayed there in 2014, according to official figures. Russian tour agencies have canceled flights to Turkey and suspended sales of new tours a day after the downing of a Russian fighter-bomber by the Turkish military, Russian media reported […]

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NEWSWATCH Wall Street Journal: “Russian Corporate Bonds’ Unlikely Winning Ways. They are the best performing in the emerging markets in 2015, Citigroup says.”

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

The Wall Street Journal reports on the performance of Russian corporate bonds. From adversity comes opportunity. But given the degree of adversity facing Russia at the end of 2014—sanctions over Ukraine, plummeting oil prices, a collapsing currency—it is surprising quite how much of an investment opportunity it has turned out to be this year. Russian corporate bonds are the best […]

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Three urban legends about Russian business people

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Empty Boardroom

A Skolkovo professor dispels some myths about doing business with Russians. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Moty Cristal – November 19, 2015) Moty Cristal is Professor of Professional Practice in Negotiation Dynamics at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management There is a clear distinction between business in Russia and business with Russians. When people say, “doing business in […]

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Western sanctions cost Russia 1.5% of GDP – Alexei Kudrin

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Europe, EU, Sanctions
Alexei Kudrin file photo

(Interfax – November 21, 2015) Russia’s GDP would have been 1.5 percent higher if sanctions had not been imposed against Moscow, former Russian Finance Minister and Committee of Civil Initiatives Chairman Alexei Kudrin has said, pointing out that no positive effect from the sanctions has been seen in any industry. “The sanctions have considerably complicated the situation in the country. […]

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Putin skips APEC meeting – but is Russia’s ‘pivot to Asia’ still on track?

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Far East, Siberia, APEC, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas
Map of Asia-Pacific Highlighting APEC Member States

Media observers were quick to note Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in his stead to this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Manila – what is the significance of Putin’s absence, and does it send a message about Russia’s changing priorities toward Asia? (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – SERGEI STROKAN, VLADIMIR MIKHEEV, […]

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Gazprom’s Miller Tops Russia’s Best Paid Executive List With $27 Million

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy
Gas Facility file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – November 20, 2015) Russia’s highest-paid executive last year with earnings of $27 million was Alexei Miller, the head of natural gas producer Gazprom, according to a ranking published by the Russian edition of Forbes magazine on Thursday that showed a sharp fall in the incomes of many of Russia’s top corporate bosses. Miller, 53, bucked […]

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Why the Doing Business ranking is so important for Russia; The World Bank report is seen as a key indicator for reforming the business environment

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
World Bank Building

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Alexei Lossan- November 20, 2015) Alexei Lossan is the RBTH Central Desk editor for business In November 2015, the World Bank released its annual Doing Business ranking, in which Russia managed to rise to 51st place. For the Russian economy, this ranking has a particular significance because the government has selected it as […]

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Can Putin Come In From The Cold?

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Europe, EU, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, NATO, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Vladimir Putin file photo with VOA logo; screen shot from video still

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Brian Whitmore – November 18, 2015) He wasn’t ostracized. He wasn’t isolated. And certainly nobody threatened to shirtfront him. In the space of a year, Vladimir Putin has gone from being the pariah of Brisbane to being the star of Antalya. The contrast between last year’s G20 summit in Australia and this year’s in Turkey couldn’t […]

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Russia Pushes IMF for Response, Won’t Send Debt Offer to Ukraine

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Europe, EU, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
International Monetary Fund Logo Over Ukraine Flag

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Olga Tanas – November 20, 2015) Russia, which has previously refused to negotiate with Ukraine over restructuring its $3 billion Eurobond, is waiting for the International Monetary Fund to respond to its proposal to change the terms on the debt and expects the cash-strapped country to initiate new talks if it’s unable to pay in full […]

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Ukraine Rebuffs Putin’s Offer to Restructure Russian Debt

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Maidan Square in Kiev, Ukraine

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – November 20, 2015) Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has rejected Russia’s restructuring proposal for the repayment of Kiev’s eurobond debt, and said the “aggressor state” should accept the same terms as other bondholders. The “basic conditions” that must be included in any debt restructuring plan include a 20 percent reduction on the face value of […]

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Kyiv Must Seek Collapse of Putin Regime, Not ‘Restoration of Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity at Any Price,’ Portnikov Says

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Russia & the West, Sanctions, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, November 20, 2015) Ukrainian commentator Vitaly Portnikov argues that the goal of the Ukrainian government should not be “the restoration of territorial integrity at any price but rather the undermining of the economy of the aggressor country and the collapse of Putin’s political regime” (rus.newsru.ua/columnists/19nov2015/voprossroka.html). Western media say that the EU and […]

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Russia Sees Biggest Decline in Wages, Retail Sales Since 1999

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Anna Andrianova – November 19, 2015) Russian wages and retail sales declined by the most since 1999, a sign consumer demand will remain a weak link in the economy’s efforts to break out of its first recession in six years. Real wages fell 10.9 percent in October from a year earlier, a deeper contraction than the […]

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Putin’s Thaw With U.S. Gives Russia Room to Phase Out Stimulus

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Elvira Nabiullina file photo

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Maria Levitov – November 18, 2015) Reining in stimulus just became a lot easier for at least one of the world’s policy makers: Elvira Nabiullina. Signs this week that Russia’s isolation in global politics may be coming to an end set off a rally in the nation’s assets as investors bet sanctions over Ukraine will get […]

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Why is Russia’s Central Bank planning to print 1 trillion rubles? The regulator intends to inject $15 billion of cash into circulation

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Central Bank of Russia file photo

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – ANNA KUCHMA, RBTH – November 18, 2015) Russia’s Central Bank is to inject 1 trillion rubles ($15 billion) in banknotes into circulation in December, allegedly to cover a seasonal demand for cash. The regulator’s first deputy chairman Georgy Luntovsky announced the upcoming cash issue on Nov. 12. According to the Central Bank, the […]

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G20 summit in Turkey: What were the 4 major events for Russia?

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Europe, EU, Oil, Gas, Energy, Turkey, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Turkey map

Following the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey on Nov. 15-16, RBTH presents an overview of the four most interesting events and statements concerning Russia made at the meeting of world leaders. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – ALEXEY TIMOFEYCHEV, RBTH – November 17, 2015) 1. Unplanned meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents Russian President Vladimir Putin and his […]

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