19874 visitors online
Russia plans to introduce a digital ruble by 2026 for state employees, aiming for greater control over economic transactions. This move signals significant economic shifts as the digital ruble aims to bolster state surveillance over financial activities. Additionally, Russia's insistence on gas payments in rubles has sparked geopolitical tension, with the European Union refusing to comply, labeling it a "gas war". Meanwhile, Turkey has initiated payments for Russian gas in rubles, highlighting divergent international responses. These developments underscore a broader strategy to fortify Russia's economic sovereignty amidst geopolitical challenges.

Why is Russia introducing a digital ruble for state employees?

Russia aims to introduce the digital ruble for state employees as a measure to strengthen state control over economic transactions and reduce reliance on physical currency. This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance economic monitoring and efficiency within governmental financial frameworks. By implementing a digital currency, transactions can be more easily tracked and managed by state authorities, thus reinforcing economic governance.

How does the digital ruble affect global economic dynamics?

The introduction of the digital ruble impacts global economic dynamics by potentially setting a precedent for other nations considering similar measures. It also affects trade relations, as nations may need to adapt to a digital currency in dealings with Russia. Additionally, it may alter the traditional reliance on the US dollar in international transactions. Understanding its implications on global trade and economic policies is crucial for other countries interacting with Russia.

What implications do payments in rubles have on international trade?

Requiring payments in rubles for resources such as gas challenges the norm of using major currencies like the US dollar or euro in international trade. It can shift currency balances and force nations to obtain rubles, impacting forex markets. This strategy can enhance Russia's control over its currency's demand, potentially altering trade dynamics significantly. International partners may have to reassess their payment strategies to accommodate Russia's currency demands, leading to broader economic adjustments.

Why did the European Union refuse to pay for Russian gas in rubles?

The European Union refused to pay for Russian gas in rubles as it was seen as a violation of existing contracts that stipulated payments in euros or dollars. This insistence on ruble payments is perceived as a geopolitical maneuver rather than a purely economic decision, raising concerns over Russia's attempt to circumvent economic sanctions and assert monetary dominance. The refusal underscores political and economic disparities between the EU and Russia.

What are the potential benefits for Turkey paying for Russian gas in rubles?

Turkey's decision to pay in rubles could strengthen its trade partnership with Russia by aligning with its currency policy. This move may also provide favorable energy trade terms, potentially stabilizing Turkey's energy prices. Additionally, by diversifying its payment approach, Turkey can reduce its dependency on the US dollar, which may provide economic strategic advantages in terms of currency risk management. Such payments could enhance bilateral relations, ensuring more stable energy supplies.

show details

TOP news ruble

WSJ: Vladimir Putin’s Unhappy New Year. There will be ugly end for this ruler Russian President Vladimir Putin rationalized the tax system but did little else to modernize Russia. Those who often speak to him consider him to be in a bad place mentally, erratic and panicked. 288 241 887 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Economic disaster

Foreign currency credit users storm bank in Moscow, demand to give away Crimea. VIDEO Foreign currency credit users storm bank in Moscow, demand to give away Crimea. VIDEO Raiffeisen Bank debtors of loans in foreign currency have broken into the main office of the financial institution in Moscow and demand allowing paying off their loans at the rate of 40 rubles per dollar. 269 281 1 086 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

OPEC's Decision Triggered Fall of Ruble to New Historic Low US dollar and euro rate reached absolute maximum today during Moscow stock exchange evening trading due to OPEC's decision not to reduce oil production quotas. 217 219 1 015 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Putin's Economic Recipe Reveals Panic in Kremlin - Bloomberg Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recipe for riding out an economic storm has a whiff of panic, say analysts from Moscow to London. 194 502 448

S & P downgraded Russia S & P downgraded Russia's sovereign rating to junk International rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the sovereign rating of Russia to "speculative" level "BB +" from investment "BBB-". 190 222 1 223 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Gazprom curbs its presence in Europe, sources say Gazprom curbs its presence in Europe, sources say Gazprom put up its 10.5% stake in the German gas distributor Verbundnetz Gas (VNG) for sale, as part of a new strategy to wrap up its presence in Europe, three industry sources confirm. 151 541 512 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Malls in Moscow stand empty turning into ghost towns - The New York Times The New York Times takes as an example the brand-new Moscow's Avia Park mall, largest than any Europe's one. Row after row, storefronts are vacant. On a recent evening, a handful of visitors meandered past shops that have opened, like American Eagle Outfitters, Adidas and H&M, but purchases are relatively rare. With no customers to serve, a chef at a Sbarro restaurant passed the time honing a knife. 150 078 588 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Turkmenistan declared Gazprom insolvent with no payments received for six months Turkmenistan declared Gazprom insolvent with no payments received for six months Russia has not paid for the Turkmen gas since the beginning of the year. In response, Turkmenistan announced that due to the global economic crisis Gazprom is considered insolvent. 149 634 776 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Dollar Exchange Rate in Russia Exceeded 50 Rubles for the First Time Dollar exchange rate on the Moscow stock exchange broke the psychologically difficult level of 50 rubles. 146 091 873

