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RUSSIA'S ECONOMY

Minister suggests Russia could issue foreign currency bonds to cover budget deficit

Russia may borrow $1.250 bln on the foreign market

Alexei Ulyukayev Alexei Pavlishak/TASS

Alexei Ulyukayev

© Alexei Pavlishak/TASS

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Minister: Bashneft privatization technically feasible in late 2016 or mid-2017

SCHETINKA SETTLEMENT, August 22. /TASS/. Russia could cover its 2016 budget deficit in 2016 by issuing foreign currency bonds, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters.

When asked what funds the government will use to cover the budget deficit instead of revenues from privatization of Bashneft company the minister said:

"We see that the share of foreign investors on the (Russian) stock market is growing, we see that they actively participate in the privatization deals, such as the sale of Alrosa and also in placement of corporate bonds. Therefore, I am sure, that Russia’s foreign currency bonds will be in great demand."

He said that Russia still has an option to issue bonds on foreign market.

"Under the law on the budget we still can borrow $1.250 bln on the foreign market - we may use this tool," the official said.

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He added that Russia may also substantially increase borrowings on the domestic market.

Ulyukayev said that he is an advocate for covering the deficit through borrowing rather than from reserve funds.

Earlier this month Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev postponed privatization of oil producer Bashneft.

Ulyukayev said earlier that the Russian government intended to sell 50.08% of Bashneft shares before the end of 2016. Different options of the deal are being considered, in particular the sale of company’s shares on the exchange or their divestment to a strategic investor.

Bashneft oil company operates in more than 20 regions of Russia and abroad. The Federal Property Management Agency owns 50 plus 1 share in the company’s share capital; the republic of Bashkortostan holds 25% plus one share. Bashneft’s shares are traded on the Moscow Exchange.

EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

The European Commission suggested introducing duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus earlier

Energy prices help US economy to develop better than Europe — IMF

It is reported that the US has benefited from more favorable conditions in terms of energy prices, something that has been quite a serious factor for Europe, not a positive factor for Europe

Iran tells US about April 13 attack on Israel, it does not want escalation — top diplomat

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian Prosecutor General

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At least 16 Syrian troops killed in terrorists’ ambush in east Syria — TV

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

Maria Zakharova said it was "absurd" to say Russia nurtured any aggressive plans about Ukraine

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"The UN history has precedents when states were not admitted on their first try. The number of attempts is not limited," Nadezhda Sokolova said

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Yevgeny Pogrebnyak said that he was treated well by Russian troops in his captivity

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

"We will keep working to rebuild ties that will enable us to upgrade and train our forces in accordance with NATO standards," Luis Petri noted

Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Another source said MiG-31I differs from previous MiG-K option by "different engines, avionics and missiles"

US deploying missiles in Philippines to endanger global security — Russian envoy

Anatoly Antonov has urged the US "not to open Pandora's Box" and follow Russia’s suit "by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability"

Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

According to the minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in the event that Israel uses force against Tehran's interests, "the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to use its right to give an immediate and decisive response that will make them regret"

Russian prosecutor general accuses US of imposing illegitimate sanctions

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Vehicles, equipment participating in Victory Day parade depart for Moscow — ministry

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Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

Putin points to high risk of new epidemic outbreaks

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Chief prosecutors of Russia, Venezuela sign cooperation agreement in Caracas

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US blackmails other countries at United Nations — Russian mission

Dmitry Polyansky said "this shameful neocolonial tactics are fully exposed now in the context of Gaza War"

Number of applications in RuStore surpasses 37,000

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Maria Zakharova noted the need to "wait for official information from the investigation"

EU leaders urge to adopt proposal on using incomes from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

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Putin may hold meeting of Council on Interethnic Relations on April 24 — Council’s member

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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Maria Zakharova also highlighted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s recent US visit, adding that "it was yet again accompanied by anti-Russian outbursts"

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Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Russia-China military-technical cooperation not directed against other states — diplomat

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

"Without noticing it themselves, they spoke the language of an ultimatum," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underlined

Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

The two other State Duma members mentioned in the verdict alongside Karpov are Viktor Kazakov and Georgy Karlov

Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin also said that an explosive device had detonated in the Kievsky District of Donetsk, injuring a man born in 1964

Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the demarcation process also involves risks, but they are manageable, after which "Armenia will become ten times stronger"

Exports of Chinese goods to Ukraine rise by 50% to $783 mln in January - March

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EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

The changes were attributed to reconstruction works on the Russian side of the checkpoint Ivangorod

CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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Russia will not 'shake up' relations with Argentina due to its partnership with NATO — MFA

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia and Argentina maintain a good dialogue at various levels

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

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EU plans to invest first profits from Russian assets in military aid to Kiev

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Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Crimea’s revenues rise to $1.12 bln over past ten years

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Investments in Subarctic region to be over $32.6 bln in next decade — governor

Murmansk authorities said earlier that the capacity of the port of Lavna under construction on the western coast of the Kola Bay is planned to be involved in transshipping export cargoes from Belarus

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

The report did not specify which facilities in Israel had been attacked with hypersonic missiles

Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

According to Maria Zakharova, Moscow "regards this provocative attack as the latest move by the German side aimed at further twisting history, painting the course and outcome of World War II in an anti-Russian manner"

German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

Commenting on the men's arrest, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "Our security services have prevented possible explosions aimed at undermining our military assistance to Ukraine"

France-Russia relations hit rock bottom — ex-envoy to Paris

Alexander Orlov noted that recently French President Emmanuel Macron "has made a number of questionable moves that have increased the divide" between both countries

Russia expects Armenia to clarify 'military, political accords' with US, EU — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow would not be surprised if it turned out that the US and the EU had imposed their plans on Yerevan

Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

Donald Tusk said that German Chancellor’s call to send more air defense systems to Kiev had no relation to Poland, provided the country's geographical position near the frontline

China to act over possible US measures for alleged support of Russian defense sector

"China always opposes the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," Liu Pengyu said

Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

"There are increasingly fewer people willing to discuss this subject with Kiev’s envoys, let alone going there," Rodion Miroshnik stressed

Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

The Ukrainian army used the outbuilding as an ammunition depot, which accommodated about 15 fighters at the time of the air strike, spokesman Sergey Lebedev specified

Cuba expects to welcome over 200,000 Russian tourists in 2024 — minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda expressed hope that in a short term the number could climb to half a million

Kazakhstan to sign new agreement with Russia on border checkpoints

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Lavrov states West’s growing concern about BRICS plans to develop own financial tools

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Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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German prosecutors confirm they have two suspected Russian agents in custody

According to prosecutors, Dieter S. asserted his readiness to carry out attacks, above all, against military infrastructure, but also industrial facilities

Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

"The West is not only taking state assets and private property, but also threatening to destroy the major civilian infrastructure facilities, which were built with investments and then miraculously blown up, and they have now threatened insurance," Maria Zakharova said

Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

Ahmad Haghtalab pointed out that the Iranian Army and other security forces protect Iranian nuclear facilities using the most advanced equipment, so "national nuclear centers are completely safe"

Russian Railways to triple tourist passenger flow to 3 mln people by 2030

The country faces the task of doubling the flow of passengers in excursion trains by 2030 compared with 2023, while Russian Railways sets tripling the number of passengers as a goal, Ivan Kolesnikov noted