Latest news with #Санкт-Петербург
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Israel ‘almost a Russian-speaking country'
Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized Israel's large Russian-speaking population as one of the key factors in Moscow's approach to the ongoing Middle East conflict – alongside Russia's own Muslim population and traditionally friendly relations with the Islamic world. Speaking at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday, Putin said those who question Russia's commitment to its partners are 'provocateurs' attempting to stir discord. The Russian leader underscored the complexity of the Iran-Israel conflict, cautioning against one-size-fits-all expectations of alliances. 'Every conflict is unique,' he said, outning Russia's nuanced relationships across the region. Putin highlighted the presence of nearly two million Russian-speaking residents in Israel. 'It is almost a Russian-speaking country today. And, undoubtedly, we always take this into account in Russia's contemporary history,' he said. At the same time, he emphasized Russia's 'friendly, trusting, and allied' relations with the Arab and Islamic world, which include 15% of Russia's own population and participation as an observer in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The Russian president reiterated his country's support for Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear program – stressing that this support is not merely rhetorical, but demonstrated through concrete cooperation. 'We defend Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy not just in words, but in action,' he said. 'Despite all the complexity of the situation around Iran, we built a nuclear reactor in Bushehr... And despite all the challenges and certain risks, we continue this work.' Putin dismissed criticism that Russia should have done more to support Iran. 'Start some kind of combat operations, is that it?' he asked rhetorically. 'We already have combat operations going on against those whom we consider opponents of the ideas we defend and who pose a threat to the Russian Federation,' he added, noting that these opponents are 'far behind the frontline' and are 'basically the same forces – with Iran and in the case of Russia.' According to the Kremlin, Putin has a 'complete picture' of the situation, as one of the few leaders to speak directly with the heads of Israel, Iran, and the United States since the conflict flared up last week. In a late-night Q&A session on Wednesday, Putin told journalists that Moscow had proposed several compromise frameworks to all parties, suggesting that any potential settlement should include mutual security guarantees – protecting both Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology and Israel's right to security. While reaffirming support for Iran's legitimate interests, Putin clarified on Friday that Russia is not seeking to act as a mediator in the Iran-Israel conflict. 'We are simply offering ideas. Should these proposals resonate with both nations, we would be pleased,' he said, adding that he sees potential 'points of contact' between Tehran and West Jerusalem.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Putin boasts about Russia's economy despite recession fears
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 20, 2025. (Vyacheslav Viktorov/ Roscongress Foundation via AP) ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — President Vladimir Putin on Friday hailed Russia's economic outlook, saying it has managed to curb inflation and ease its reliance on energy exports. His optimistic account in a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum contrasted with somber statements by some members of his government who warned at the same conference that Russia could face a recession. Economic Minister Maxim Reshetnikov had said Thursday that the country is 'on the brink of going into a recession.' Putin mentioned the recession warnings, but emphasized that 'it mustn't be allowed.' He pointed out that manufacturing industries have posted steady growth, allowing the country to reduce its reliance on oil and gas exports. 'The perception of Russian economy as based on raw materials and dependent on hydrocarbons exports have clearly become outdated,' Putin said, adding that the economy grew by 1.5% in the first four months of 2025 and inflation has dropped from double digits to 9.6%. Putin has used the annual forum to highlight Russia's economic prowess and encourage foreign investment, but Western executives have shunned it after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, leaving it to business leaders from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The economy, hit with a slew of Western sanctions, has so far outperformed predictions. High defense spending has propelled growth and kept unemployment low despite fueling inflation. Large recruiting bonuses for military enlistees and death benefits for those killed in Ukraine also have put more income into the country's poorer regions. But over the long term, inflation and a lack of foreign investments pose threats to the economy. Economists have warned of mounting pressure on the economy and the likelihood it would stagnate due to lack of investment in sectors other than the military. Putin said the growth of military industries helped develop new technologies that have become available to the civilian sector. He vowed to continue military modernization, relying on lessons learned during the fighting in Ukraine. 'We will raise the capability of the Russian armed forces, modernize military infrastructure and equip the troops with cutting-edge equipment,' Putin said. The Associated Press
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Russian energy, transport, finance companies among privatisation candidates, says finance ministry
