St. Petersburg Economic Forum Implements Tighter Security Following Drone Threat Concerns

To prioritize the safety of attendees and high-profile guests, organizers of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) have implemented enhanced security measures, including the temporary disruption of mobile web access. The decision comes amid growing concerns over potential drone attacks, especially targeting President Vladimir Putin. As recent incidents have highlighted Russia’s evolving drone threat landscape, security precautions have been significantly heightened, reflecting the need to address these emerging challenges. Such measures aim to ensure a secure environment for participants, underscoring the importance of proactive security protocols in an ever-changing world.
Lost Russian oil revenue is bonanza for shippers, refiners

Western sanctions on Russia have significantly reduced state oil revenues and diverted tens of billions of dollars towards shipping and refining firms, some with Russian connections.
Putin says wants to restrict destinations for Ukraine’s grain exports

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned of a looming global food crisis and said he would discuss amending a landmark grain deal with Ukraine to limit the countries that can receive cargo shipments.
Russia resumes gas flows via Nord Stream, Europe still wary

Russia resumed pumping gas via its biggest pipeline to Europe on Thursday after a 10-day outage, the operator said, allaying Europe’s immediate winter supply fears after President Vladimir Putin had warned that flows could be cut further or stopped.
Why Russian oil price cap is easier said than done

G7 leaders have agreed to study possible price caps on Russian oil and gas to try to limit Moscow’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine, G7 officials said on Tuesday.
Explainer: Russia wants gas payments in roubles. Will buyers make the switch?

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday requiring foreign buyers to pay roubles for Russian gas from April 1 or see their contracts halted, a move described as “blackmail” by European states.
Analysis: Russia’s economic defences likely to crumble over time under sanctions onslaught

Russia has spent the past seven years building up formidable financial defences, yet in the long run, its economy is unlikely to withstand the onslaught of coordinated sanctions from the West.
World stocks bounce as investors eye Putin’s next steps in Ukraine

Global stocks broke a four-day slide on Wednesday and demand for safe-haven assets waned, with investors waiting to see Russian President Vladimir Putin’s next move after he sent troops into separatist regions of Ukraine.
EXCLUSIVE U.S. plans to cut ties with targeted Russian banks if Ukraine is invaded – sources

President Joe Biden’s administration has prepared an initial package of sanctions against Russia that includes barring U.S. financial institutions from processing transactions for major Russian banks, three people familiar with the matter said.
Explainer: Europe’s banks fear payment system could be casualty of Russia-Ukraine crisis

Amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Italy’s UniCredit has backed out of a potential acquisition in Russia and Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International has set aside risk provisions for possible sanctions on Russia.