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Slow Ukrainian economic growth
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 24 Nov 2018

The Ukrainian State Statistical Service declared that GDP growth for the third quarter of 2018 was 2.8%. This may seem impressive but it is lower than for the previous two quarters. Ukraine's budget is predicated on growth of at least 3%. The World Bank predicts that Ukrainian growth will slow ev...

CIS essential business briefing
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 23 Nov 2018

* Russian tensions with Atlantic nations increase, but so do defense sales to Asia * Ukraine geographical and religious splits deepen, while IMF program to be reaffirmed * Georgian presidential elections show weakness for Georgian Dream

Oil price dispute between Russia and Belarus
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 23 Nov 2018

Russia and Belarus are not making progress in their negotiation over oil prices. The Belarussian Ambassador to Russia has said so publicly. Belarus gets most of her energy from Russia. Energy for industrial use is a sore point for Belarus. The Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan ...

Tajik dam starts to generate electricity.
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 21 Nov 2018 · 1 response

The Rogun Dam in Tajikistan has started to generate electricity. The first segment of the dam has been completed. The rest will take a projected 10 years. This is a major step for the poorest country in the former USSR.Tajikistan's neighbor Uzbekistan had lobbied hard against the dam since it wil...

Russian oligarchs not welcome at Davos
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 19 Nov 2018

Last week it emerged that Andrei Kostin, Viktor Vekselberg and Oleg Deripaska have been uninvited to Davos for this coming January. PM Medvedev reacted with ire to the news. He threatened that no Russian will take part in the World Economic Forum unless these men are included. A final decision ha...

RusHydro debuts Eurobond
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 18 Nov 2018

On 15 November RusHydro debuted the largest ever Russian Eurobond denominated in Renminbi to date. The issuance was for 3 year bonds worth USD 216 million (in Yuan). This is the very first time that a Russian company has issued a Eurobond for offshore investors in Chinese currency. Russian compan...

The troubles of diplomacy
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 16 Nov 2018

The US intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has caused a certain level of anxiety in Moscow as it may potentially lead to a new round in the arms race. However, there is also some optimism among Russia’s elite because disarmament talks are one of the few topics ...

Kazakh Bank to IPO on LSE
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 15 Nov 2018

Kaspi Bank announced on November 9 that it will launch an IPO next year, listing shares on the London Stock Exchange. Kaspi is one of Kazakhstan's most profitable banks. It has made a profit of over USD 200 million so far this year. The announcement came on the same day that Vladimir Putin met Pr...

Russia opposes oil production cut
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 13 Nov 2018

On 12 November President Putin announced that he does not want Russian consumers to be hurt by an oil price rise.On 11 November OPEC met in Abu Dhabi. There was a spirited debate about an oil production cut. The aim would be to raise prices. Iran and Saudi Arabia are both members of OPEC despite ...

VEB will probably receive USD 4.6 Bn in budgetary funds.
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 31 Oct 2018

Vnescheconombank (VEB)'s board met with the government on 30 October with a view to agreeing the bank's recapitalization. A bill has been prepared by the Ministry of Finance and was discussed by the cabinet on 31 October.VEB is one of the largest banks and sponsors one of Moscow's top football te...

Russia supports Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi issue
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 29 Oct 2018

The Russian Government has backed Saudi Arabia's version of events with relation to the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Dmitry Peskov said that no one has any reason to doubt the explanation of the Saudi Arabian Government. No other country outside the Middle East has offered such support. Peskov is Pr...

Russia ruling party setback
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 22 Oct 2018

Rosy economic news for Russia but the ruling party suffers setbacks. Russia is keen to end the Syrian conflict soon. Uzbekistan launches a charm offensive in India and France.

​US withdraws from INF agreement with Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 21 Oct 2018

President Trump announced on October 20 the US will withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-range (500-5500 km) Nuclear Forces treaty, also known as INF. The US blames Russia for violating the treaty by developing a ground-launched cruise missile called Novator 9M729. The National Security Council sa...

KPMG to audit National Bank of Georgia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 10 Oct 2018

KPMG TO AUDIT NATIONAL BANKThe Georgian Government announced on 27 September that they are appointing KPMG to audit the National Bank of Georgia. Georgia is eager to achieve a reputation for fiscal probity. This will make it easier to obtain loans. Tblisi has also spoken about developing itself a...

President of Uzbekistan meets President of France.
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 10 Oct 2018

President of Uzbekistan meets President of France. On 9 October the President of Uzbekistan visited Paris. President Mirziyoyev met President Macron of France. Uzbekistan considers this a major success since most Western governments were unwilling to receive the late President Karimov due to huma...