THE BELL WEEKLY: Moscow cheers Putin-Trump call PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is Moscow celebrating Vladimir Putin’s return to the top table of international politics after his call with Donald Trump. We also cover the EU clarifying its rules for how oligarchs can get sanctions removed. Moscow celebrates after Putin’s conversation with Trump With
Russia has a spending problem PRO Members Public
Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy — written by Alexandra Prokopenko and Alexander Kolyandr and brought to you by The Bell. This week our top story is Russia’s record budget deficit means and fresh stagflation fears. We also highlight how the latest Western sanctions on Russia’
Moscow to demolish two Soviet architecture gems PRO Members Public
Moscow has decided to demolish two famous landmarks of the Soviet period: the former building of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) and the Great Moscow State Circus. Moscow's civic authorities have the right to pull down any building which, in their opinion, does not fit with
Opposition infighting: Navalny allies hit back at Katz PRO Members Public
Alexei Navalny’s The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) — run by the late opposition leader’s allies in exile — last week accused the wife of Maxim Katz, a popular opposition blogger, of earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from working with companies close to the Russian authorities. The investigation has prompted another
Russia’s white collar workers face job cuts despite chronic labour shortages PRO Members Public
Russia’s economy is expected to cool this year after months of overheating, with the pace of growth set to more than halve. The slowdown will happen against the backdrop of chronic labour shortages — but despite record demand for workers in many sectors, experts still predict job losses. Who is
THE BELL WEEKLY: Corporate cuts at Russia’s blue-chips PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at a wave of corporate job cuts facing white-collar workers as Russia’s economy begins to slow and high interest rates bite. We also cover another in-fighting scandal among Russia’s opposition and Moscow city’s plans to demolish two iconic Soviet buildings. Russia’s
Russia hopes for sanctions relief PRO Members Public
Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy — written by Alexandra Prokopenko and Alexander Kolyandr and brought to you by The Bell. This week our top story looks at Russian hopes for sanctions relief as part of any deal to half the Ukraine war. We also cover mixed
High interest rates could trigger wave of bankruptcies, says think tank linked to defense minister PRO Members Public
The Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting—which has deep connections to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov—has predicted a wave of bankruptcies if high interest rates stay in place. Alongside arms manufacturers and big businesses, the think tank is one of the main lobbyists calling for lower borrowing costs.
US aid suspension hits Russian independent media and NGOs PRO Members Public
The decree by US President Donald Trump’s decree halting American aid to foreign countries and suspending the work of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hits exiled Russian media and NGOs hard. For many organizations and publications, grant funding is the sole means they have of ensuring
THE BELL WEEKLY: Trump's aid cut-off threatens Russian independent media PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story is how Donald Trump’s suspension of foreign aid will hit Russian independent media and NGOs. We also look at the latest warnings—from a well-connected Russian think tank—over the state of the economy. US aid suspension hits Russian independent media and NGOs
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The Bell was founded in 2017 by journalists Elizaveta Osetinskaya, Irina Malkova and Peter Mironenko as a news outlet independent from the Russian authorities, after its founders have been sacked as top editors at the largest Russian news website RBC because of pressure from the Kremlin.
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