The U.S. House backed a provision that would extend the ban on Americans buying or selling newly issued Russian sovereign debt to secondary markets. The measure, written by Representative Brad Sherman (Democrat, California) will be included in the annual defense policy bill that is expected to pass the House.
Targeting secondary-market trading of sovereign debt would mark a major escalation of the sanctions regime. Russian markets have benefited this year from the perception that Biden didn’t care that much about Kremlin as he deals with more pressing issues from China.
The immediate market impact could be marginal, but in long term the proposed legislation could increase the Russian government's cost of borrowing by 0.5 percent to 0.8 percent.
Current U.S. sanctions ban the purchase of new issues of Russian sovereign debt but do not affect secondary trading. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes the provision, arguing that it would limit the ability of American banks to serve their corporate clients operating in Russia.
We do not support this measure either.
Targeting secondary-market trading of sovereign debt would mark a major escalation of the sanctions regime. Russian markets have benefited this year from the perception that Biden didn’t care that much about Kremlin as he deals with more pressing issues from China.
The immediate market impact could be marginal, but in long term the proposed legislation could increase the Russian government's cost of borrowing by 0.5 percent to 0.8 percent.
Current U.S. sanctions ban the purchase of new issues of Russian sovereign debt but do not affect secondary trading. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes the provision, arguing that it would limit the ability of American banks to serve their corporate clients operating in Russia.
We do not support this measure either.
London's Metropolitan Police Service said on Tuesday that a third Russian national named Denis Sergeev, also known as Sergey Fedotov, had been charged with attempted murder in the Salisbury poisoning case. He is believed to be an agent of GRU.
Russian chief spy, friend of God Nisanov Sergei Naryshkin responded to British claims in a confusing manner:
“It's also perhaps an attempt to distract the public from the shame, the escape of primarily US troops and their allies, including the UK, from Afghanistan”.
Chief spy of any serious country may be white, black, blonde, brunet etc. The only thing he cannot afford is to be or to look stupid.
Russian chief spy, friend of God Nisanov Sergei Naryshkin responded to British claims in a confusing manner:
“It's also perhaps an attempt to distract the public from the shame, the escape of primarily US troops and their allies, including the UK, from Afghanistan”.
Chief spy of any serious country may be white, black, blonde, brunet etc. The only thing he cannot afford is to be or to look stupid.
Another incident in South Ossetia which even drew attention of Margarita Simonyan.
Someone in South Ossetia made an attempt on the life of Vitaly Denisov, head of Russian state agency Sputnik’s department in the republic. The gas pipe in Denisov’s house has been damaged, and Denisov along with his house and neighbours hasn’t exploded by a sheer luck.
As we have said earlier, South Ossetia’s president Bibilov is a criminal involved in killing of a local Inal Dzhabiyev a year ago, as well as cigarette and drug smuggling.
It is a mistake to think that nobody is following the matters in Ossetia and Abkhazia. Both republics are kind of mirroring Russia. Will someone question the credibility of Bibilov after this incident?
Earlier this year a high-ranked crony of Bibilov assaulted another Russian journalist in Vladikavkaz. Perhaps, the criminal Russia-backed president decided that if he could do that in Russia, then why not in South Ossetia?
Someone in South Ossetia made an attempt on the life of Vitaly Denisov, head of Russian state agency Sputnik’s department in the republic. The gas pipe in Denisov’s house has been damaged, and Denisov along with his house and neighbours hasn’t exploded by a sheer luck.
As we have said earlier, South Ossetia’s president Bibilov is a criminal involved in killing of a local Inal Dzhabiyev a year ago, as well as cigarette and drug smuggling.
It is a mistake to think that nobody is following the matters in Ossetia and Abkhazia. Both republics are kind of mirroring Russia. Will someone question the credibility of Bibilov after this incident?
Earlier this year a high-ranked crony of Bibilov assaulted another Russian journalist in Vladikavkaz. Perhaps, the criminal Russia-backed president decided that if he could do that in Russia, then why not in South Ossetia?
A couple of days ago a representative of South Ossetia met with talib’s deputy PM Baradar in Doha. The man is Alexei Maximov, he is Russian with SVR background.
Russian Foreign Intelligence has turned into a joke under Naryshkin, but when we wrote about his stupidity, we haven’t thought that it is that bad.
Maximov, of course, has nothing to do with South Ossetia, even if he is listed as an Ossetian official. He is affiliated with Naryshkin’s Service. So, what have we got?
