Moscow reopens bond markets to investors from 'non-hostile countries'

By Aysu Bicer

ANKARA (AA) - Russia on Monday began allowing foreign investors from “non-hostile countries” to trade on the Moscow Exchange (MOEX), according to a statement.

The country had shut down its stock and bond markets since Feb. 24, when President Vladimir Putin ordered thousands of troops to enter Ukraine.

"The Moscow Exchange will provide non-resident clients from non-hostile countries, as well as non-residents whose ultimate beneficiaries are Russian legal entities or individuals to make transactions on the bond market," said the statement, which was released Friday.

China and Türkiye are highly likely to be among the beneficiaries, as they have not joined in sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, the ruble’s performance against the US dollar and euro remained limited even though restrictions on the transactions of foreigners were partially lifted.

The dollar/ruble parity increased by 1.2% to 61.3, and the euro/ruble parity increased by 0.3% to 62.5.

The MOEX fell 0.02% to 2,146 points, while the dollar-based RTS index fell 1.2% to 1,102 points.

Russia considers members of the European Union, Canada and Japan "hostile" countries, which accounted for 90% of the investments into the country last year.