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More US companies to participate in SPIEF 2026 than 3 years ago — AmCham Russia

Robert Agee, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, noted that this is still less than five years ago

MINERALNYE VODY, April 29. /TASS/. A larger number of US companies plan to participate in the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum than three years ago, though the figure remains lower than five years ago, Robert Agee, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham Russia), told TASS on the sidelines of the Caucasus Investment Forum.

"They will definitely [participate]. We will have a commercial dialogue between Russia and America. <…> We are creating discussions between people from America and Russia about how to rebuild our cultural ties," he said.

Speaking on the scale of US business participation in SPIEF 2026, Agee noted it is "much lower" compared to previous years. "It's much lower now. It's good that some companies are participating. More than three years ago, but much less than five years ago. Businesses are still cautious," the head of AmCham Russia added.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will be held on June 3-6, 2026.

The Caucasus Investment Forum is taking place on April 28-30 at the MinvodyExpo International Exhibition Center in the Stavropol Region.

The forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian Government, the Economic Development Ministry and the Government of the Stavropol Region. TASS is the forum’s media partner.

UAE's exit from OPEC could unsettle African oil market — portal

According to the portal, once production quotas are lifted, the United Arab Emirates could increase output by more than 40%, which will intensify competition in markets supplied by higher-cost producers, including countries in sub-Saharan Africa

Russian president to meet with leader of Republic of Congo

The two leaders will discuss the development of friendly Russian-Congolese relations

IN BRIEF: What we know about consequences of drone attack on Tuapse refinery

On Russian President Vladimir Putin's instructions, Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov flew to the Krasnodar Region to control the extinguishing of a fire at the oil refinery

Archaeologist Butyagin’s release: what we know about swap on Belarusian-Polish border

Alexander Butyagin was detained in Poland on December 4, 2025

Zaporozhye plant de jure, de facto belongs to Russia, no one else — director

According to Yury Chernichuk, an object like a nuclear power plant cannot have two gods or two masters

Orban’s resignation exposes EU doubts over Ukraine’s membership — media

The article states that European leaders now "can no longer hide behind Hungary’s veto"

Industrial site in Russia’s Perm Region ablaze as air defenses down 98 UAVs overnight

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, drones were shot down over the Astrakhan, Belgorod, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov, and Saratov Regions, and Crimea

Sanctions against Russian businessmen affect even distant relatives — Putin

The Russian economy is operating in the environment of serious external challenges for many years, including the difficult economic situation, illegitimate sanctions and certain other adverse circumstances, the Russian leader noted

US strikes on Iran prompt strong opposition from many nations — Chinese experts

Deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies Dong Manyuan pointed out that "despite signs of war fatigue on both sides, reaching an agreement on core issues still appears to take time, and neither party has yet reached the point of making final concessions"

Ukraine’s Tuapse attack must make NATO states see they are funding terrorists — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that NATO’s Black Sea member states must collectively share responsibility for the alliance's decision to supply weapons to Vladimir Zelensky’s regime

Putin warns of growing terror threat in Russia

That is why, in his words, today’s agenda includes a range of issues of improving the anti-terrorism system and ensuring people’s security

Kiev building multi-layered defense line near Kursk border area — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the enemy is laying minefields and setting up decoy positions

US pushed UAE to exit OPEC to pressure Saudi Arabia — expert

According to Mauricio Esteves, the situation points to a deep crisis within OPEC among Persian Gulf countries

The National Interest ranks Russia’s T-72 as world’s top tank

The United States’ M1 Abrams tanks rank second on the list, and Israel’s Merkava V is third

Liberating Ilyinovka in DPR, Russian troops push into Dolgaya Balka — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, intense clashes are ongoing west of Konstantinovka

Zelensky provoking nuclear conflict, not seeking peace — Zakharova

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman pointed to Vladimir Zelensky’s earlier remarks that Ukraine should be given both NATO membership and nuclear weapons as security guarantees

IRGC calls for US Air Force chief to resign after aircraft downed in Iran

The IRGC Navy also congratulated the air defense forces of the Islamic republic’s army on intercepting an US F-15E fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft in the skies over Iran

United States, allies use OPCW in pursuit of geopolitical aims — Russian Security Council

According to the statement, Washington and its allies continue to purposefully use the organization as a tool to preserve their notorious "rules-based international order"