Representative of Russian intelligence is sitting in front of cameras with high-ranked talib. What’s next for Naryshkin, will there be a reality show with intelligence personnel?
It was a business trip for Maximov and his “krysha” in SVR. Russian Intelligence is doing its business publicly now. This time with the drug and cigarette smuggler, who is also the president of South Ossetia.
Russian Foreign Intelligence has turned into a joke under Naryshkin, but when we wrote about his stupidity, we haven’t thought that it is that bad.
Maximov, of course, has nothing to do with South Ossetia, even if he is listed as an Ossetian official. He is affiliated with Naryshkin’s Service. So, what have we got?
Representative of Russian intelligence is sitting in front of cameras with high-ranked talib. What’s next for Naryshkin, will there be a reality show with intelligence personnel?
It was a business trip for Maximov and his “krysha” in SVR. Russian Intelligence is doing its business publicly now. This time with the drug and cigarette smuggler, who is also the president of South Ossetia.
The “elections” are over, so now it’s time to get back to business. Hope nobody was naive enough to think that these people will start from poverty, healthcare or education.
The Russian State Duma is set to consider a bill that would lift restrictions on the heads of regions being elected for more than two consecutive terms.
The draft law also proposes using the title “Head” to refer to all regional leaders. It is taken directly against one republic – Tatarstan, whose leader is still called “President”.
Ethnic non-Russians will have no choice but to protect the political status of their republics as Kremlin, in spite of common sense, is pushing hard for destruction of federalism in the country.
The Russian State Duma is set to consider a bill that would lift restrictions on the heads of regions being elected for more than two consecutive terms.
The draft law also proposes using the title “Head” to refer to all regional leaders. It is taken directly against one republic – Tatarstan, whose leader is still called “President”.
Ethnic non-Russians will have no choice but to protect the political status of their republics as Kremlin, in spite of common sense, is pushing hard for destruction of federalism in the country.
In total, 59 companies out of top 100 in the world are headquartered in the United States, making up 65% of the top 100’s total market capitalization.
There is a silly sentiment about the “end of American era”. This is either a bias or a complete misunderstanding of the matters in long term.
The American era is actually just getting started, there is a lot more to come. Not a single Russian company on the list.
There is a silly sentiment about the “end of American era”. This is either a bias or a complete misunderstanding of the matters in long term.
The American era is actually just getting started, there is a lot more to come. Not a single Russian company on the list.
Russian Catastrophe
According to Rosstat, there were 1.7mln households in Russia that could be considered “middle class” in the West. There are only 1mln left this year.
A 40% decline in one year is stunning, catastrophic increase of poverty rate. As we have said numerous times, putinism as a politicial system is based on poverty of the people.
Poverty is the goal of putinism, there is no other way to put it. Middle class is dangerous to Russian feudalism. Putin can say whatever he wants, but actions and numbers don’t lie.
According to Rosstat, there were 1.7mln households in Russia that could be considered “middle class” in the West. There are only 1mln left this year.
A 40% decline in one year is stunning, catastrophic increase of poverty rate. As we have said numerous times, putinism as a politicial system is based on poverty of the people.
Poverty is the goal of putinism, there is no other way to put it. Middle class is dangerous to Russian feudalism. Putin can say whatever he wants, but actions and numbers don’t lie.
Kremlin has provided Russian IT-sector with a heavy blow. Ilya Sachkov, the co-founder of Group IB which is the country’s top security firm, has been arrested on the charges of treason.
Sachkov will likely be accused of passing a secret information to foreign intelligence or assisting Western efforts to interfere with Russian “elections”. Anyway, it’s not clear why he even was in Moscow.
Group IB has been working along Russian state agencies, mainly FSB, for a very long time. Sachkov really should’ve known better, especially after his primary FSB contact, deputy head of the FSB’s Center for Information Security Sergei Mikhailov was sentenced to 22 years in prison for treason.
Sachkov was instrumental in creating modern Russian repressive cyber infrastructure, helped Kremlin in the case of the whistle blower Sergei Rodchenkov. Apparently it wasn’t enough.
Mikhailov was accused of passing information to America, personally Kimberly Zenz. There will be an American trace in Sachkov’s case, too.
Sachkov will likely be accused of passing a secret information to foreign intelligence or assisting Western efforts to interfere with Russian “elections”. Anyway, it’s not clear why he even was in Moscow.
