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Yuri Pleskachev Senior Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's Quantitative Analysis of Economic Effects Department, explained one of the fundamental questions of economics: what factors determine long-term growth—the quality of institutions, geographical conditions, or cultural characteristics. He noted that modern research does not provide a clear answer, and that economic dynamics are formed at the intersection of all three groups of factors.

The package of bills adopted by the State Duma, which abolishes annual income declarations for civil servants and deputies in favor of a system of continuous automated control, may increase the effectiveness of the fight against corruption, but it carries digital risks. This opinion was expressed in a comment for TASS by Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department.

Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, analyzed the current situation on the oil market in a commentary for «Nezavisimaya Gazeta». According to her assessment, prices are influenced by a combination of short-term and long-term factors.

Yevgeny Goryunov, Head of the Gaidar Institute's Monetary Policy Department, commented for the Bank of Russia's decision to lower the key rate on December 19.

Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, at the Gaidar Institute, commented to TASS on the situation around possible EU members’ vote on using frozen Russian assets for the so called “reparation loan” to Ukraine.

Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, commented for «Vzglyad» on the prospects of the Bank of Russia's lawsuit against the Belgian depository Euroclear for 18.17 trillion rubles in connection with the Central Bank's demand to return frozen assets and lost profits.

Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, commented for TASS on the possible timeframe for resolving the Bank of Russia's lawsuit against the Belgian depository Euroclear.

Despite persistently high US tariffs, China achieved a record trade surplus by reorienting trade flows. Olga Ponomareva and Vladimir Sedalishchev, experts at the Economic Policy Foundation, spoke to RBC about mechanisms behind this adaptation and possible countermeasures from other countries.

Commenting for TASS on the Bank of Russia initiative to go to court to protect its financial interests, Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, expressed confidence that the Central Bank would be able to initiate a second lawsuit against Euroclear, in addition to the current lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court.

Maria Girich, Researcher of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, explained in a commentary for Kommersant the tax implications of digital tips transferred through platforms. She noted that there is no direct legal regulation in this area in Russia, and the taxation process depends on how the money is transferred.

Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, explained the reasons for low credit rating of young Russians in a commentary for RTVI. She believes the problem is related to the specifics of financial behavior, which make the bank considering risks of defaults in a payment.

Alexey Vedev Leading Researcher, Financial Sector Department at the Gaidar Institutestated in a commentary for «Izvestia» that inflation trend in Russia remains downward. He predicted its slowdown to around 5% in 2026.

Dmitry Evdokimov, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's Laboratory for Quantitative Analysis of Economic Effects,commented for Nezavisimaya Gazeta on the government's decision to expand the list of technologies for special investment contracts (SPIC).

Sergey Drobyshevsky,, Principal Researcher at the Gaidar Institute, assessed the factors driving labor productivity growth worldwide and Russia's prospects relative to leading economies in a commentary for RBC.

Maria Girich, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, praised the effectiveness of mechanisms for collecting and recycling used car tires in a comment for Rossiyskaya Gazeta , noting that the Russian approach is in line with international experience.

Tatyana Ivakhnenko, Research fellow at the Gaidar Institute's Mathematical Modeling of Economic Processes Department, noted in a comment for RBC on the applicability of the “K-shaped” economic model observed in the US to the situation in Russia.