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EBRD downgrades outlook on Russia’s GDP growth for 2026 to 0.5%

The 2026 forecast for Russia’s economic growth has been revised down by 0.3 percentage points relative to the previous forecast published in June

LONDON, September 24. /TASS/. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has downgraded its outlook on Russia’s GDP growth for 2026 to half a percent, according to the Bank’s Regional Economic Prospects report.

The 2026 forecast for Russia’s economic growth has been revised down by 0.3 percentage points relative to the previous forecast published in June. The 2027 outlook has also been revised down by 0.3 percentage points to 0.7%.

According to the report, Russia’s "external position has remained robust on the back of higher oil prices," though defense spending has been increasing.

Russia has been a member of the EBRD since 1992. The London-headquartered bank suspended investment in Russian projects after the European Union and the Unites States imposed sanctions against Moscow in 2014.

World oil prices

Price of Brent oil up above $106 per barrel on ICE first since September 17

As of 11:08 a.m. Moscow time, the Brent price was up by 1.88% at $105.02 per barrel

Russia’s industrial output flat in January-August 2026 — statistics service

The highest year-on-year growth rates were recorded in the manufacture of transport equipment, including aircraft and shipbuilding in the reporting period

Russian air defenses down 35 Ukrainian drones during daytime

On-duty air defense forces intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over seven Russian regions

New US sanctions not to affect India’s oil purchases from Russia — expert

India will negotiate with the US from a position of strength and that strength will see that President Trump gives waiver to India, Professor at the School of International Relations at Nalanda University Arvind Kumar emphasized

New projects to export gas to China being actively advanced — Russian MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that Russia and China have long developed robust energy cooperation that is becoming increasingly stronger each year

Erdogan tells Zelensky attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea 'unacceptable'

The Turkish president emphasized that steps must be taken to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea

Zelensky arrives in US hoping to push for halt in strikes — expert

Alexander Stepanov of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration says the Kiev regime urgently needs a respite rather than seeking full-scale peace talks

Russia-US new Summit Talks initiative not on agenda — US Secretary of State Rubio

According to the US State Secretary, a lot of work has to be done before such a meeting could take place and yield a result

Trump keeps Kiev concessions secret, says deal with Russia coming

The meeting with Zelensky took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly

St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures begins for eighth time

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said earlier that this year the number of participants reached 2,500, excluding the youth program

Grossi delayed visit to ZNPP amid security threats from Kiev — diplomat

Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said the IAEA Director General and members of his team planned to visit the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in late August

Ex-Ukrainian soldiers fighting alongside Russians capture group of Ukrainian servicemen

The Maxim Krivonos Battalion was formed three years ago from former Ukrainian servicemen

IN BRIEF: Foiling official's motorcade bombing, Kiev agent detention in Crimea

Moscow resident was a member of a terrorist organization, while 18-year-old Kerch resident was detained on suspicion of treason

Digital ruble launch went in line with plan — Bank of Russia’s Chief

Elvira Nabiullina said that citizens and businesses now have a new, additional tool for payments and settlements

IN BRIEF: What is known about Hungary’s refusal to join Carpathian Eight

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar noted that while Hungary had been invited, it did not participate in the initiative, citing "valid reasons" for the decision

Russian diplomat sees alarming trends of crisis nature within IAEA

Mikhail Ulyanov specified that the organization's General Conference was unable to agree on key technical resolutions for the second consecutive year

Over 400 ships pass through Bab el-Mandeb in 10 days, Houthis say

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works in the Houthi-formed government said that navigation "is proceeding smoothly and safely for international commercial vessels, with the exception of Saudi Arabian ships"

Quest for lasting peace, but no pauses in special operation — Lavrov’s remarks

Ukraine could have remained within the borders of 1991, if Europeans hadn’t engaged in fraud, the minister added

IN BRIEF: Russia's massive strike on defense facilities, logistics centers in Kiev, Odessa

The Defense Ministry specified that the Russian Armed Forces struck an industrial facility in Kiev that manufactured components for long-and medium-range UAVs and prepared ground robotic systems for deployment

Press review: Trump, Zelensky signal Russia deal interest as Moscow eyes fresh US dialogue