Russia sees no tangible results from work of Board of Peace — envoy to UN

On January 22, 19 countries signed the Charter of the Board of Peace, established as part of a peaceful settlement in the Gaza Strip

Argentina’s leader sees Europe on brink of extermination because of its policies

According to Javier Milei, Europe was clearly faced with self-inflicted problems and tried to fix those by "importing people"

Trump 'kills' Ukraine's NATO hopes — media

The article states that former US President Joe Biden was already skeptical about Kiev’s accession to the alliance

Russia-Congo relations have great potential — Putin

According to the head of state, Russian companies are showing the desire to work in the Congo market

Trump blasts Merz for position on Iran, blames him for Germany’s woes

The US president says that if Iran gets nuclear weapons, "the whole World would be held hostage"

Russian envoy to Netherlands slams transfer of Scythian gold to Kiev as 'theft'

Moscow won’t just stand by and watch that happen, Vladimir Tarabrin said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Battlegroup North and Battlegroup South units gained control of settlements of the same name - Novodmitrovka, in the Sumy Region and in the DPR

Press review: Russia ready to resume Ukraine talks in Middle East as UAE plans OPEC exit

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 29th

Russia developing new UAVs to combat Ukrainian drones — Officers of Russia

Alexander Mikhailov noted that Russian technologies are "improving very rapidly"

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Press review: Putin, Araghchi hold talks as Mali war challenges Russia’s Africa Corps

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 28th

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Ukrainian drones target industrial sites in Russia’s Orenburg Region, no injuries reported

The local authorities introduced airspace restrictions due to a drone threat

Iran gives US new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — media

The new proposal was given to the US via Pakistani mediators

Su-47 Berkut successfully serves as flying laboratory — Sukhoi Design Bureau chief pilot

According to Sergey Bogdan, the technological solutions used in the development of the Berkut cargo compartments were later successfully applied in the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter

UAE’s exit from OPEC to eventually lead to lower oil prices — Chinese expert

Sun Degang, director of the Middle East Studies Center at Fudan University, says that the UAE may increase oil production and release additional capacity

Kremlin spokesman comments on oil facility fire, plans for Victory Day parade in briefing

The massive fire on the Tuapse oil facility resulted from a Ukrainian drone attack, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia demands investigation into security threats against peacekeepers in Lebanon from UN

Vasily Nebenzya says that the perpetrators must receive punishment regardless of their status

FACTBOX: What is known about UAE's decision to quit OPEC, OPEC+

According to the Emirates state news agency, the UAE's decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+ "reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile"

US administration considers option of declaring end to Iran war — Reuters

According to sources cited by the news agency, US intelligence services are analyzing "how Iran would respond" if the US president declares a unilateral victory

Local election commission premises destroyed after Ukraine’s attack on LPR

The commission’s IT administrator received a light wound

UAE's withdrawal from OPEC stems from its desire to profit from excess capacity — expert

Nabil Jaafar Al-Marsoumi emphasized that "it cannot be ruled out that this move by the UAE will undermine the efforts of OPEC and OPEC+ to control and regulate oil supplies and adjust production in line with global demand"

Russia to view F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine as threat in nuclear sphere — Lavrov

"During combat operations, our military will not be clearing out whether or not each particular jet of this class is equipped to carry nuclear weapons," the minister added

Liberation of Ilyinovka in Donetsk region gives access to Konstantinovka urban area

Ilyinovka had been a major defensive area of the Ukrainian army and was liberated thanks to well-coordinated operations by Russian reconnaissance units, artillery support and effective actions by unmanned systems teams

Iran to neither surrender nor negotiate under pressure — ambassador to Cairo

Mojtaba Ferdowsi Pour says that Tehran does not plan to discuss its missile program or the so-called "Axis of Resistance" during negotiations with the US

Detainee in Crimea admits planning attack on senior police officer — Russia’s FSB

The man explained that he had agreed to work for Kiev in exchange for money

Portuguese prime minister supports idea of inviting Putin to G20 summit — Politico

Luis Montenegro noted that dialogue with Russia is essential for resolving ongoing conflicts

UAE's withdrawal from OPEC could deal blow to Saudi Arabia, benefit Trump — news outlet

The UAE’s decision to withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ will deal a significant blow primarily to Saudi Arabia

Iran does not consider war with US, Israel to be over — army

Islamic Republic Army Spokesman Mohammad Akraminiya noted that the conditions are still considered wartime

