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Russian stock indices mixed as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

The yuan exchange rate fell by 2 kopecks to 11.354 rubles

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The MOEX index edged up by 0.04% to 2,944.43 points at the end of the main trading session on Thursday, while the dollar-denominated RTS index fell by 0.55% to 1,119.49 points. The yuan exchange rate fell by 2 kopecks to 11.354 rubles.

"The MOEX index moved up and down on Thursday. During the day, the benchmark managed to reach 2,973 points. Despite the delays, the negotiation process to resolve the Ukrainian conflict is developing, and this maintains optimistic sentiments. In addition, the previous evening, positive data from the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) on consumer price growth rates was released," said Alexander Shepelev, an expert on the stock market at BCS World of Investments.

The leaders of growth by the end of the session were shares of the PIK Group (+6.24%), KAMAZ securities (+3.03%), Samolyot shares (+2.11%) and Moscow Exchange shares (+1.8%).

"The leaders of growth on the stock market were shares of the developer PIK, apparently in anticipation of tomorrow's announcement of the Bank of Russia's decision on the key rate," says Natalya Milchakova, leading analyst at Freedom Finance Global.

The leaders of decline by the end of the session were shares of Mosenergo (-1.83%), shares of MKB (-1.62%) and securities of Pharmsintez (-0.94%).

The forecast of BCS World of Investments for the MOEX index for Friday is 2,900-3,000 points.

Freedom Finance Global expects that on April 25 the MOEX index will be in the range of 2,900 - 3,000 points. The yuan exchange rate will fluctuate in the range of 11.1-11.6 rubles. The dollar exchange rate will be around 82-84 rubles, and the euro rate will be around 93-95 rubles.

One airline company interested in operating direct flights between Russia, Malaysia

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Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul geared toward war, not peace — Russian envoy

"The makeup of the delegation itself is showing that Ukraine is most likely getting ready to discuss the issues related to a ceasefire regime and will in every way try to ignore the issues related to the broader political settlement," Rodion Miroshnik said

History shows wars are fought as peace talks continue — chief Russian negotiator

Vladimir Medinsky cited several historical examples of when negotiations took place while the war was not over

Ukrainian chief negotiator confirms plans to exchange ceasefire documents with Russia

"All the modalities were discussed," he said when asked whether the issue of when a potential ceasefire could be announced and how long it would last

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Russia’s agricultural exports to Qatar increase fourfold over last five years — ministry

According to the Economic Development Ministry, in 2024, Russian exports to Qatar grew by 75%, largely owing to increases in shipments of wheat and barley

Good results of Russia-Ukraine talks would not be possible without Trump — Dmitriev

Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, their first since 2022, were held in Istanbul on May 16, lasting nearly two hours

West uses Ukrainians as cannon fodder in pursuing geopolitical goals — foreign intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the crisis of the Western-centered world has primarily affected the system of values

Expert says full trade embargo against Russia would cause serious problems for EU

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The Belarusian president said that the countries were not going to attack anyone, contrary to what some people think

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"Everyone, of course, is talking about Ukraine right now due to the intrigue that is unfolding in Istanbul," the Russian foreign minister said

China’s army ready to bolster strategic ties with Russia for sake of stability — top brass

Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Bin added that Chinese-Russian cooperation was becoming more substantive

Trump says he could use sanctions against Russia if necessary but would rather not do it

Earlier, US President threatened to impose new tariffs and sanctions on Russian exports if the conflict in Ukraine was not resolved in the near future

Russian combat helicopter wipes out Bradley IFV, Ukrainian army’s ferry with one missile

As its specific feature, the Izdeliye-305 missile developed by the High-Precision Systems Holding Company is maximally protected against enemy jamming

Plane presumably carrying Russian delegation takes off from Istanbul — service

The flight took off at 7:57 p.m. Moscow time

Russian MP and party leader hails resumption of talks between Russia, Ukraine

According to Leonid Slutsky, issues of a ceasefire are still on the table

Important to reiterate Gomel agreements to Kiev — head of Russian delegation to Istanbul

Vladimir Medinsky noted that the Istanbul process was already tougher with regard to realities on the ground than what was proposed in Gomel

Battlegroup West destroys 40 UAV control points, eight Starlink stations of Ukraine

The battlegroup also destroyed three Ukrainian field ammunition depots

Agenda of Russia-Afghanistan dialogue included rare earth metals discussion — Deputy PM

Alexey Overchuk drew attention to the fact that "Russia has all the necessary competencies to conduct geological exploration"

West frightened by arrival of Russian delegation in Istanbul — Russian Foreign Ministry

"It’s high time for the West to cease this hysteria, regain composure, and bring their puppets in Kiev to the negotiating table," Maria Zakharova concluded

Ukrainian army demoralized by Russia’s successes on battlefields near Donetsk — expert

Yan Gagin added that Russian servicemen continue to fulfill their combat missions to liberate communities in the DPR

Ukraine conflict cannot be ended militarily, talks needed — Erdogan

"We are determined to continue our mediation role to end this war," Turkish president said

Russian, Ukrainian delegations interacted in Russian in Istanbul — source

As reported earlier on Friday, the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the spring of 2022 had kicked off in Istanbul

Russia opens first warehouse distribution hub ‘Made in Russia’ in China

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Robinson helicopter makes hard landing in Moscow Region, pilot unhurt

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Press review: Russia, Ukraine prepared for negotiations as US aims to deepen OPEC+ ties

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Analyst sees loss of Ukraine’s another F-16 as blow to reputation of its Air Force

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Turkish foreign minister describes current stage of settlement in Ukraine as critical