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 23rd

No breakthrough in US-Iran contacts yet, but exchange of ideas continues — Rubio

According to the US Secretary of State, the United States always remains open to talking to almost anyone in the world about a conflict, or a crisis, or some disagreement

Russian, Algerian foreign ministers discuss steps to strengthen partnership

The officials also exchanged views on current regional issues

Bank of Russia purchases yuan worth $22 mln with settlements on September 22

The Bank of Russia carries out purchase and sale operations on the domestic market in the currency section of the Moscow Exchange in the yuan-ruble instrument

US, China to extend trade de-escalation arrangements — US Treasury secretary

According to Scott Bessent, the extension of the Busan Agreement will remain in force through January 10 next year

Lavrov, Egyptian foreign minister discuss Persian Gulf crisis — Russian MFA

The sides also discussed the need to maintain the strong momentum of political dialogue and expand trade and economic cooperation

Lavrov holds talks with Rubio in New York

The talks began with no opening remarks for the press and continued in a closed format

Ukrainian troops almost completely driven out of Klinovoye by Russian forces — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian forces are also developing their offensive toward Druzhkovka from the side of Kurtovka

Russia views any military cargo for Kiev as legitimate target — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that Vladimir Zelensky is "touring the world in search of support"

Only Russia acting openly in talks on Ukraine — DPR head

Only Russia is acting consistently, Denis Pushilin said

Lavrov voices support for Cuba amid US blockade at meeting with country’s top diplomat

Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed unwavering support for Havana's legitimate demand for an immediate and complete end to the US trade, economic and financial blockade

Russia opens 137 schools of creative industries in 68 regions

Deputy Culture Minister Zhanna Alekseyeva said the history of Russian cities needs a modern interpretation to attract younger tourists

Russia grateful for Putin invitation to attend G20 summit in US — Kremlin

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Moscow will discuss "the possibility of accepting the invitation" with the American side

Nuclear arms unlikely to be deployed in Lithuania soon despite parliament consent — expert

Ruslan Pankratov said there is a gap between repealing Article 137 and the actual arrival of nuclear weapons on Lithuanian soil

Lavrov holds meeting of CSTO foreign ministers on sidelines of UN General Assembly

The sides stressed "the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the CSTO and the UN"

Russian forces take multi-level approach to striking targets in Ukraine — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that a key aspect of the Russian strikes against Ukraine’s industrial sector is the systematic nature of the elimination of the Kiev regime’s military-industrial potential

Russia’s agriculture exports to Malaysia soar five-fold in January-August 2026

The top three agricultural products by value in the reporting period included rapeseed oil, other agricultural goods and soybean oil

Iran opposes restrictions on access to peaceful nuclear technology — Pezeshkian

The Iranian president emphasized that the issue of the country's nuclear program must be resolved not on the battlefield, but through a mutual agreement

Russian stocks up as main trading session opens

The yuan exchange rate was down by 2.8 kopecks at 12.673 rubles

North Korea’s status as nuclear state to remain irreversible — news agency

Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui commented on the results of a trilateral meeting between the top diplomats of the US, Japan and South Korea, as cited by the Korean Central News Agency

US invites President Putin to G20 Summit in December in Miami — Rubio

The US Secretary of State believes that it is an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to engage not just with the US President but with other world leaders as well

Lavrov begins talks with OSCE secretary-general

The meeting is held behind closed doors at the UN Headquarters

Russia’s weekly inflation at 0.06% on September 15-21 — statistics service

According to Rosstat, consumer prices in Russia have risen by 0.13% since the beginning of September

Lavrov discusses explosive situation in Persian Gulf with Arab League chief

The sides also discussed the crisis situations in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Lebanon and Syria

Russian exports to Egypt up 15.6% to $5.9 bln in January-July

Exports from Russia to Egypt totaled $5.9 billion in the reporting period

Estonian MFA calls talk of Russian attack on NATO unfounded

Estonian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov urged other NATO countries to "calm down"

Kiev uses high-ranking foreign guests as ‘human shields’ — Russian delegate in Vienna

Yuliya Zhdanova recalled that the Moscow had repeatedly warned foreign nationals, including diplomats and their families, of the need to leave Kiev due to the beginning of systematic strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities, command and decision-making centers

