Russia

It has been six months since I last analyzed the minimum wages in the former Soviet Union. Although it is not a major factor in economic growth, the minimum wage is still a relevant indicator in understanding a country's economic status. In my previous research in 2013, I found that Estonia had the highest minimum wage of $427, while Kyrgyzstan had the lowest at just $17 per month. In this updated analysis for 2014, the highest minimum wage is still in Estonia, with an increase to $480, and…

<p>On the other day I spent interesting afternoon walking around one of Tbilisi's neighbourhoods - Saburtalo. Made a ton of instagrams, visited local shopping chain Goodwill, tasted sushi and other different activities.</p><p>On days like that - is great opportunity to observe what is happening around in city and in country. You might ask how? Well, it's easy with your eyes. I usually prefer free business newspapers available in different city's place. So it got…

The Ukrainian economy has struggled to reach its full potential, with a GDP per capita of $3,866 thousands in 2012. Despite recent developments, such as the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union, Ukraine's economy remains far behind that of its neighbors, including Russia. A look at the historical GDP data for Ukraine reveals a pattern of underperformance compared to Russia. Despite being a relatively large country, Ukraine has consistently had a GDP per capita that is…

I spent a lovely afternoon at one of the many parks in Tbilisi on Eristavi street. I was surprised to see that there were many American people living or walking around the area. I had some free time and decided to buy an English newspaper, but I was disappointed to find out that all the newspapers and magazines at the stands were in Georgian. When I asked if they had any Russian newspapers, I was offered a crossword puzzle. I continued my search for a newspaper in English or Russian and…

South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia, has expressed its desire to join the Russian Federation. The region has been de facto independent since a 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, which resulted in Russia's recognition of the region's independence. However, South Ossetia's independence is only recognized by a handful of countries, including Russia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. In February 2021, South Ossetia's parliament adopted a resolution calling for the region's integration into…

Russia Today has gifted us with an awe-inspiring documentary called "Russia in Miniature," which showcases a miniature replica of the largest country in the world, built on an exhibition hall in scale 1:87. This project is a result of breathtaking work by a team of designers and engineers who have painstakingly built intricate and lifelike details of the various regions of Russia. If you are a fan of railway models like myself, you will be thrilled to see the Transsiberian express leaving…

<p>A joint statement from the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission.</p><blockquote><ul><li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission, join…

Transnistria is a breakaway region located in Eastern Europe, sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine. The region has been unrecognized by the international community since it declared independence in 1990, following the fall of the Soviet Union. Transnistria has a complex history and cultural identity, with a significant population of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians. The region's language and culture are heavily influenced by Russian traditions, and the people of Transnistria generally identify…

The Olympic Games are a global event that brings together the world's top athletes in a spirit of international cooperation and friendly competition. However, the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014 were marred by controversy and political tension, as many political leaders chose not to attend the event. The Sochi Olympics were hosted by Russia, and tensions between Russia and other countries were high at the time due to political and social issues. In the lead-up to the games, there were concerns…

Ukraine has long been at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and the West, and the country's energy sector has been a key battleground in this ongoing conflict. The latest chapter in this story revolves around Ukraine's gas supply, which has become a major point of contention between the country and its neighbors. Ukraine is heavily reliant on gas imports, with more than half of its natural gas coming from Russia. This dependence has been a source of tension between the two…