20 Jan, 18:27

RTS index down 0.1%, MOEX index down 0.39% as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

The yuan-to-ruble rate fell by 5 kopecks over past day to 13.82 rubles

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. The dynamics of the MOEX index were mixed on Monday, at one point the benchmark exceeded 2,980 points. By the end of the day, the ruble-denominated index fell by 0.54% to 2,929.55 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS index went down by 0.1% to 905.15 points.

The yuan-to-ruble rate fell by 5 kopecks over past day to 13.82 rubles.

"The market situation for shares has worsened slightly - the ruble has begun to strengthen, and commodity prices have begun to decline," says Alexander Shepelev, an expert on the stock market at BCS World of Investments.

Today is a day off on US stock exchanges in connection with the celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

"Nevertheless, the most important event is taking place in the US - Donald Trump is officially taking office as president. Earlier, he announced a number of important decisions in the first hours of his work," the expert added.

The People's Bank of China, as expected, kept the base interest rate on loans (LPR) for a period of one year at 3.1%.

Forecast for tomorrow

According to the forecast by BCS World of Investments, on Tuesday, January 21, the MOEX Index will vary in the range of 2,852-3,025 points.

The analysts of BCS World of Investments believe that exchange rates are unlikely to move far from current values, "unless some new input data surprises the market greatly." In the short term, the company expects the yuan rate to be 13.5-13.9 rubles and the dollar rate to be 100-103 rubles.

Freedom Finance Global expects that tomorrow the MOEX Index will move in the range of 2,900-3,000 points. The dollar-to-ruble will be 100-102 rubles, the euro and the yuan rates will be 104-106 rubles and 13.7-14.2 rubles, respectively.

The ruble began the week by strengthening its positions.

"Locally, the ruble began to receive support from companies preparing for the January tax period. The rate is also stabilized by the Central Bank's strict monetary policy, currency control measures, and operations within the budget rule. The influence of Donald Trump's coming to power in the United States may find an indirect response in the ruble - in the event of strong movements in oil prices, the dollar index, or in the event of geopolitical signals important for the Russian Federation," Shepelev believes. Tomorrow, global markets may react to Trump's first statements and decisions as president. The eurozone will release its January ZEW economic sentiment index. Investors may want to pay attention to the news from the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

Trump open to trade deal with China — White House

The tariff rate for China "remains where it was yesterday, at the 145% level," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted

Yesterday, 13:34

Zhuravka liberation brings Russian troops closer to Ukrainian army’s hub in Sumy Region

Yunakovka is a logistics hub for the Ukrainian army to supply its combat group in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Yesterday, 09:04

Russia dismisses innuendos about nonexistent threat by Bosnia’s top diplomat — diplomat

Maria Zakharova criticized Elmedin Konakovic’s statement as "clumsy to say the least"

Putin calls for close integration of all Russian naval reconnaissance capabilities

As the Russian president pointed out, "precisely advanced technological solutions and the Navy’s balanced development in all strategic directions" will enable Russia to effectively cope with the tasks of ensuring the protection of the country’s interests in the World Ocean

Russian troops liberate four communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

The Ukrainian military lost more than 10,000 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the week of April 5-11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Georgia fended off two calls to join Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022 — PM

Irakli Kobakhidze stressed that Tbilisi "had to enter into a political tug-of-war to defend Georgia’s national interests"

Two days ago, 09:33

France, UK preparing military intervention in Odessa — Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the proposed "coalition of the willing" as nothing more than "a meme"

Yesterday, 19:09

US hopes to reach agreement with Russia, Ukraine soon — Trump

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 7 that President Vladimir Putin supports a ceasefire in Ukraine, but before that some issues have to be resolved, which for now are hanging in the air

Yesterday, 07:46

Some EU countries strongly oppose use of Russian assets for Ukraine’s needs — top diplomat

Kaja Kallas declined to name those countries

Russia’s defense chief inspects Battlegroup West in special military op zone

Andrey Belousov chaired a meeting at the Battlegroup West’s command post where military commanders briefed him on the current situation, the maintenance of troops in the special military operation zone and enemy activity in the zone controlled by the battlegroup