Group IB has been working along Russian state agencies, mainly FSB, for a very long time. Sachkov really should’ve known better, especially after his primary FSB contact, deputy head of the FSB’s Center for Information Security Sergei Mikhailov was sentenced to 22 years in prison for treason.
Sachkov was instrumental in creating modern Russian repressive cyber infrastructure, helped Kremlin in the case of the whistle blower Sergei Rodchenkov. Apparently it wasn’t enough.
Mikhailov was accused of passing information to America, personally Kimberly Zenz. There will be an American trace in Sachkov’s case, too.
Russian siloviks have come after Sberbank. Vice-president of the bank Marina Rakova has disappeared after being accused of corruption while being in the Education Ministry, two other top-managers – Evgeny Zak and Maxim Inkin – have been arrested.
Russian discourse is totally dominated by repressive structures of siloviks, but there always was some balance between them and so called liberals. Sberbank’s CEO German Gref is the leader of liberal part of Russian elites.
For a long time top-position in Sberbank was kind of a safety guarantee. It is no more.
Nobody is safe. After Zinichev’s death suspicious Putin became paranoid, which gives siloviks much more room to act. President is in the bunker anyway.
Russian discourse is totally dominated by repressive structures of siloviks, but there always was some balance between them and so called liberals. Sberbank’s CEO German Gref is the leader of liberal part of Russian elites.
For a long time top-position in Sberbank was kind of a safety guarantee. It is no more.
Nobody is safe. After Zinichev’s death suspicious Putin became paranoid, which gives siloviks much more room to act. President is in the bunker anyway.
Thousands of employees from companies linked to sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska were dispatched to Moscow for a pro-Kremlin rally on the final day of voting in Russia’s parliamentary elections.
There is a false sentiment about Russian oligarchs being strong independent figures.
The difference between them and traditional Western tycoons and Russian oligarchs is that billions in Russia are given by the state.
The real owner of Deripaska’s billions is Putin. He also is the owner of Deripaska himself.
There is a false sentiment about Russian oligarchs being strong independent figures.
The difference between them and traditional Western tycoons and Russian oligarchs is that billions in Russia are given by the state.
The real owner of Deripaska’s billions is Putin. He also is the owner of Deripaska himself.
Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin has signed a decree on submitting the draft of the federal budget for 2022 and the planned period of 2023-2024 to the State Duma.
The draft once again proves the dominance of social darwinism in Russia which is already a legit police state. Let’s take a look at federal expenditures compared to the previous period.
Social needs - down 371bln roubles;
Healthcare – down 117bln roubles;
National economy – down 152bln roubles;
Aircraft industry expenditures – down almost 300%;
Money saved on the people, healthcare, social programs and economy will be spent on “national security” – the expenditures on siloviks are up 17%.
No comments. It is a third world country with nuclear weapons, that's about it.
The draft once again proves the dominance of social darwinism in Russia which is already a legit police state. Let’s take a look at federal expenditures compared to the previous period.
Social needs - down 371bln roubles;
Healthcare – down 117bln roubles;
National economy – down 152bln roubles;
Aircraft industry expenditures – down almost 300%;
Money saved on the people, healthcare, social programs and economy will be spent on “national security” – the expenditures on siloviks are up 17%.
No comments. It is a third world country with nuclear weapons, that's about it.
Exactly. Zuckerberg and his investors have been in a lasting clinch with Federal government. The latter is sending the message. All good for Telegram though.
https://yangx.top/plutovstvo007/1949
https://yangx.top/plutovstvo007/1949
Telegram
Чисто для фиксации
Рискну предположить, что в США началась попытка ограничения власти "цифровых гигантов", которые сделали Байдена президентом. Только этим можно объяснить такое беспрецедентное "выпиливание" Цукерберга из DNS
https://yangx.top/russicatop/28447
https://yangx.top/russicatop/28447
We haven’t given any comment on the Pandora papers for one reason – we haven’t found anything outstanding or, for that matter, new in the papers.
It is a well-known fact that Russian elites are busy with making money in Russia and transferring it to the West.
The only interesting thing about this case were comments of Kremlin’s spokesman Peskov. He pretended to be blind and claimed that the papers contain no information about hidden riches of Putin’s inner circle.
Moreover, Peskov said that the US are the main tax haven of the world.
Ok, Mr.Peskov, let it be. Why won’t you quit hiding your money in American and other tax havens though?
