RUR in the spotlight: latest news

An Israeli diplomat has warned that a $10 drop in oil prices poses a significant risk to the stability of the Russian economy. This forecast comes amid ongoing events in Ukraine and their economic implications.

Russia will face long-term financial repercussions from its invasion of Ukraine, even if the conflict were to cease immediately. The government is working to address a growing budget deficit that has emerged as a result of the ongoing war.

The Eurasian Development Bank has released its Macroeconomic Outlook for 2026-2028, focusing on the financing of investment projects across Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has revised its macroeconomic forecast, projecting a GDP growth of 1.8% for Belarus in 2026.

The Russian government anticipates that state debt will reach around $3.0 trillion by 2042, with annual borrowing projected to surpass 1% of GDP during the 2040s.

Hungary has decided to maintain its key interest rate, in line with expectations, ahead of the release of the central bank's updated inflation projections, which investors are closely monitoring.

Hungary's central bank indicated that it might consider monetary easing if inflation rates and currency trends permit a change in policy.

As of 3:30 PM EST on December 15, 2025, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is trading near $56 per barrel, while Brent crude is around $60. Concerns are rising about potential clashes in Venezuela amid forecasts predicting an oversupply of oil in 2026.

Pfizer (PFE) has made headlines today with updates regarding its dividend, a guidance call for 2026, recent deals in obesity treatment, and forecasts from analysts.

On December 15, 2025, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) established the official exchange rate for the U.S. dollar at 42.1936 UAH. Meanwhile, the cash market rate is approaching 42.50 UAH. Weekly forecasts predict the exchange rate will range between 42.3 and 42.8 UAH.

On December 15, 2025, the Russian Ruble was trading around 79 per US dollar. The exchange rate is being influenced by the ongoing Euroclear lawsuit, fluctuations in oil prices, and market speculation regarding potential interest rate cuts.

Russia's oil and gas revenues are projected to nearly halve by December 2025, hitting their lowest levels since 2020.

Russia's oil and gas revenues are projected to decline by nearly 50% in December, reaching 410 billion rubles (approximately USD). This marks the lowest level in five years.

Analysts from Reuters predict that Russia's state revenues from oil and gas sales are expected to nearly halve by December 2025 compared to the previous year.

Oil prices are experiencing a decline, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading at approximately $57.30 and Brent crude around $60.96. This drop is attributed to a projected surplus of 3.84 million barrels per day in 2026, recent cuts by the Federal Reserve, and the seizure of U.S. tankers, which are all contributing to downward pressure on crude prices.

Russian budget revenues from oil and gas sales are projected to decrease by nearly 50% in December 2025, attributed to declining oil prices and a strengthening ruble. This significant reduction is anticipated to have repercussions on the economy.

The Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) has revised its economic forecast for Kazakhstan, predicting an annual growth rate of between 5.3% and 5.9% for the years 2026 to 2028.

The budget deficit in Russia has surged 12 times since the start of the year, according to new data released.

Tonight, the wind will diminish, leading to the formation of low clouds or fog in low-lying areas and near bodies of water after midnight.

The tax on interest is altering the financial behavior of Russian depositors.

Russia's oil revenue crisis is destabilizing the financial sector, as oil prices have dropped by 33% this year. Major state-owned banks are reporting severe loan losses, raising concerns about a potential meltdown of the banking system.

President Vladimir Putin has confirmed a revision of macroeconomic forecasts for 2025, indicating that the GDP of the Russian Federation is expected to decline to 1%.

A recent survey indicates that half of Russian households struggle to predict their income beyond six months, even as their earnings have been increasing for nearly three years.

The Belarusian ruble has strengthened as the dollar declined by 1.9 kopecks, reaching its lowest level in 2.5 years. Meanwhile, the euro also decreased by 1.75 kopecks, while the Russian ruble gained value.

An aide to Russian President Maxim Oreshkin has stated that the rapid growth of cryptocurrency mining is significantly altering predictions for the ruble's value.