Yesterday, 20:12

US State Department confirms ambassador to Ukraine to resign

Bridget Brink was ambassador at the embassy in Ukraine for three years

US should appreciate Iran agreed to dialogue despite threats — Foreign Ministry

According to the Islamic republic's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian side intends to assess Washington's position at the talks on Saturday and then give its response

German politician urges to support US effort on achieving peace in Ukraine

Earlier on Friday, upon arriving at the NATO headquarters for a meeting of a contact group on arms supplies to Ukraine, acting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius vowed more military aid to Ukraine in the years to come

Trump’s envoy Witkoff heading to Russia for a meeting with Putin — Axios

The flight carrying Witkoff departed from Fort Lauderdale in Florida and landed at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg

Press review: Russia, US move past Biden’s legacy as Kiev assures NATO of fight readiness

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 11th

Yesterday, 14:57

Paris aware of Ukraine’s military industry collapse, calls for more aid to Kiev — expert

Alexander Stepanov confirmed that Russia regularly carried out precision strikes against these enterprises, including with Iskander missiles and Geran drones, in an effort to hurt Ukraine’s arms production

Yesterday, 16:38

South Korea imposes sanctions against Russian company over alleged North Korea trade

The sanctions apply to an unregistered vessel called the Sunrise 1, operated by the Hong Kong-based company Xiangrui Shipping, as well as two Chinese citizens who work as managers at the shipping company

Yesterday, 13:35

Urals oil price drops below $50 per barrel first since June 2023

The price of Urals oil was last below $50 per barrel on June 12, 2023

Putin-Witkoff meeting continues for now — Kremlin

The beginning of the meeting, Dmitry Peskov emphasized, was "businesslike"

IN BRIEF: What is known about latest Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure

A lead engineer at a plant in the LPR suffered injuries

Yesterday, 19:52

Yura Borisov signs with one of biggest US talent agencies — report

The agency describes its clients as people whose voices and vision define culture and shape the world

Turkey set for further development of relations with Russia — president

The Turkish leader also noted that he has close contacts with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and US leader Donald Trump on the Syrian issue

Yesterday, 16:05

US oil supplies to China set to decline to almost zero due to Trump tariffs — Bloomberg

Crude supplies from the US "are by no means vital to China" - in the early months of this year added up to roughly 1% of the Asian nation’s total imports, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa Ltd, the agency reported

Yesterday, 13:15

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, weapons depots over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 430 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Yesterday, 10:39

Crime in the making: Diplomat slams EU diplomacy chief’s words about frozen Russian assets

"I think this gives us a unique opportunity to analyze a crime before it was committed, not just after," Maria Zakharova said

Yesterday, 20:43

No serious changes in US-Russia relations without ceasefire in Ukraine — State Department

Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized that interaction is necessary to achieve any result

Russia to allocate over $98 bln for naval development in next 10 years — Putin

The Russian president also noted that before the meeting he had a separate conversation on the issue with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov

Yesterday, 16:45

IN BRIEF: What to know about outcome of Russia-US talks in Istanbul

The second round of consultations on normalizing the operation of their embassies lasted five and a half hours

Yesterday, 23:03

Europe is in crisis and losing itself — Republika Srpska President

Milorad Dodik noted that "representatives of the current Brussels mainstream no longer feel safe, and the Europe they were entrusted to govern has been lost"

Two days ago, 14:41

MFA shocked by Ukraine offering ‘safaris’ to foreign nationals

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the Kiev regime has long turned war into a business"

Yesterday, 10:58

IN BRIEF: What we know about prisoner swap between Russia, United States

TASS has compiled the key details about the exchange

Chinese company acquires strategic chemical plant in France supplying Defense Ministry

Wanhua Chemical Group offered to invest €10 mln into the plant’s production but also proposed to reduce the workforce from the current 300 employees to just 50-60

CIS foreign ministers meeting kicks off in Almaty

The meeting will be followed by separate Russia-Central Asia talks between the foreign ministers

