Given the centrality of energy to the Russian economy and the withering impact of continuing low energy prices and sanctions, Russia has ample reason to promote energy deals with anyone it can find. The annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has historically served as a venue for announcing major deals, and this year’s event (June 18–20) was no different. Reportedly, Russia signed 205 agreements totaling 293 billion rubles ($5.4 billion). But although Russian companies reached 30 more agreements this year than in 2014, the monetary sum of all these deals is was actually $2 billion less (The Moscow Times, June …read more
Source: The Jamestown Foundation