It is a well-known fact that Russian elites are busy with making money in Russia and transferring it to the West.
The only interesting thing about this case were comments of Kremlin’s spokesman Peskov. He pretended to be blind and claimed that the papers contain no information about hidden riches of Putin’s inner circle.
Moreover, Peskov said that the US are the main tax haven of the world.
Ok, Mr.Peskov, let it be. Why won’t you quit hiding your money in American and other tax havens though?
A prominent Russian human rights defender Vladimir Osechkin has obtained a large batch of videos showing prison inmates being tortured and raped under supervision of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN).
The Mediazona news website published three of the videos that show inmates being tortured at a prison hospital in Saratov. The footage is indeed shocking.
The story has gone international. Let’s wait now until tortures and rapes will be proclaimed a part of Russian cultural code, and Osechkin will be marked as a “foreign agent”.
Tortures are not a part of Russian penitentiary and law enforcement systems, they are a system by themselves.
The Mediazona news website published three of the videos that show inmates being tortured at a prison hospital in Saratov. The footage is indeed shocking.
The story has gone international. Let’s wait now until tortures and rapes will be proclaimed a part of Russian cultural code, and Osechkin will be marked as a “foreign agent”.
Tortures are not a part of Russian penitentiary and law enforcement systems, they are a system by themselves.
Obsluga
Russian Council on Defense and Foreign Policy: “Russia poses an existential threat for the West”.
What threat? On the one hand, it is funny. On the other hand, it’s really sad that Russian expertise has hit a rock bottom, North Korean style. These people believe that a third world country like Russia can pose any threat to the West. Jesus Christ.
Russian Council on Defense and Foreign Policy: “It is important to avoid changes in Russia in the coming 10 years”.
That’s what it’s all about, there was really no need to use complicated words like “existential”. It’s really sad that once promising experts like Fedor Lukyanov and others have become what Russians call “obsluga”.
Long live corruption and poverty, long live Putin, Sechin and Patrushev. God forbid any changes.
Russian Council on Defense and Foreign Policy: “Russia poses an existential threat for the West”.
What threat? On the one hand, it is funny. On the other hand, it’s really sad that Russian expertise has hit a rock bottom, North Korean style. These people believe that a third world country like Russia can pose any threat to the West. Jesus Christ.
Russian Council on Defense and Foreign Policy: “It is important to avoid changes in Russia in the coming 10 years”.
That’s what it’s all about, there was really no need to use complicated words like “existential”. It’s really sad that once promising experts like Fedor Lukyanov and others have become what Russians call “obsluga”.
Long live corruption and poverty, long live Putin, Sechin and Patrushev. God forbid any changes.
NATO expelled today eight members of Russia's mission to the military alliance on the grounds that they were in fact working secretly as spies.
Another “success” of Sergei Naryshkin’s Foreign Intelligence Service. One scandal after another, this is just a sheer incompetence which is widely ridiculed in intelligence circles.
This incompetence is obvious to anyone who knows the context, but Naryshkin will surely get away with it. Let’s wait for another interview though. Naryshkin never fails to make fun out of himself.
Another “success” of Sergei Naryshkin’s Foreign Intelligence Service. One scandal after another, this is just a sheer incompetence which is widely ridiculed in intelligence circles.
This incompetence is obvious to anyone who knows the context, but Naryshkin will surely get away with it. Let’s wait for another interview though. Naryshkin never fails to make fun out of himself.
Dmitry Muratov’s Nobel prize is of course a message to Moscow. It upgrades the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta and makes him in many ways untouchable.
It is actually not that bad for Kremlin, too. Muratov is predictable, has contacts with Russian elites and won’t do anything crazy, so Kremlin will try to engage him in various ways.
So, basically, this decision means that Alexei Navalny isn’t Nelson Mandela so far.
It also means that Ramzan Kadyrov’s long standing beef with Novay Gazeta has turned international. Hopefully Putin will personally order Kadyrov not to do anything stupid again.
It is actually not that bad for Kremlin, too. Muratov is predictable, has contacts with Russian elites and won’t do anything crazy, so Kremlin will try to engage him in various ways.
So, basically, this decision means that Alexei Navalny isn’t Nelson Mandela so far.
It also means that Ramzan Kadyrov’s long standing beef with Novay Gazeta has turned international. Hopefully Putin will personally order Kadyrov not to do anything stupid again.