Yesterday, 20:32

Belarusian president warns trade war could escalate into military confrontation

He pointed to the Houthi situation as an example of how conflicts can spiral

Israel, Turkey fail to reach agreement on Syria during negotiations in Azerbaijan

The talks are expected to resume following the conclusion of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which this year runs from April 12 to 19

Yesterday, 17:10

US-China tensions very serious, even explosive — Lukashenko

"The Chinese somehow manage to smooth it out and keep this tension under control," the Belarusian president noted

Yesterday, 14:35

Western countries discuss sending troops to Ukraine after ceasefire

Although the US is absent from the meeting, NATO structures are actively involved in the discussion, especially on how to improve Kiev's capabilities on the battlefield, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pointed out

Ukrainian defense minister announces electronic warfare coalition

The new coalition is the 9th created by the contact group, after the air defense, F-16, drone, maritime and other coalitions

Yesterday, 12:14

Russian army hits two Ukrainian repair sites with Geran UAVs — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, one of the strikes hit a large industrial facility used by the Ukrainian army to repair military equipment

Early injection, large LNG supplies may help Europe avoid depleting gas reserves in winter

It is crucial to begin filling the storage facilities as early as possible and any unscheduled technical shutdowns could potentially put additional pressure on the injection season, ENTSOG said

Yesterday, 18:35

US would like to strike trade deal with China — Trump

The US leader said that he has "great respect" for Chinese President Xi Jinping

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Gavrilyuk resigns

Ivan Gavrilyuk has held the post since May 2024

Russia-US contacts insufficient, normalization still needed — Lavrov

The foreign minister emphasized that restoring the undermined trust in US-Russia relations "will take a long time"

Delegates from 140 countries to discuss promoting dialogue at Antalya diplomatic forum

On April 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend the forum

EU wants to continue war in Ukraine, so promises admission to union — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban reminded that the European Union was initially founded "as a peaceful initiative, not a military one"

Yesterday, 17:57

Lavrov's visit to Astana aimed at preparing most important events — Foreign Ministry

On April 10, during a working visit to Kazakhstan, the Russian foreign minister held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu

UK, Norway to provide Ukraine with military assistance worth $580 mln

The funds will be directed towards the supply of "hundreds of thousands" of drones to Kiev, as well as the repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment

Lavrov advises Central Asian countries to 'outlast' Kaja Kallas in her position

"It will probably be much easier than tolerating damage to their own people," the top Russian diplomat noted

Trump administration understands that Zelensky hates Russians — Lavrov

"The Trump administration has this understanding and it has repeatedly stated in public that Zelensky will have to accept the loss of land," Russia’s top diplomat said

At least 29 Palestinians killed due to Israeli strikes on Gaza over past 24 hours

Rescue operations are ongoing to locate those reported missing following an Israeli strike on a residential area in the Al-Shujaiya neighborhood in the eastern part of Gaza City on Wednesday, which left 35 people dead

Yesterday, 08:10

Russian troops completing mop-up operation in outskirts of Guyevo in Kursk area

"Our fighters are completing mopping up forest belts in the outskirts of Guyevo where hundreds of bodies of destroyed Ukrainian soldiers and military hardware can be seen," the source said

Yesterday, 19:49

US may extend its pause in lifting import tariffs — Trump

President Donald Trump said that we'll have to see what happens at that time, answering the question whether the three-month pause announced on April 9 may be extended at the end of that period

Putin begins meeting with US special envoy — Kremlin

The sides are to discuss the normalization of ties between Moscow and Washington and some aspects of the Ukrainian settlement

CIS foreign ministers meeting approves border cooperation program for rest of decade

According to a TASS correspondent, the draft of a program for medium-term cooperation was approved at an expanded session of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council

Unlike Europe, US shows willingness to understand root causes of Ukraine conflict — Lavrov

The foreign minister emphasized that US leader Donald Trump had repeatedly made public remarks stating that "incorporating Ukraine into NATO was a mistake that played a crucial role in the current events, even though Moscow had been warning about it for years"

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: US and China launch trade war while Russia and the US hold new talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 10th

