New Defense Minister Andrey Belousov will be able to properly steward the country’s substantial defense spending and ensure it helps the civilian economy, rather than detracts from it, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

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Switzerland reportedly makes first bullion purchase from the sanctioned country since February Switzerland imported gold from Russia in May for the first time since February, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. According to the article, the move suggests that the industry’s stance toward Russian precious metals may be softening.