Russian President Vladimir Putin does not fully understand why sanctions are being imposed on Russia and does not consider the situation in the Russian economy to be a disaster amid rising unemployment and falling real incomes of Russians.

"We do not impose any sanctions. We only respond somehow, only where it is possible, not to harm ourselves, not to shoot ourselves in the foot. And why the American partners are doing what they are doing so far remains a mystery in many respects," Putin said …

The first phase of the Nord Stream-2 pipeline has been completed, announced Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"I am pleased to report that today, two and a half hours ago, the laying of the pipes of the first line of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline was successfully completed . Work on the second line continues. The construction in its entirety, including the maritime section, is finished," Putin said.

Earlier, the Russian Energy …

The Russian Ministry of Finance has decided to radically change the structure of the National Wealth Fund (NWF), the head of the ministry Anton Siluanov said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

According to him, the fund will completely get rid of investments in U.S. dollars, reduce investments in the British pound, replacing them with the euro, Chinese yuan and gold.

These financial operations will be carried out by the Russian Central Bank as soon as possible. It will be " …