Yesterday, 20:56

Expansion of cooperation between Russia, US not discussed in Istanbul — State Department

According to spokesperson Tammy Bruce, it is a technical meeting

Yesterday, 13:07

Russia to harshly respond to Japan's participation in supplying Kiev with weapons — MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that any steps by Japan to directly or indirectly participate in supplying Ukraine with arms and military equipment would be regarded as unequivocally hostile

Kallas, EU bodies out of talk on sending troops to Ukraine — UK defense minister

John Healey noted that preparations for a mission in Ukraine were well advanced

Official does not see other than Russophobic candidates running for presidency in Ukraine

According to Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo, the Kiev regime has been blocking attempts in the media to raise the issue of a presidential election

French troops plan operations against Russia on border with Ukraine, Moldova — media

According to Colonel Guillaume Schmidt, the unit's commander, troops need to be prepared to continue combat actions even when satellite signals are jammed

Head of Siemens division and his family died in Hudson River helicopter crash — TV

In addition to the Agustin Escobar family, the 36-year-old pilot was also killed

Yesterday, 20:08

US seeks release of Hubbard, other Americans detained in Russia — State Department

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the US swapped Russian Artur Petrov for Russian-American Ksenia Karelina

German Defense Minister expects no peace in Ukraine in foreseeable future

The Bundestag had previously approved the disbursement of €11 billion until 2029 to assist Kiev, in addition to the already promised aid

Iran, US can come to terms if only demand is Tehran giving up nuclear weapons — MFA

According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi, if all participants in the talks in Oman demonstrate the necessary political will, a new agreement could be reached

Yesterday, 10:49

Ukrainian troops trapped between Dzerzhinsk and Dimitrov in Donetsk region, says DPR

Russian forces have made considerable gains in the area of Sukhaya Balka, including the settlements of Aleksandropol, Panteleymonovka and Valentinovka where Ukrainian troops are under intense pressure

Yesterday, 17:02

Out of US prison, Russia’s Petrov says he misses home in a video from security agency

The video also shows Arthur Petrov getting off the plane by airstairs after landing in Russia

Yesterday, 11:01

EU cracks down on dissent, defies democracy it once lectured Russia on — Kremlin

"They are departing from the very standards of democracy they have long proclaimed and sought to impart to other nations, including us," Dmitry Peskov said

Lavrov to discuss preparations for 80th Victory Day anniversary with CIS counterparts

The agenda will also include issues related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the strengthening of border security

Iranian president asks Khamenei to change his position on talks with US — newspaper

According to the report, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei set some conditions for talks

Air traffic between Russia, US should resume if sanctions on Aeroflot lifted — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister assured that Moscow would continue to work with Washington on the matter of restoring air connections

Ukraine’s military attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with over 75 UAVs in past day

A civilian was injured in a drone attack on the Striguny-Novoaleksandrovka road section

Yesterday, 15:41

Russia stresses priority of diplomatic property return in US — ambassador

Alexander Darchiev underlined that "the sides showed their mutual readiness to work on a corresponding roadmap"

Yesterday, 12:52

Russian-US consultations conclude in Istanbul after almost six hours

The meeting ended without any press statements

Yesterday, 17:35

Ansar Allah leader says US could not weaken Houthi military capabilities

"The Americans could neither ensure secure navigation for the Israeli adversary, nor halt projectile and drone attacks against it," the Houthi leader stressed

UK considers deploying troops to Ukraine for five years

According to the plan under discussion in London and Paris, Western forces may be sent to Ukraine following a settlement of the conflict, acting as a "deterrent force" purportedly to prevent the resumption of hostilities

Russian soldiers in Guyevo were confronted by Ukrainian elite units

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that units from the battle group North had liberated Guyevo

Yesterday, 17:22

Western countries know nothing about democracy — Lukashenko

"No matter how much the Americans, the French, and others try to pretend otherwise, they’re not just spreading propaganda – it goes beyond that," the Belarusian leader stressed

