The Russian rouble surged past 81 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, marking a 40% increase since the beginning of 2025.
The currency's rise is largely attributed to rising oil prices, which have bolstered Russia's main export sector. At 0900 GMT, the rouble was up by 1.5%, reaching 80.90 to the dollar in light trading ahead of the Orthodox Easter holiday. Oil prices saw a 3% jump on April 17, further supporting the rouble's gains.
This marks the rouble's strongest position since June 28, 2024, signaling a notable recovery for the Russian currency. The rouble has gained significantly since the start of the year, buoyed by expectations of easing tensions between Russia and the United States. Despite this, the rouble has remained unaffected by recent comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested that President Donald Trump may soon abandon efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine unless clear progress is made.
Against the Chinese yuan, which the Russian central bank uses for foreign exchange interventions, the rouble was up 0.1%, trading at 11.08 on the Moscow Stock Exchange. The rouble's resilience reflects both the strength of Russia's energy exports and the ongoing shift in global financial dynamics.
Finland is ramping up security along its eastern border, warning of a potential Russian troop buildup once the war in Ukraine ends. The development comes as Helsinki continues to bolster its border security with a new fence aimed at deterring hybrid threats.
Russia has voiced serious concern over the U.S. Golden Dome defense initiative, a $175 billion project aimed at countering threats from China and Russia.
The Kremlin, asked on Thursday about a planned prisoner of war swap with Ukraine of 1,000 captives each, said that work was underway, and that each side wants to complete the exchange as quickly as possible.
Polish authorities are investigating whether explosive devices were planted near a critical undersea power cable linking Poland and Sweden, following suspicious activity by a Russian “shadow fleet” vessel in the area, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday.
Iran’s parliament on Wednesday ratified a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement with Russia, a move that signals deeper military and economic alignment between the two countries.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival kicked off in Istanbul with Azerbaijan’s 100-member team and famed Karabakh horses drawing major attention.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Baku hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the UN’s GlobE Network, gathering anti-corruption officials from 92 countries to strengthen global cooperation and chart the network’s next steps.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Shein says French consumers may face higher prices if the EU imposes handling fees and France enacts new penalties on fast fashion. The platform criticizes the lack of dialogue with authorities as pressure mounts on budget e-commerce models.
Telegram has reported a remarkable $540 million profit last year, marking its first annual profit after years of losses. The Dubai-based messaging app’s revenues surged to $1.4 billion in 2024, up from $343 million the previous year, based on a company presentation reviewed by the Financial Times.
The U.S. government's decision in April 2025 to impose stricter export controls on advanced semiconductors has delivered a significant blow to Nvidia, compelling the company to obtain licenses for sales of its H20 AI chips to China—one of its largest and most strategically important markets.
Chinese EV maker BYD has unveiled its budget-friendly Dolphin Surf in Berlin, intensifying competition in Europe's electric car market with prices starting at just €19,990.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival kicked off in Istanbul with Azerbaijan’s 100-member team and famed Karabakh horses drawing major attention.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Baku hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the UN’s GlobE Network, gathering anti-corruption officials from 92 countries to strengthen global cooperation and chart the network’s next steps.
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