BREAKING: LIVE, war in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Saudi Arabia; Ukraine and Russia exchange more than 380 prisoners of war: the latest information
New information reveals that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Hello Hailey, thank you for your message! The Central Bank of Russia (BCR) lowered its key rate by 0.5 points on Friday, to 14.5%, in a context of economic difficulties due to the cost of the offensive in Ukraine and Western sanctions. The BCR said it expected an average key rate of between 14 and 14.5% this year, and between 8 and 10% in 2027. It also estimates that annual inflation should reach between 4.5 and 5.5% in 2026. The BCR also declared, in a press release, to continue to count on a GDP growth forecast for 2026 of between 0.5 and 1.5%. By 2025, Russian GDP had increased by 1%, a much slower pace of growth than in 2024. The central bank had maintained a key rate at almost 20% for two years, while the Russian economy benefited from the explosion in military spending linked to the large-scale offensive in Ukraine launched in February 2022. But this colossal spending also pushed up inflation, weighing on GDP growth, while businesses denounced the costs high borrowing. The BCR gradually lowered its key rate in 2025 as inflation slowed from 9.5% in 2024 to around 5.6% last year. The war in the Middle East brought Moscow some financial respite. According to the International Energy Agency, Russia almost doubled its revenue from oil exports in March. But structural problems, such as labor shortages, currency volatility, stubborn inflation and a sluggish investment climate, continue to hold back growth.
What This Means:
This report highlights significant developments in the international landscape that could reshape diplomatic relations in the coming weeks.
World leaders are expected to respond to these developments in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.
Source: This article was originally published in another language by International : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr. and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.