Blavatnik holds both U.S. and U.K. citizenship and has generously funded election campaigns for both Democrats and Republicans.
At present, experts see no reason for the Kremlin leader to end the war, despite the high costs and heavy losses.
Officially, 89-year-old Salman remains the monarch. However, his public activity has nearly ceased, and updates on his health have become rare.
For Putin, this will be his 25th trip to China. Moscow and Beijing are portraying the two-day visit as confirmation of their “all-weather” partnership, despite Western pressure on China to use its influence over Russia to help end the war in Ukraine.
The moment came as Trump, visibly pleased by the exclusive tour, asked Xi whether other foreign leaders were usually received inside the compound.
Bloomberg, citing the South China Morning Post, reported the possible trip based on sources familiar with the preparations.
According to Bloomberg, dozens of ships in tracking systems suddenly began appearing not at sea, but on land — deep inside the territory of the United Arab Emirates and near the border with Oman.
According to Bloomberg, the statement came as Moscow and Kyiv exchanged accusations over competing ceasefire proposals.
Russia is preparing to resume purchases of foreign currency for the National Wealth Fund for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Recent developments inside Russia suggest the system is struggling to cope with mounting pressures.
Bloomberg notes that Russian air defenses usually intercept drones on the approaches to the capital or in the suburbs, making the hit on a building in an upscale district not only a military episode but also a symbolically sensitive event.
The UAE’s decision to leave OPEC is more than a technical dispute over production quotas. It is another sign that the old petrodollar order is fading — though not yet proof that a petroyuan era has arrived.
According to Bloomberg, all nine economists surveyed expect the Bank of Russia to lower its key rate to 14.5% at Friday’s meeting.