Canada prepares for possibility of military invasion by US — prime minister

Mark Carney told The New York Times that the country's authorities had spent the past year on the preparations

Lavrov describes UN General Assembly as key forum for dialogue

The Russian foreign minister and President of the 81th Session of the UN General Assembly Khalilur Rahman "emphasized the need to improve the political climate and restore a mutually respectful dialogue within the framework of this body"

Pakistan Air Force strikes 10 drone launch, storage sites in Afghanistan — minister

Attaullah Tarar said that Afghan drones entered Pakistani airspace on Wednesday

US envoy Whitaker dismisses claims of Russia’s alleged conflict plans against NATO

The US Permanent Representative to NATO urged against overreacting to drone incidents in European countries

United Russia activists to keep criminals away from power in Bryansk

We must say ‘No’ to those who want to deprive our children of their future

Russian air defenses show unmatched efficiency repelling Sept 20 attack on Moscow — expert

Igor Potapov emphasized that this level of effectiveness was achieved through the coordinated performance of the Russian air defense forces, the interaction between the regional and Defense Ministry’s capabilities

Ukrainian delegation holds talks with US envoys on UNGA sidelines

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Lavrov, Syrian foreign minister discuss unresolved crises around republic's borders

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"The main supply route to the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk metropolitan area from the Dnepropetrovsk Region runs through Dobropolye," Denis Pushilin said

India to begin mass production of new laser anti-drone system — newspaper

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There were no casualties

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Russian diplomat slams Trump’s instructions on US nuclear tests as threat to moratorium

Whenever Washington accuses other countries of activity allegedly incompatible with the CTBT, it means that the Americans are once again looking to withdraw from their international commitments, Maria Zakharova noted

Ukrainian army lacks forces to cover front line in Donbass — former Ukrainian soldier

Borzy specified that, despite attempts to maintain the defensive line using drones, the Ukrainian armed forces continue to lose ground

US does not intend to control Venezuelan oil revenues indefinitely — Rubio

According to the US State Secretary, the current mechanism is designed to ensure the money went to benefit the Venezuelan people

Smuggled Western arms from Ukraine end up in Africa, Middle East — Russian envoy

Yulia Zhdanova explained that weapons and military equipment are being transported by sea from Ukraine to countries in the Middle East and Africa via port infrastructure in the Odessa region

Lavrov meets with Rubio on UN General Assembly sidelines

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US fears conflict to ‘metastasize’ beyond Ukraine — Rubio

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China, US need to pave way for peaceful coexistence — Xi

The Chinese president said he hopes "to have an in-depth exchange of views with President Trump on key issues concerning our countries and the global situation"

Limited Ukraine ceasefires cannot lead to settlement — Rubio

The US Secretary of State believes that it still potentially alleviates some of the global pressures

Microsoft ends cooperation with ICC over US sanctions

Lead counsel at the ICC Geert-Jan Alexander Knoops said that the move made the work of lawyers involved in court proceedings more difficult

Lavrov, Lebanese prime minister discuss developments in Middle East

Russia reaffirmed its principled position in support of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of this friendly country

Lavrov jokes about Swiss foreign minister being fired over photo with him

The sides discussed preparations for the ministerial meeting in Lugano, Switzerland, on December 3-4 this year

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s logistics centers, energy facilities, defense enterprises

The Russian Armed Forces also hit a dry cargo ship carrying military supplies en route to the port of Odessa

Oil refineries, ports emerge as main customers for interceptor UAVs — expert

According to Mikhail Filippov, the Ukrainian armed forces have also been targeting facilities that are not included in the list of critical infrastructure, forcing owners to bear additional costs to protect their facilities

US chooses not to join anti-Russian statement on Ukraine at UN

The statement was read out by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga

Russia distances itself from two items on UN General Assembly agenda

They concern the 'temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine' and the 'international residual mechanism for criminal tribunals'"

Trump administration favors continued dialogue with Russia — presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the US administration had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the December G20 summit near Miami

Russia’s total gas output up 3.4% to 446.5 bcm in January-August — statistics service

Natural gas production over the eight-month period totaled 379 bcm, up 3.8% year-on-year