Russian state-owned companies from the energy, transport and finance sectors will be among the candidates for privatisation, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Friday, as Moscow seeks to raise funds for the federal budget. Shunned by Western capital since launching the conflict in Ukraine, Moscow has been seeking ways to foster more domestic private investment, increase economic efficiency and, ultimately, bolster budget revenue as Russia spends heavily on the war. "It is such a delicate issue just now, but I can say that it is energy, transport and finance," Siluanov said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. "We are interested in attracting new money for the development of companies," Siluanov said. "There are currently difficulties with financing the investment programmes of large corporations." Officials have for months teased the market with hints about which companies could be candidates for privatisation, without giving concrete names. In 2010, the finance ministry, then led by reformist Alexei Kudrin, first launched a multi-year privatisation campaign to dispose of state assets, but the scheme ultimately stalled. The state sale of a stake in oil major Rosneft was the main deal from that time. Siluanov suggested resurrecting the dormant privatisation drive in late 2023, submitting a list of 30 company names to the government in a proposal that would see the state keep controlling stakes. In March, the ministry said the privatisation of stakes in seven large companies next year would raise up to 300 billion roubles ($3.8 billion) for the budget. Several major Russian firms have complained of the prohibitive cost of borrowing, with interest rates at 20%. Preparing state-owned companies for initial public offerings (IPOs) would require serious preparation, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said. Russia has also struggled to attract investment in the last few years, with Western companies withdrawing funds and investors from countries friendly to Moscow not yet picking up the slack. ($1 = 78.4000 roubles)
Russia Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Major Russian city backs fines for promoting abortion
Lawmakers in the Russian city of St. Petersburg have advanced a bill that would impose fines on individuals and organizations that coerce women into having abortions. The Legislative Assembly passed the measure on Wednesday in its second reading. The legislation would penalize acts such as persuasion, bribery, deception or other pressure aimed at ending a pregnancy. Fines would range from 3,000 rubles ($40) for individuals to 50,000 rubles ($600) for officials and legal entities. Punishments can be imposed even if an abortion does not occur. Medical advice from a doctor based on social or health indications would not count as a violation. The bill's explanatory note says it aims to support family and motherhood and tackle Russia's demographic problems. According to Rosstat, the country recorded 1.22 million births in 2024, down 3.4% from 2023, making it the worst year since 1999. 'Our demography is at such a low level that… it's a number one problem,' said MP Pavel Krupnik, one of the sponsors of the bill. 'According to statistics, 500,000 abortions were performed in 2024, of which only 25% were for medical reasons. Just imagine what we're doing ourselves.' He added that many women lose the ability to have children after terminating a pregnancy. The bill still needs final approval in a third reading to become law. Similar measures have passed in more than ten Russian regions, including Bryansk, where a comparable law takes effect on September 1. Authorities in Murmansk and Pskov have proposed alternative legislation to fight abortions, suggesting paying doctors bonuses for persuading women to keep their pregnancies. St. Petersburg lawmakers are currently weighing draft amendments to the Social Code to offer payments to pregnant college students to discourage them from delaying childbirth. Abortions remain legal in Russia and are covered by national health insurance. Terminations are allowed up to 12 weeks on request, up to 22 weeks for social reasons, such as being the result of rape or in the case of death or disability of the husband, and at any stage for medical reasons. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said in March that efforts to prevent abortion led to more than 37,000 women choosing to carry their pregnancies to term last year. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously opposed banning abortions, instead emphasizing the importance of creating favorable economic and social conditions to encourage people to have larger families and increase the birth rate.
Russia Today
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Russia Today
Putin signs new ‘made in Russia' taxi law
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law promoting the local production of taxicabs used in the country. The relevant document was published on the state portal for legal information on Friday. According to the legislation, passenger cars would have to meet two conditions in order to be included in the taxi registry: either score a sufficient number of localization points or be produced under a special investment contract signed between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2025. A vehicle scores localization points for the use of Russian components and raw materials or for being assembled in the country. The required level of localization, which is currently 3,200 points, is slated to be increased to 3,700 points in 2028. The new rules will go into force in most of Russia's regions on March 1, 2026. They will not apply to vehicles added to the taxi registry before that date. The bill on the localization of taxicabs was introduced in the Russian parliament in 2023 and voted on by MPs earlier this month. One of the authors of the initiative, Andrey Kutepov, who heads the Committee on Economic Policy at the Russian Federation Council, said on Wednesday that 'the taxi fleet remains vulnerable in view of sanctions pressure' on Russia by the West. The law will allow the Russian automobile industry to sell between 40,000 and 50,000 extra vehicles every year, while also providing an additional 10 to 12 billion rubles ($124-150 million) in tax revenues for the state, Kutepov argued.