Yesterday, 16:13

US duties against China increased to 145% — CNBC

According to the source, 125% import duties in respect of Chinese products announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday do not account the 20% tariff set earlier by the US leader for allegedly insufficient efforts of Canadian, Mexican and Chinese governments in combating fentanyl spread

Lavrov promises access to alternative payment platforms to non-members of BRICS

"There is an opportunity to form payment platforms independent of external influence, one example being the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia," the Russian foreign minister said

Yesterday, 20:24

Helicopter crashes into river in New York — police

At least six people have died, the Associated Press news agency reported

US exploits Zelensky to gain access to minerals, then kicks him to curb — Russian MFA

"Zelensky’s curators used him and are now wiping their dirty and blood-covered hands of him," Maria Zakharova wrote

US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Russia — Kremlin spokesman

The Kremlin would provide information in due course if Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Steven Witkoff, Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 18:01

Apple ships 1.5 mln iPhones out of India to avoid US tariffs — Reuters

According to sources, Apple has chartered six cargo planes to ship 600 tons of gadgets

Yesterday, 20:55

US may banish Chinese companies from American stock exchanges — Fox Business journalist

Shares of more than 300 Chinese companies are traded on the American stock exchanges, including Alibaba, Sinopec, JD.com and NetEase

The Times says UK deeply involved in Ukrainian conflict

The newspaper said that the country’s military specialists were secretly deployed to Ukraine in order to equip airplanes with the missiles and train Ukrainians in their use

RDIF CEO Dmitriyev meets with Trump’s envoy Witkoff in St. Petersburg

Kirill Dmitriyev had accompanied the US Special Presidential Envoy to his car before both departed

Yesterday, 10:57

Kremlin dismisses Zelensky’s accusations of Russia dragging China into Ukraine conflict

"China has always maintained a very balanced position," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 19:37

Belarusian president calls US-China tensions 'explosive'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia, as part of the Union State, need to keep their eyes on other conflicts as well

Plane in Washington Airport clips another aircraft with members of Congress on board

According to the airline, the first aircraft was carrying four crew members and 76 passengers, while the second had four crew members and 67 passengers on board

Judge orders release of 11 Russians detained in Tunisia — lawyer

According to attorney Olfa Hajri, they have been officially released

Iran to respond to any attack with full force, ambassador to Moscow says

According to Kazem Jalali, if it is the path of discussions on the terms that will respect Iran’s dignity and our red lines, then Tehran will certainly engage in talks

Yesterday, 23:05

Gold futures climb above $3,200 per troy ounce, first time since April 2

By 1:48 a.m. Moscow time, gold had extended its gains, trading at $3,212 per ounce, a 2.24% increase

China’s foreign minister blasts US ‘arbitrary’ moves at meeting with IAEA chief

Wang Yi called for preventing humanity from "returning to the jungle world"

Yesterday, 11:56

Russian troops liberate over 4 sq km near Zaporozhye Region's Kamenskoye — politician

Vladimir Rogov said that the Russian forces are holding the initiative, and the advance continues

Xi Jinping to visit Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia on April 14-18

Chinese leader will visit Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh at the invitation of Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni

Ukraine sustaining `colossal casualties’ in Oleshnya in Kursk region — security officer

The Ukrainian army has been struggling to control sectors of the settlement of Oleshnya toward which a group of paratroopers from near Yunakovka had been dispatched

China to increase duties on US goods from 84% to 125% starting April 12 — committee

Washington's excessive duties on Chinese products are "a significant violation of international trade and economic regulations", the Tariff Committee of the State Council of China stated

Minsk calls statements about possible plans to attack neighboring countries insinuations

"All those insinuations that are being widely spread on the Internet today, that Belarus is ready to attack neighboring countries, are nothing more than propaganda," Pavel Muraveiko said

Yesterday, 15:33

Trump's trade wars will strengthen 'economic symbiosis' of Russia and China — envoy

Boris Titov noted that Donald Trump has put the trade war with the entire world on hold, focusing on the confrontation with China

Kremlin explains closed nature of Putin-Witkoff meeting

Dmitry Peskov that after the greeting in the presence of the media, the sides immediately proceeded to the talks