Ukraine loses nearly 1,400 troops in special op zone over past 24 hours — Defense Ministry

Russian Battlegroup North units took control over the Krasny Yar and Potikhonovo settlements in the Kharkov Region in the course of the special military operation over the past day

If Europeans hadn’t cheated, Ukraine could have remained within 1991 borders — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat noted that the Europeans had failed to suppress their age-old instinct to lie and try to achieve their goals by criminal means

Russia says to seek investigation into US violations of UN obligations

"Unfortunately, the current secretary-general of the world organization consistently evades implementing these resolutions and the relevant provisions of the 1947 Agreement on the Central Functions of the UN," Kirill Logvinov said

Residents of town near London may hold referendum on leaving UK

The town is Crowborough, which has a population of nearly 22,000, The Daily Telegraph reported

Press review: US may impose sanctions on ICC as AfD may push for early elections

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 22nd

Donbass Dome air defense system destroys nine Ukrainian UAVs over DPR in past day

The Ukrainian drones were targeting civilian infrastructure

Iran not to resume US talks, reopen Hormuz until Washington meets its terms — official

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei noted that the current seven conditions are fundamentally different from the previous ones

Lavrov holds talks with Egyptian foreign minister

Ahead of the bilateral meeting, Sergey Lavrov and Badr Abdelatty took part in a ceremony to unveil a memorial plaque honoring deceased permanent representatives

Russia’s annual inflation at 6.22% as of September 21, ministry says

Inflation stood at 0.06% for the week of September 15-21, 2026

Russia’s Defense Ministry reports use of Tsirkon missiles in nighttime strike on Ukraine

The ministry compared the massive strike to the Ninth Wave

FSB detains Moscow resident for planning to blow up motorcade with high-ranking official

The detainee planned to carry out a terrorist attack in the Moscow Region

Witkoff, Kushner confirm US’ interest in resolving Ukrainian conflict — Lavrov

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow on September 5

IN BRIEF: Kremlin statements on European Russophobic stance, possible Putin-Trump meet

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that high-level negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement, including those between Russia and the US, would be meaningless without prior preparation at the expert level

Finnish politician says NATO should return to its 1990s borders to reach peace in Ukraine

"The west will re-arm Ukraine if any peace deal were made," Armando Mema said

Russia’s top female tennis star Andreeva advances at 2026 Singapore Open

Mirra Andreeva is now set to play in the next round of the tournament against Canada’s 6th-seed Leylah Fernandez

Trump greets Xi at aircraft stairs after his arrival in US

The Chinese Foreign Ministry previously said the leader’s state visit to the US will run from September 23 to 25

French politicians’ claims about Russia’s weakness absurd, false — de Gaulle

Pierre de Gaulle noted that Russia’s economy grew by 10% between 2023 and 2025 and that the Russian Armed Forces control more than 20% of the territory of the former Ukraine

IN BRIEF: Key statements from Putin’s meeting with government

The head of state urged officials to explain to the public in greater detail what the digital ruble is and what advantages it offers

Russia’s Lancet systems, strike UAVs destroy Ukraine’s foreign artillery systems

Reconnaissance teams detected a camouflaged M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and two Bogdan self-propelled howitzers

Russian forces strike Ukrainian metallurgical, chemical industry sites — top brass

Russian forces used sea-launched hypersonic Tsirkon missiles during a massive nighttime strike against targets in Ukraine

Russian stock indices up as main trading session closes on Moscow Exchange

The yuan exchange rate rose by 10 kopecks to 12.7 rubles

Russia to respond in kind if US conducts full-scale nuclear tests — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow will keep following this approach consistently

Russia helps India overcome energy fallout from US aggression against Iran — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko emphasized the peaceful use of nuclear energy

Upcoming winter in Ukraine could trigger irreversible processes, expert warns

Oleg Popenko said that preparations for the heating season had completely failed

Russia not to pause special military operation for talks in any format — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat stressed that Europe wanted to gain a respite and replenish the depleted military arsenals of the Kiev regime

Russia reserves right to proportionate response to NATO, EU actions — diplomat

According to Yulia Zhdanova, any military facilities of NATO and EU nations in Ukraine that are used to strike Russian territory are legitimate military targets for the country