Experts from the Gaidar Institute, Dmitry Kuznetsov and Vladimir Sedalishchev, commented for Izvestia on the significance of the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the EAEU and Indonesia. The agreement, signed in St. Petersburg, provides for the elimination of duties on 94% of the union's commodity exports and will affect about $3 bn in mutual trade.
Comments
Gaidar Institute experts: “The FTA agreement with Indonesia opens up long-term prospects for exports.”
29 december 2025
Kirill Chernovol: “The decline in Urals oil prices could not be offset by export growth.”
28 december 2025
Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, stated in a comment for Izvestia that sharp decline in Russian oil prices was not offset by an increase in physical supply volumes.
Kirill Chernovol: “Updating banknotes is a typical practice in cash management.”
27 december 2025
Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, stated in a comment for Izvestia that the process of modernizing banknotes is a routine part of the regulator's work.
Ekaterina Papchenkova took part in the podcast "V-Kurse-Rublia" (T-J)
25 december 2025
As part of the new season of the "V-Kurse-Rublia" podcast, dedicated to key trends in the Russian economy, a discussion on the self-employment regime and its socioeconomic aspects took place. Ekaterina Papchenkova, Director of Center for Evidence-Based-Expertise at the Gaidar Institute, took part in the podcast titled "The number of self-employed in Russia is growing. How will their lives change in the coming years."
Dmitry Evdokimov: The Vladivostok-Nakhodka-Vostochny Port route will increase competitiveness of Far Eastern exports
25 december 2025
Dmitry Evdokimov, Researcher of Quantitative Analysis and Economic Effects Department at the Gaidar Institute, explained in a commentary for Nezavisimaya Gazeta the strategic meaning of the route Vladivostok-Nakhodka-Vostochny Port under construction despite multiple increases in estimated costs and criticism from the Accounts Chamber.
Olga Magomedova: the Moscow pharmaceutical market is growing exponentially due to innovation and production
24 december 2025
Olga Magomedova, Researcher of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, noted in a commentary for Vedomosti the intensive and qualitative expansion of the Moscow pharmaceutical market. Her assessment of the pharmaceutical industry's development came in the context of the overall growth of the Moscow industry, which, according to the authorities, is supported by government support measures and localization opportunities in special economic zones.
Antonina Levashenko cited examples of successful small sustainable regional projects
23 december 2025
Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, commented for Vedomosti. Sustainable Development, she spoke about the development of small sustainable projects in Russian regions, paying particular attention to green energy in the Kamchatka Krai.
Olga Ponomareva: “The stable yuan exchange rate and cultural exchange have contributed to Russians' growing interest in China.”
23 december 2025
Olga Ponomareva, an expert at the Economic Policy Foundation, explained in a commentary for Vedomosti the reasons behind China's growing popularity among Russian tourists, with a forecast of 30% growth in mutual tourist traffic by 2025.
Tatyana Ivakhnenko explained the purpose of raising the minimum wage in Moscow
23 december 2025
Tatyana Ivakhnenko, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's Mathematical Modeling of Economic Processes Department, commented on the Moscow 24 TV channel, explaining the purpose of the upcoming 20% increase in the minimum wage in the capital to 39,730 rubles.
Olga Ponomareva assessed risks to Russian exports due to slowing demand in China
21 december 2025
Olga Ponomareva, Expert at the Economic Policy Foundation, commented to Izvestia on the stagnation of retail sales in China and government measures to stimulate domestic demand.
Evgeny Goryunov called the Central Bank's decision to lower the key rate to 16% a cautious and justified step
19 december 2025
Evgeny Goryunov, Head of the Monetary Policy Department at the Gaidar Institute, commented for the Bank of Russia's decision to lower the key rate on December 19.
Yuri Pleskachev explained what is more important for economic growth: Institutions, geography, or culture
19 december 2025
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.
Kirill Chernovol spoke about an anti-corruption alternative to declarations in the Russian Federation
19 december 2025
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 pointed out the impact of short-term and long-term factors on the oil market
19 december 2025
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.
Kirill Chernovol explained the unpredictability of the EU vote on Russian assets
18 december 2025
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 assessed Russia's chances of recovering trillions from Euroclear as partial
16 december 2025
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.