Hakan Fidan highlighted the steadfast commitment of the parties to peace

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Ukrainian troops practically dislodged from Bogatyr in south Donetsk region — expert

The Ukrainian army lost a large number of personnel dead and wounded in that frontline area

US to discuss pulling troops out of Europe this year — US Permanent Representative to NATO

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The Russia-Ukraine talks opened with words of greeting from Turkey’s top diplomat Hakan Fidan

Kiev recognizes Russia's swap proposal makes sense — MFA

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Major prisoner swap meaningful step in talks between Moscow, Kiev — Vucic

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ICC prosecutor Khan takes leave amid sexual misconduct probe — Reuters

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Next round of Russia-Ukraine talks to focus on ceasefire framework, Russian MP predicts

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Umerov says work on Istanbul negotiations continues

"We have discussed a cease-fire, we are working further," the Ukrainian newspaper Strana quoted head of the Ukrainian delegation

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Moscow expects OHCHR to wake up to persecution of Russian media in West

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First batch of 2,000 Gepard kamikaze drones arrives for Russian troops

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"The Iranian authorities have to move quickly, or something bad's going to happen," Donald Trump said

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Rustem Umerov did not specify the date of the swap

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Marco Rubio noted that the situation around the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict remained complicated

Russian envoy questions point of Putin-Zelensky summit without framework agreement

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Russia to prepare list of ceasefire terms, hand it over to Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the specific content of the document would not be disclosed, as the negotiation process remains confidential

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Serbia, US have ‘historic’ opportunity to strengthen ties — PM

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Culture Minister Lyubimova to attend Leo XIV's inaugural mass on Russia's behalf

More than 150 delegations are expected to attend

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Israeli army announces extensive strikes, planned expansion of operations in Gaza Strip

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Russian embassy points to London’s wish to disrupt Ukraine talks

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Kremlin refuses to comment on alleged Istanbul negotiation terms

"Negotiations are taking place behind closed doors, just as they should - to ensure they are productive," Dmitry Peskov noted

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Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey represent ‘tactical win’ for Moscow — report

The NYT said the Trump administration is feeling disillusioned due to a lack of progress in the efforts to achieve peace

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US legislators renew calls to pass anti-Russia sanctions after talks — Reuters

It has not been indicated when corresponding bills might be brought up for a vote

French, European threats not to alter Russia’s stance on Istanbul talks — ambassador

"European nations won’t change anything," Alexey Meshkov said

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Russian prisoners need medical care after torture in Ukraine — lawmaker

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Kiev can run out of munitions in four months if Washington cuts off supplies — Bloomberg

"The European Union is incapable of filling the gap," Bloomberg opinion columnist Max Hastings said

Russia ready to consider applications from UAE airlines to operate flights — ministry

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Russia’s stance at Ukraine negotiations shifted due to changes on ground — Zakharova

The diplomat noted that the Ukrainian territory diminishes every time the Kiev regime disrupts the negotiating process

One killed, nine wounded in Israel’s strikes on Yemen — Houthi health ministry

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Ukrainian POWs may not want to leave good treatment in Russia to come back home — lawmaker

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Six Russian tech companies present their developments at KazanForum — ASI

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Israeli defense minister threatens to eliminate Houthi leader

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Moscow says Ukraine needs to step away from microphone, come to negotiating table

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Israeli Air Force announces UAV interception

Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol, the IDF press service added

Istanbul 2.0 signals a losing game for Zelensky, even if he skips talks — politician

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Ukrainian drone kills man riding bike in Belgorod Region

The governor Vyacheslav Gladkov expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased

Trump's Russia slant on display during Istanbul talks — expert

Arnaud Dubien noted that the US President did not allow Zelensky to "slam the door" on talks, defending the composition of the Russian delegation that arrived in Istanbul, despite Ukrainian criticism of Moscow

Putin, Turkmenistan’s national leader hold phone call to discuss ties — Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly congratulated each other on the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War

Orban believes Ukraine agreement to follow Putin-Trump meeting

"It could only be reached if President Trump continues his peaceful initiative," the premier added

Ukraine loses another F-16 fighter jet — Air Force

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Ministers of Libya’s Government of National Unity seeking resignation amid protests

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Negotiations between Putin and Trump, not with Zelensky, needed for peace in Ukraine — MP

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PREVIEW: Over 100 Russian producers participating in ‘Made in Russia’ festival in China

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One airline company interested in operating direct flights between Russia, Malaysia

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Turkey believes Russia-Ukraine talks were better than expected — CNN

When the discussion seemed to reach a stalemate a prisoner exchange was offered

West fears that pro-Russian forces could come to power in Ukraine — Polish minister

"We can’t allow the situation that happened after the "orange revolution" on the Maidan to repeat itself," Wladysіaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said

Russia’s delegation in Istanbul in constant contact with president — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the president receives all information online

Belarusian leader Lukashenko thanks Russia for help in training country’s troops

"They sit side by side in the classroom, learning the same things," he continued

Kiev must release pro-Russian civilians alongside POWs — Kherson governor

"It is important that the initiative to exchange prisoners was voiced," Vladimir Saldo said

Lavrov calls Zelensky "nothing man" for demanding Putin come to Istanbul

The Russian foreign minister recalled that Zelensky made some statements demanding that Putin attend in person

Russia, Ukraine held talks, agreeing to swap captives and meet again. Here’s what we know

The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks and Moscow is ready to continue communication

Kiev terminates customs cooperation agreement with Moscow

The agreement was originally signed in 1993 in Kiev