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Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived in Moscow on a working visit on April 1, 2026. Putin and Pashinyan discussed the current state and prospects of Russian-Armenian strategic partnership and alliance, as well as integration cooperation in the Eurasian space. Current regional issues, in particular the development of economic, transport and logistics ties in the South Caucasus, were also on the agenda of the meeting.

The talks addressed pressing regional issues, with Putin stating that simultaneous EU and EAEU membership is impossible, while Pashinyan indicated Yerevan intends to pursue closer ties with Europe. On March 23, Putin and Pashinyan held a telephone conversation where they discussed bilateral issues and agreed to meet in person at the earliest opportunity.

The Russian President also met with the head of the Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, and the new composition of the commission. The meetings come as Russia continues to navigate complex regional relationships amid ongoing international tensions.

Russia's Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev said Monday that the government will begin cracking down on the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs. "We have an obligation to fulfill the tasks that have been set before us. In this case, the task is to reduce the use of VPNs," Shadayev said in a chat for IT professionals on the state-backed messenger Max.

Shadayev linked the push to what he described as "long, difficult and ultimately unsuccessful" talks with foreign tech companies over compliance with Russian laws, which require that firms maintain a physical presence in the country. His comments came after reports suggested that President Vladimir Putin had ordered the Digital Development Ministry to explore new ways to limit VPN use.

Russian media reported that Russia plans to block Telegram this spring amid government claims the messaging app serves as a haven for criminals and is being used by foreign intelligence services. Two sources close to the Kremlin told the RBC news outlet that the decision to block the platform was "final." Moscow has long flirted with the idea of blocking Telegram, an app with around 90 million users in Russia and one that has become a critical tool for free speech in an otherwise tightly controlled media environment.

Inflation, currently at 5.9%, remains a thorn in the side of the Russian central bank, with interest rates having to be kept stubbornly high, at 15%. Russia's central bank is struggling to tame price rises caused by the Kremlin's massive military spending and an economy that has pivoted toward serving the country's war machine, as well as rising food prices, labor shortages and sanctions.

A Reuters poll of roughly 16 economists cut the median growth forecast for Russia's economy to 0.8% for 2026, down from 1.0% projected a month earlier. The poll arrived as Russian officials were already telegraphing a willingness to revise down the government's own official 2026 growth target, then sitting at around 1.3%.

Russia's civilian industrial sectors accelerated their decline at the start of 2026, according to the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting (CMASF). Industrial production excluding defense-related sectors fell 2% over the winter months. Russia's main stock market index, the MOEX, rose to 2777 points on April 1, 2026, gaining 0.01% from the previous session.

The Moscow Government has integrated intelligent technologies into over 130 urban initiatives, ranging from transportation logistics to public services. The city launched more than 20 new AI-driven projects in 2025 alone, significantly expanding the capabilities of the Moscow Healthcare System.

Moscow clinicians gained access to three new AI-powered services in 2025 designed to enhance fracture detection. Two services focus on identifying multiple fractures in the ankle and wrist, while a third addresses shoulder fractures, one of the most technically challenging anatomical regions in X-ray imaging. These tools identify subtle fractures and detect multiple concurrent pathologies, supporting more comprehensive and precise treatment planning.

The Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Healthcare Department won the Russian Mentoring-2025 competition in the "Mentoring in the Social Sphere and Public Activity" category for its innovative approach to developing scientific talent. In 2025, the capital's medicine made a powerful leap forward to become more personalized, technologically advanced and accessible. In total, the authorities renovated and built more than 340 healthcare institutions operating according to Moscow's unified standard.

The TOLK-2026 intensive finance and investment forum will be held in Moscow, T-Bank said in a statement. The event will be held from April 1 to April 4 in Moscow in two formats: offline and online.

On April 4, former Greek Economy Minister Yanis Varoufakis, author of the best-selling series "Magicians of the Market" Jack Schwager, founder of the world's first neobank Moven Brett King, as well as futurist economist, author of the book "AI Apocalypse" Bronwyn Williams will speak to the audience.

The spike in oil prices has given Moscow breathing room after a steep drop in energy revenues earlier this year. Total gold reserves fell to 74.3 million ounces, their lowest level in four years. The number of loss-making coal companies is "rapidly increasing," with 62 enterprises now in the red, Deputy Energy Minister Dmitry Islamov said.