Uzbek Colonization of Russia
Russia may lease million hectares to Uzbekistan for growing soybeans and wheat.
Uzbeks will start with 35 thousand hectares with the subsequent export of the crop to Uzbekistan and will gradually increase its amount. Twenty three Russian regions have already agreed to allocate lands to Uzbeks.
Russian telegram is going crazy, the nationalist sentiment here is also very strong. Well, what can we say… Good morning!
This is an inevitable future of Russia, and all the questions should be addressed to Russian feudal lords in Kremlin starting from Putin. Of course, nobody will ask these questions, so it will all end up with furious xenophobic texts.
Russia may lease million hectares to Uzbekistan for growing soybeans and wheat.
Uzbeks will start with 35 thousand hectares with the subsequent export of the crop to Uzbekistan and will gradually increase its amount. Twenty three Russian regions have already agreed to allocate lands to Uzbeks.
Russian telegram is going crazy, the nationalist sentiment here is also very strong. Well, what can we say… Good morning!
This is an inevitable future of Russia, and all the questions should be addressed to Russian feudal lords in Kremlin starting from Putin. Of course, nobody will ask these questions, so it will all end up with furious xenophobic texts.
Russian Vaccination Crisis
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that the vaccination level in Russia is too low: ”That is why we have mortality numbers that are so high. We are using every opportunity to make a simple call on all citizens — go ahead and get the shot.”
At the same time, Peskov rejected the idea of imposing fines on those who fail to get the vaccine and emphasized that it’s up to regional authorities to decide whether to tighten coronavirus restrictions.
The elections are over. We assume that unpopular vaccination ideas will be “initiated” from the regions on Kremlin’s order. Moscow will act depending on the reaction without suffering reputation losses.
Kremlin being ready to give regions right to decide on coronavirus restrictions is a joke, because that’s about the only right it is ready to grant them.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that the vaccination level in Russia is too low: ”That is why we have mortality numbers that are so high. We are using every opportunity to make a simple call on all citizens — go ahead and get the shot.”
At the same time, Peskov rejected the idea of imposing fines on those who fail to get the vaccine and emphasized that it’s up to regional authorities to decide whether to tighten coronavirus restrictions.
The elections are over. We assume that unpopular vaccination ideas will be “initiated” from the regions on Kremlin’s order. Moscow will act depending on the reaction without suffering reputation losses.
Kremlin being ready to give regions right to decide on coronavirus restrictions is a joke, because that’s about the only right it is ready to grant them.
Donbass’ industrial giants have officially changed their owner. Previously Donbass industry was monopolized by “Vneshtorgservis” – holding controlled by Ukranian oligarch Sergei Kurchenko and Russian officials like Vladislav Surkov (arranged numerous corruption schemes in Donbass) and Deputy Minister of Economy Sergei Nazarov.
Instead of Kurchenko will now be Yurchenko – Russian billionaire, who previously worked in Svyazinvest. This is not a major change, Kremlin oligarchs just tightened their grip on Donbass economy.
All we can do is send our sincere condolences to the people of Donbass. It is really turning into a wasteland as almost anything Kremlin touches.
Instead of Kurchenko will now be Yurchenko – Russian billionaire, who previously worked in Svyazinvest. This is not a major change, Kremlin oligarchs just tightened their grip on Donbass economy.
All we can do is send our sincere condolences to the people of Donbass. It is really turning into a wasteland as almost anything Kremlin touches.
Pakistani PM Imran Khan said that America should actively engage in Afghanistan and help talibs to maintain stability, otherwise chaos will start in the whole region:
“Unless America takes the lead, we are worried that there will be chaos in Afghanistan and we will be most affected by that“.
Khan added that America must get over shock of defeat in Afghanistan and send aid to avert a looming humanitarian disaster. The Pakistani PM always had a good sense of humour.
What defeat? There is only a change of direction.
Washington assumes that Afghanistan with its new government is not an American problem anymore. If there was a defeat, then why should Pakistan or anyone else look for American help? Biden made the right call.
“Unless America takes the lead, we are worried that there will be chaos in Afghanistan and we will be most affected by that“.
Khan added that America must get over shock of defeat in Afghanistan and send aid to avert a looming humanitarian disaster. The Pakistani PM always had a good sense of humour.
What defeat? There is only a change of direction.
Washington assumes that Afghanistan with its new government is not an American problem anymore. If there was a defeat, then why should Pakistan or anyone else look for American help? Biden made the right call.