No payment received by Iran for Japanese tanker’s passage through Strait of Hormuz

Sources in the Japanese government told the newspaper Nikkei that this was made possible thanks to negotiations with the Iranian side

US Congress Democrats may sue Trump over operation in Iran — Time

The newspaper reports that under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the US president had 60 days to continue military action without legislative approval, that is, until May 1

Russia plans to increase military-technical cooperation with India — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also said Russia plans to continue increasing oil exports to India

Indian tycoon Ambani offers to rescue Escobar's 'cocaine hippos', bring them to India

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Astronaut Deniz Burnham to fly on ISS-76 mission with Russian cosmonauts

Dmitry Petelin will be the commander of the Soyuz MS, while Konstantin Borisov and Deniz Burnham will serve as the ship's flight engineers

Up to 700,000 young people left Ukraine in past eight months — lawmaker

General mobilization was announced in Ukraine in February 2022 and has been extended several times since

US president instructs aides to prepare for prolonged blockade of Iran — WSJ

According to sources cited by the newspaper, Donald Trump believes that other options, such as resuming bombing or exiting the conflict, carry greater risks

Iran decides to end US aggression once and for all — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh emphasized that the United States has consistently failed to acknowledge the shifts within Iran and the realities on the ground

Economy is basis for solving tasks in defense sphere

Vladimir Putin stressed the need of safeguarding legitimate interests of domestic entrepreneurs

US prepares plan for ‘short, powerful’ wave of strikes against Iran — news outlet

According to the report, Washington has effectively rejected Tehran’s proposed three-stage plan, under which Iran is ready to negotiate with the US

Drone war not causing stalemate on front — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that Ukraine became a testing ground for the West

Putin sees West losing its dominance, giving way to new growth centers

The Russian leader added that modern global challenges require a joint response and collective efforts

Russia prepared for settlement, but Kiev not in position to dictate terms — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova separately says that Moscow does not have high hopes for dialogue with the US

Kiev resorts to nuclear blackmail with West’s approval — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova recalled that Ukrainian militants, who invaded Russia’s borderline Kursk Region two years ago, planned to seize the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant and plant bombs there

Extremely unstable global situation, arms suppliers to Kiev: Belousov's statements

The production and logistics chains for Western arms supplies to Kiev are being closely monitored and exposed to the general public, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said

By taking Taratutino Russian army penetrates 7 km deep into Ukrainian defenses — expert

The area around Taratutino represents the most significant advancement in Russia's military operations within the Sumy Region

Iran continued to produce UAVs even during war with US, Israel — army

According to army representative Mohammad Akraminia, if the United States and Israel commit aggression again and endanger Iran's security, they will definitely face a tougher response than before

What we know about detention of Russian man for plotting terror attacks in Crimea

FSB officers detained a Russian man, who plotted terrorist attacks in Crimea using improvised explosive devices under the direction of Ukraine’s special services, the FSB revealed

Mali declares failure of Western media campaign

Vice President of the country's Transitional Council Defense Commission Fousseynou Ouattara says that the population took to the streets in Bamako, Kati, and other cities to confront well-armed terrorists with bare hands

Kiev starts using new types of radar at Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

In addition, the Russian military have noticed the enemy's use of an American mobile electronic countermeasure and electronic warfare station AN/TPQ-36 near Izhevka, Andrey Marochko said

Ukraine’s use of chemical weapons, Russia's evidence: statements by envoy to OPCW

Vladimir Tarabrin emphasized that intensive consultations were underway on a possible visit of OPCW experts to Russia

No systemic risks, cryptocurrency, and key rate decision: Nabiullina’s statements

The Bank of Russia chief noted that the regulator did not see any risks to the financial stability of the economy

Putin calls for closer attention to security during elections in borderline regions

Relevant measures need to be taken based on the current situation, he said at a government meeting on security issues during the upcoming elections

Putin calls for ensuring security during upcoming elections in Russia

Our priority is to ensure security to all participants in the elections -candidates, election commission members, observers, and the tens of millions of people who will come to polling stations to cast their votes, he stressed

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Russian forces push Ukrainian military 2 km away from border — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, by developing success in the Kharkov direction, the Russian military is forming a buffer zone at the junction with the Belgorod border area

Moscow Military District’s counter-UAV center trains over thousand specialists

The center trains cadets with combat experience, as well as service members who have signed their first contract with the Russian Army’s Unmanned Systems Forces

