U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill on September 30 to speed up reviews of energy and infrastructure projects. It would make data centers pay for related power lines and limit some legal challenges; the Senate vote is planned after the November elections.
A decree signed on September 28 bans publication of many details about Russian fuel exports, refinery output, and related business. The new restrictions may make it harder to check compliance with Western sanctions.
Russia’s draft budget plans 17.1 trillion rubles in defense spending in 2027, about 27% above the earlier plan. The government also raised its forecast for the 2026 budget deficit.
Russia’s Finance Ministry is preparing tax-law changes on how businesses can count spending on protection from drones and repairs after attacks. Officials have not announced the detailed rules or when they would begin.
Moldova’s government has asked parliament for a 60-day energy and water emergency starting September 26. Low river levels and risks to winter energy imports are behind the proposal.
President Donald Trump signed a U.S. law on September 18 that strengthens sanctions targeting Russia’s war economy. It also gives the White House authority to impose high tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
EU ambassadors extended individual sanctions linked to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine for one week after disagreement over the possible removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Negotiations are due to continue before September 22.
Russia began a wider rollout of the digital ruble on September 1, 2026. The service is voluntary for individuals, while major banks and qualifying large retailers must make digital-ruble payments possible.
Russia has allowed four major mobile operators to begin building 5G networks. The first networks are planned for large cities, but most users may not notice faster service immediately.
Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing temporary state management of critical infrastructure in Russia when owners fail to protect facilities or restore their work after attacks. The decree covers energy, industry, communications, transport and logistics.
