The Russian currency also strengthened its position against the dollar, climbing back to pre-conflict levels The Russian ruble rose to its strongest position since March 2020 against the European single currency, paring some gains after the Bank of Russia cut interest rates.

Moscow’s Ministry of Finance says dollar payments on foreign bonds previously stuck by sanctions are progressing Russia has finally managed to make dollar payments on two foreign bonds after sanctions introduced on the country’s financial system over its offensive in Ukraine had been holding transactions up for weeks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promised to take decisive action and “crush” any “hostile” foreign power, just days after saying Pyongyang would advance its own atomic arsenal “at the fastest possible speed.”