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian troops struck energy infrastructure sites used by the Ukrainian army and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Coup attempt thwarted in Mali: Russian Defense Ministry’s statements

Approximately 12,000 militants were involved in the attempted coup

Ukraine publishes recordings of Mindich discussing defense contracts, luxury homes

According to the report, National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Secretary Rustem Umerov and the businessman discussed the potential sale of a 33% stake in a company

Liberation of Ilyinovka allows Russian troops to encircle enemy in DPR — expert

The Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of Ilyinovka on April 28

FT calls UAE's withdrawal from OPEC big blow for cartel and Saudi Arabia

According to the article, it will be possible to fully assess the consequences of the step after the resumption of energy transportation through the Strait of Hormuz

Putin tells Trump he is ready to declare Victory Day ceasefire — aide

Yury Ushakov said the US president "spoke positively of the Easter ceasefire, recently announced by Russia"

Russia at UN calls on Israel to comply with its obligations on Syria

Vasily Nebenzya says that "the political wisdom and strategic restraint of Damascus" should not be confused with weakness

Russia’s marine sniper team repels Ukrainian shrapnel drone attack — soldier

According to the commander of a marine sniper squad from the 61st Guards Marine Brigade, call sign "Budda," in the course of just a few hours, the servicemen shot down seven Ukrainian drones packed with anti-personnel shrapnel

Authorities have situation in Mali fully under control — president

Assimi Goita called on citizens not to give in to attempts by hostile forces to divide society

Mirotvorets site’s Western trace and silencing crimes against media: Nebenzya’s statements

Against the backdrop of deteriorating freedom of access to information, the Kiev regime is clamping down on what information its people take in, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted

OPEC to have smaller influence on global oil prices after UAE withdrawal

Saudi Arabia is now left doing more of the heavy lifting on price stability, and the market loses one of the few shock absorbers it had left, he added

Press review: EU backs Ukraine loan, adds Russia sanctions as France denies nukes to EU

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 23rd

Foreigners rightfully recognize Russia’s T-72 as best tank in world — expert

"The T-72 is recognized as the most mass-produced second-generation tank and is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records," Sergey Suvorov said

Norwegian professor sees Zelensky as tool of foreign powers

Glenn Diesen predicted that "the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians will celebrate the day" Zelensky leaves office

UAE may also leave GCC after exiting OPEC — expert

According to Karen Young, the war against Iran showed that mutual defense has failed

Donbass Dome reduces risk of Ukrainian AI-powered 'Martian' UAV attacks — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that reports, photos, and videos of neutralized drones are published weekly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system

US senator accuses Pentagon of unwillingness to transfer $400 million in aid to Ukraine

Mitch McConnell blamed Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby for the delay in providing assistance to Kiev

First LNG tanker since start of Iran conflict passes through Strait of Hormuz — agency

According to Bloomberg, the Liberian-flagged tanker Mubaraz loaded a cargo from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s Das Island facility in the UAE

Kinzhal missiles strike terror into Ukrainian troops — Russian security source

The source said the missile’s speed is Mach 10, and air defense systems, including the American Patriot systems, cannot react in time

Russian volunteer regiment destroys 10 Ukrainian drones via ram

The targets included Bulava, Mini Shark, Leleka-100, and Domakha drones

Ukraine strengthens fortifications on border with Belarus

According to Andrey Demchenko, spokesman for the Ukrainian Border Service, units of intelligence agencies, the Defense Ministry, and the State Border Service are closely monitoring developments in Belarus

Stubb says Europe-Russia dialogue to happen eventually

According to the Finnish president, the key question remains whether there will be a resumption of dialogue with Moscow before the end of the conflict in Ukraine or after that

Putting the Western hemisphere on notice, nuclear deterrence: Pentagon chief’s remarks

The United States is ready to conduct military operations in the Western Hemisphere if they are necessary to promote US interests, Pete Hegseth said

UAE’s decision to quit OPEC seen as serious blow to Arab countries’ solidarity — expert

Khalil Jahshan, Executive Director of Arab Center Washington DC, said he would view this as "the first expression of the economic and political fallout from the Iran war on the Arab side of the Gulf"

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

US ready to use military force in Western hemisphere — Pentagon chief

According to Pete Hegseth, "after years of neglect, the United States will restore US military dominance in the Western hemisphere"