Belarusian ruble depreciated by a third today The Belarus National Bank assures that it is already bringing in the currency into the country on the aircraft. 138 731 830

Russia's Ruble Hit New All-Time Low Russia's ruble (RUB) hit a new all-time low versus the dollar early on Monday and breached the central bank's trading band, implying the bank intervened once more to defend the currency. 137 635 583 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Assests of VTB Bank and Putin Assests of VTB Bank and Putin's propagansits Russia Today and TASS arrested in France VTB Head Andrey Kostin announced the arrest of Russian accounts, including state ones, in a subsidiary of the state bank. 121 987 504 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

"Putin does not acknowledge his mistakes. He now has a convenient excuse to start full-scale war against Ukraine," Nemtsov Says Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot admit the complete collapse of his policy, so he intends to write off the economic problems of Russia to the war. 107 869 209 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Economic disaster War

Ruble continues plummeting: dollar reaches 62 rubles, euro passes 77-ruble mark The USD/RUB high reached 62.45, and euro hit 77.50 during trading on the Moscow Exchange Monday. 107 499 1 237

Russian economy has substantially deteriorated - White House Russian economy has substantially deteriorated - White House Falling oil prices and sanctions of the West are the main reasons for the deterioration of the Russian economy. Only the full implementation of the Minsk agreements can lead to lifting sanctions from the Russian Federation. 107 453 669 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia Economic disaster

Eight billion rubles in plaid bags and boxes: pictures of money seized from Russian colonel published. PHOTOS Eight billion rubles in plaid bags and boxes: pictures of money seized from Russian colonel published. PHOTOS Russian Interior Officer Dmitriy Zakharchenko kept money in bags and boxes in a room in his house. 106 614 99

Recession is expected in Russia in 2015, followed by a mild recovery in 2016, IMF says Recession is expected in Russia in 2015, followed by a mild recovery in 2016, IMF says Last month, the IMF predicted that the economy of Russia would contract by 3.8 percent this year and by 1.1 percent in 2016. This Thursday, the International Monetary Fund announced a less pessimistic forecast for Russia's economy, predicting no more than 3.4 percent contraction in 2015 and emergence from recession in 2016. 99 027 584 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

"Our answer to sanctions": Russia presents a new collection of valenki with Russian flag and coat of arms. PHOTO "Our answer to sanctions": Russia presents a new collection of valenki with Russian flag and coat of arms. PHOTO While the situation in the Russian economy is close to critical, Putin's "Russian world" does not cease to mock the patriotic feelings of the Russians. 97 756 308 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

New Sanctions Hit Russian Stock Market Moscow stock index falls 2%, and ruble loses ground, after US announces tougher sanctions against Russia for supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. 96 561 442 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Russians named most ineffective workers in Europe According to experts of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), one of the reasons for decline of the Russian economy is a low labor productivity. 93 386 1 096 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Ruble Continues Plummeting. Dollar Sets New Historic High The USD/RUB rate on the Moscow Exchange as of Wednesday 10.10 MSK increased by 10 kopecks compared to the previous day's close and for the first time in history reached 38.43 rubles. 89 384 223 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Everyone keeping tabs on Russian ruble - Kerry The situation around the Russian ruble is of interest to everybody. 89 031 412

Lukashenko wants to trade with Russia in dollars or euros: let them pay in hard currency Lukashenko wants to trade with Russia in dollars or euros: let them pay in hard currency President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko demands the government to carry on with Russian settlements for supplied Belarusian exports in hard currency. 87 271 230 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Ruble Steadily Weakens Due to Sanctions and Oil Prices Making Central Bank Intervene Russia's rouble weakened to 44.40 against a dollar-euro basket soon after opening on Friday, hitting the level where the central bank starts unlimited interventions to defend the currency. 82 260 235

Brent Crude Price Dropped Below $62 Per Barrel Brent Crude Price Dropped Below $62 Per Barrel The price of a barrel of Brent North Sea oil fell below $62 Friday evening. A barrel of Brent crude trading was $61.97on the ICE Futures Exchange. 81 122 759

Ruble sets new anti-record: dollar traded at 85 rubles, euro at 93 Ruble sets new anti-record: dollar traded at 85 rubles, euro at 93 The current rate of the U.S. dollar against Russian ruble is the highest since Russian currency denomination in 1997-1998, while euro beats record highs of December 2014. 78 930 423

Sanctions inflicted damage worth of 25 billion euros to the Russian Federation. It can grow by several times in 2015 - Russian PM Sanctions inflicted damage worth of 25 billion euros to the Russian Federation. It can grow by several times in 2015 - Russian PM The damage inflicted to the Russian economy by the sanctions could grow by several times in 2015. 78 247 479 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia Economic disaster

Vice President of the European Parliament Proposes to Restrict the Convertibility of the Russian Ruble Besides limiting the ruble's convertibility, Vice President Czarnecki also proposed reducing Europe's dependence on Russian oil and gas supplies. 75 113 532

