politics
April 17, 2026
Press review: Pakistan advances US-Iran ceasefire as Russia joins Hormuz talks
Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 16th
TL;DR
- Pakistan is actively seeking to facilitate a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with its Prime Minister visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
- Russia has joined discussions aimed at securing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and is working on a joint UN Security Council resolution with China regarding the Iranian issue.
- The situation in Lebanon, with ongoing Israeli attacks, is linked by Iran to the prospects of US-Iran talks, with Tehran viewing the strikes as detrimental to diplomatic confidence.
- Investor sentiment has significantly declined, with concerns about the Middle East conflict leading to expectations of sustained high oil prices, increased inflation, and tighter monetary policies.
- Despite global market concerns, Russian coal exports saw an 8% year-on-year increase in March, partly driven by increased demand from Turkey and South Korea due to disruptions in gas supplies.
- Experts believe the Middle East conflict is contributing to higher coal prices and demand as an alternative energy source, with potential for continued growth in Russian coal exports.
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