🇷🇺 Russia

War & Conflict

• All-out warRussia-Ukraine War

  US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine ended their two-day round in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 11 without a breakthrough on the war but with an agreement in principle on a large prisoner exchange.…

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

• Medinsky cites 'mutual understanding' on some issues, more talks; insists Russia will reclaim 'every inch'

  Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said after the Abu Dhabi talks ended on Nov. 11 that the sides reached mutual understanding on some issues but not others and that more talks would follow. He said a new large-scale prisoner exchange was agreed in principle, with details to be announced soon. European security was the central topic, and the Russian delegation had no contact with European representatives in Abu Dhabi. He also said 'every inch of our land will be returned to Russia', signaling no shift on territory.

  Sources: meduza.ioanews.com.tr

Finance & Economy

• Rouble near 83.5 per dollar

  On 1 October USD/RUB was 83.51 (+0.16%), with the rouble up 4.2% over a month. It turned slightly stronger from the previous 84-85 range (single source: Trading Economics).

  Sources: tradingeconomics.com

Tech & Energy

• Ukraine claims 51% of Russian refining capacity knocked out

  Ukraine’s defence ministry claimed that strikes on refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov, Syzran and elsewhere on Sunday 4 October had knocked out 51% of Russia’s refining capacity. This has not been independently verified.

  Sources: pbs.orgwashingtontimes.com

Key relations

• Tension🇷🇺 Russia → 🇺🇦 Ukraine

  Abu Dhabi talks end with only a prisoner-swap deal

  The trilateral talks that ended on Nov. 11 produced agreement in principle on a large prisoner swap but no breakthrough on territory or a ceasefire. Medinsky said Russia would reclaim 'every inch' of its land.

• Support🇷🇺 Russia → 🇮🇷 Iran

  Russia-Iran alignment

  Moscow and Tehran have stressed close ties since Lavrov's visit to Iran. Ghalibaf claimed US officials asked Putin during a Moscow visit to mediate direct talks with Tehran (not independently verified).