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Economic crisis eliminates 20% of middle class in Russia
The Russian economy’s longest recession in 20 years has eliminated 20% of the middle class and made savings a luxury unavailable to the overwhelming majority.
In May 2018, only 19% of Russians belonged to the middle class, that is, people who can easily buy not only clothing and food, but also durable goods. Before the start of the crisis it was 24%, and the current proportion is the lowest in 5 years, data from a NAFI survey indicates.
In fact, the middle class is even smaller: a salary of …
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Russian ambassador from 'cocaine case' moves from Argentina to Mexico
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree relieving Russian ambassador to Argentina Viktor Koronelli, who informed the Argentine authorities about the discovery of cocaine in the back room of the school attached to the embassy. Another presidential decree appointed Koronelli to the post of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Russia in Mexico, relieving his predecessor, Eduard Malayan, from office.
Viktor Koronelli called his appointment to the post a great honor and trust, …
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Vice Speaker of Ukrainian Parliament: Sentsov will not ask Putin for pardon
Ukrainian director Oleg Sentsov, who has been convicted by Russia of "terrorism," will not ask Russian President Vladimir Putin for clemency which will allow him to be exchanged for Russian prisoners in Ukraine, wrote First Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Herashchenko on her personal Facebook page.
“Putin's Press Secretary [Dmitry] Peskov states that [Oleg] Sentsov ‘must take care of his pardon himself,’ hinting that Oleg should have appealed to the Russian president with such a …
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Ukraine to discuss Russia’s actions in the Azov and Black Seas with the EU
During the Ukraine-EU Summit on July 9, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko plans to discuss Russia’s military presence in the Black and Azov Seas with EU leaders, which is a cause of concern for Ukraine.
“We look forward to a firm position of the EU regarding new Russian challenges for security in the Black and Azov Seas,” Poroshenko wrote on Facebook page. “We will discuss this issue with the EU leaders at the summit on July 9.”
On Monday, the Secretary of the National Security and …
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Putin and Lukashenko sign a statement on the expansion of strategic partnership between Russia and Belarus
Following a Higher State Council meeting of the Union State, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a joint statement, the Kremlin’s press-service reports.
“Following the meeting of the Higher State Council of the Union State, leaders of both countries adopted a joint statement in which they confirmed their common desire to strengthen and expand the strategic partnership between Russia and Belarus,” the statement reads.
As part of this …