Dollar Passes 16 Hryvnia on Interbank Market Dollar Passes 16 Hryvnia on Interbank Market The hryvnia quotes against the US dollar passed 16 on the Ukrainian interbank currency market on Nov. 11and fell to 15.8200 UAH/16.1300 USD. 75 064 490

Russia Adopted Budget 2015 With Oil Price $96 Per Barrel and Dollar at 37 Rubles Russian State Duma on Friday in the third and final reading passed the budget 2015 and the planning period for 2016-2017. 74 870 335

Ruble Continues Dropping Following Oil Prices The dollar and the euro increase their growth rate on the Moscow Exchange in the morning hours of Tuesday, with the ruble moderately weakening against the dual currency basket amid the drop in oil prices. 73 806 454

Turkey hit unidentified drone on border with Syria. PHOTO Turkey hit unidentified drone on border with Syria. PHOTO Representatives of the Turkish Armed Forces said on Friday their warplanes had shot down an unidentified drone in Turkish air space near Syria. 71 946 212 Previously in trend: War in Syria

Russian economy will lose $160 billion annually if the oil price slumps to $45 per barrel - the Central Bank of Russia head Russian economy will lose $160 billion annually if the oil price slumps to $45 per barrel - the Central Bank of Russia head The Bank of Russia expects annual losses of the Russian economy to reach $160 billion a year at an oil price of $45 per barrel. Previously, the regulator began to work out the stress scenario implicating the price of $40 per barrel. 61 476 395 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Russia to lose $34 billion, should Iran regain its oil share, - World Bank Iran's return to oil market will cost the Russian economy $34 billion, while the OPEC states might face a $22 billion loss. 55 338 464 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

The Economist: Big Mac index offers 7.3 hryvnias against dollar According to the Big Mac index, U.S. dollar should cost just 7.3 hryvnias instead of 23.35. 53 815 213

Russian ruble plunged to 7-months low, trading 83 per euro Euro exchange rate has exceeded 83 rubles in Russia. 53 681 301 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Weakening of ruble to at least 90 against US dollar to inflict terminal damage on Russian economy, - Bloomberg The next Russian ruble drop can outdo 2014 shock. 52 453 133 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

European Currency Reached the Level of 53 Rubles for One Euro for the First Time Ever Depreciation of the Russian ruble on the Moscow stock exchange continues. Today the euro reached the level of 53 rubles for the first time in history. 48 952 502 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Tax police thwarted attempt to smuggle 10M rubles, $100,000 into occupied Donbas. PHOTOS Tax police thwarted attempt to smuggle 10M rubles, $100,000 into occupied Donbas. PHOTOS Tax police special task unit "Fantom" and border guards have detained a man at a contact line checkpoint in the Donetsk region, who attempted to smuggle 10 million Russian rubles (about $144,000) and $100,000 into the terrorist-controlled territory. 48 463 63 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

J.P. Morgan to remove Russian securities from its investment-grade indexes following downgrades - WSJ Russian government bonds will be dropped from two J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. emerging-markets indexes, after the country was downgraded to junk status by ratings firms Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s earlier this year. 47 148 361 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

US Predicts Drop in Oil Prices Below $40 - Media US Predicts Drop in Oil Prices Below $40 - Media Some players in the U.S. oil derivatives market stake on the extreme scenario - a fall in prices below $40 per barrel, according to CME. 45 031 233

Russia obliged to pay record fine of 1.86 billion euro for Yukos deprivation by Putin's henchmen Russia has three months to pay 1.86 billion euro to former Yukos shareholders. 43 325 202 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Russian Central Bank Spends a Billion USD to Defend Rouble on October 3 The Russian central bank said on Monday it had spent the equivalent of 38.95 billion roubles ($980.7 million) in forex market interventions to defend the rouble on October 3. 42 583 171

Ruble tracks oil by most on record after fourth monthly slide, - Bloomberg The Russian currency is tracking the price of oil the most closely on record after the ruble’s fourth month of losses pushed it toward a record low. 41 954 298 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Poroshenko: We will not allow separating Donbas from Ukraine Poroshenko: We will not allow separating Donbas from Ukraine President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko pledges to take every effort not to allow Russia and the militants it backs to separate the Donbas from Ukraine. 38 264 212 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Russia's rich lose $10 Billion in two days as ruble drops – Bloomberg The Russian Federation richest people lost $10 billion this week as the central bank raised interest rates. 35 689 90 Previously in trend: Economic disaster

Russian Currency Weakening Steadily: Euro Rate Grows to 51 Rubles The euro exchange rate on the Moscow Stock Exchange reached 51 rubles October 8. The dollar has grown by 16 kopeks - up to 40.07 rubles. 32 640 231 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Putin instructed to transfer payments for gas to ruble by March 31 Putin instructed to transfer payments for gas to ruble by March 31 Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian government, the Central Bank, and Gazprom to implement measures to convert gas payments into rubles by March 31. 31 617 167 Previously in trend: Gas War

Page 1 of 2
more top news