Foreign media report the Russian central bank will decide today whether to pause
its rate-cut cycle. Fuel supply disruptions and higher government spending have
raised inflation risks, increasing pressure on Governor Nabiullina. Insiders say
the Kremlin did not instruct the central bank to make a specific decision ahead
of parliamentary elections scheduled one week after the rate announcement,
easing a political overhang that was present in July when President Putin twice
publicly urged lower rates.