Steve Rosenberg: Reading Russia Weekend Extra: Memories of a NATO Visit to Moscow.

Feb 8, 2026 | I’m back with another Reading Russia Weekend Extra. In this edition: what the Russian papers have been saying about talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi and the Olympics in Milan-Cortina, plus memories of a NATO chief visiting Moscow 25 years ago.

Steve Rosenberg: “Several Think Tanks Warning of a Recession in Russia": Russian Paper

Feb 6, 2026 | From today’s Russian papers: “You don’t have to be an economist to forecast a recession: Russia’s export revenue is falling, budget revenues are falling, taxes rising, consumer demand shrinking…” Another paper: “Oil & gas revenues fall…rise in bread prices.” Also today, what the Russian papers are saying about the two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi.

Steve Rodenberg: What Are the Russian Papers Saying about Peace Talks on Ukraine?

Feb 4, 2026 | No hint of compromise from Moscow ahead of peace talks in Abu Dhabi. The Russian government paper: “We’ll continue strikes until Kyiv signs a peace deal on our terms.” Other papers today focus on the economy: “India cuts Russian oil imports 3 ½ times,” “systemic banking crisis”, “car sales down.”

Steve Rosenberg: In Russia "Uncertainty, Lack of Money, Economic Crisis" Fuelling Anxiety: Russian Paper

Feb 2, 2026 | Today one Russian paper reports that “Russians’ anxiety has increased due to uncertainty, a lack of money, the economic crisis and a decline in production.” Another writes about an increase in “depression, anxiety & stress disorders” in Russia.

Steve Rosenberg: Reading Russia Weekend Extra

In “Reading Russia Weekend Extra”: what the Russian papers are saying about Russia’s economy, an interview with a newspaper chief, plus details of our film for BBC Panorama: ‘Our Man in Moscow’ is on @BBCOne at 8pm on Feb 2nd. Also on @BBCiPlayer

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Paper Concerned about "Off-switch for the Internet"

Jan 29, 2026 | With the FSB set to secure broad powers to cut communications, one Russian paper today criticises the idea: “It is impossible to imagine the functioning of a modern economy without a functioning Internet.”

Another paper looks at prices in 2026: “Vodka up 17%, cucumbers up 21.3%.”

Steve Rosenberg: “Trump Has Decided to Sink the EU": Russian Paper Writing about Greenland.

Jan 21, 2026 | “Trump has decided to sink the European Union,” declares one Russian paper today writing about Greenland. Lots about Greenland in the Russian press. But also domestic economic problems: “Prices ready to soar”, Moscow cafes closing & “Russia’s car industry completely dependent on China’s.”