Russia's State Duma passed its first comprehensive cryptocurrency law, establishing a licensing regime for exchanges and limiting legal trading to Bitcoin and Ethereum for most investors. The law, expected to take effect September 1, permits crypto for international trade to circumvent Western sanctions, while banning privacy coins and domestic crypto payments.
Russia's State Duma is holding final readings on a bill to regulate cryptocurrency, introducing annual purchase limits for non-qualified investors (300,000 rubles) and cross-border transfer limits, aiming to establish a legal framework by Sept. 1.
Russia supports the European Shooting Confederation's decision to move the 2027 European Air Rifle Championship from Estonia to Spain, citing Estonia's refusal to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes entry as discriminatory. A Russian lawmaker stated that organizers failing obligations cannot host events.
Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin stated that Russia will ensure the Cuban people can independently plan their future, free from external influence. He spoke at an exhibition honoring Fidel Castro's centenary, emphasizing warm Russia-Cuba relations and opposing sanctions.
Russian State Duma official Nikolay Novichkov stated the Roman Catholic Church is in conflict with the US and EU over war assessments, citing Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez's criticism of the EU's double standards. Novichkov also noted the Vatican's historical hostility towards Russia and expressed a slim hope for the Pope to condemn the Kyiv regime.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting the State Duma elections for September 20. This marks the first time residents of Donbass and Novorossiya will participate in parliamentary elections. Over 2,200 elections at various levels are scheduled for the same day.
Russian Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated that Russia-Kazakhstan economic relations are growing despite sanctions, with trade turnover approaching $30 billion. Kazakhstan's Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev confirmed Russia as the largest trade partner and invited Russian deputies to observe upcoming parliamentary elections.
Russia's State Duma has ratified the EAEU-UAE economic partnership agreement, signed in June 2025, which establishes preferential trade regimes for over 85% of goods and deepens cooperation in multiple economic areas.
Russia's State Duma has ratified a trade agreement with the UAE, aiming to liberalize and facilitate trade in services and investment, providing favorable conditions for Russian companies in the UAE market.
Russia's State Duma passes a bill in its first reading, proposing stricter residency rules for foreigners with any criminal record, including requirements for criminal record certificates and specific qualifications for labor migrants.
Russia's successful test of the Sarmat ICBM system sparks varied responses globally, with Russian officials highlighting its strategic superiority and Western 'friends' being ironically noted as 'closer within reach'. Experts weigh in on its impact on nuclear deterrence, geopolitics, and the futility of Western militarization efforts.
Russia's State Duma approves a treaty with South Ossetia to enhance strategic alliance through coordinated policies, socio-economic development, and infrastructure integration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced readiness to declare a ceasefire for Victory Day celebrations during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on April 29. The conversation lasted over an hour and a half and marked their 12th interaction since Trump returned to the White House in early 2025. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said specific dates of the Victory Day ceasefire will be announced. Trump described the conversation as 'very good' and expressed belief that a solution to the Ukrainian crisis would be found relatively quickly.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for doing everything necessary to ensure the security of all participants in the upcoming September State Duma elections. Speaking in Moscow, Putin emphasized that security and counter-terrorism efforts carry special importance ahead of the parliamentary vote, with priorities including candidates, election commission members, observers, and tens of millions of voters who will cast their ballots at polling stations.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin in Pyongyang to discuss bilateral ties and honor North Korean soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine.
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang to discuss bilateral ties and attend a memorial ceremony for Korean soldiers who participated in the conflict in the Kursk region.
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin met with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Presidium in Pyongyang, calling for expanded cooperation between Russian and Korean legislators. Volodin highlighted the dynamic development of Russia-DPRK relations thanks to leaders Putin and Kim Jong Un, and mentioned the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. He invited Jo Yong Won to pay an official visit to Russia.
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin met with North Korean officials in Pyongyang to express gratitude for Korea's assistance in what Russia calls the fight against neo-Nazi invaders. Volodin, on instructions from President Putin, thanked Chairman Kim Jong Un and the Korean people, noting that Russia will cherish the memory of fallen Korean soldiers. A Museum of Military Exploits and memorial complex was opened in Pyongyang at Kim Jong Un's initiative, described as a monument to Russian-Korean brotherhood in arms.
The Chairman of the State Duma will take part in the opening ceremony of the memorial complex and the Museum of Military Heroism of the Heroes of the Foreign Military Operation
Russia is preparing to submit a bill ratifying the UN Convention against Cybercrime to the State Duma in the coming months, with completion expected by year's end. Only Qatar and Azerbaijan have ratified the convention so far, which requires at least 40 parliaments worldwide to enter into force.
Russia's State Duma passed bill No. 1194918-8 'On Digital Currency and Digital Rights' in first reading on Tuesday, moving Moscow closer to a regulated crypto trading system. The legislation would allow Russians to buy and sell crypto through approved intermediaries starting July 2026, while banning unlicensed platforms in 2027. Retail investors would face limits including a 300,000 rubles annual cap and can only trade the most liquid digital currencies meeting strict capitalization and volume thresholds.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that State Duma elections will be held in fall 2026, with residents of the four historical regions recently reunited with Russia participating for the first time. Putin noted that elections in Donbass and Novorossiya will be held under difficult conditions.
Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma's committee on international affairs and LDPR Party leader, said the electoral victory of Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party demonstrates society's fatigue from Russophobic policies harming national interests. He noted growing fragmentation among 'sovereigntists' in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Hungary, calling it a response to EU leadership's alleged push toward military confrontation with Russia.
