Russia Resumes Currency and Gold Purchases After Year of Asset Sales

The Russian Ministry of Finance will resume purchases of foreign currency and gold under the budget rule for the first time in a year. Until now, the department had been selling assets each month, and in March-April 2026 it suspended all such operations entirely. In May and early June 2026, the Ministry of Finance will purchase foreign currency and gold worth 5.8 billion rubles per day, according to an official statement. "The total volume of funds allocated for the purchase of foreign currency and gold, within additional oil and gas revenues of the federal budget in May 2026, taking into account deferred operations for March and April 2026, amounts to 110.3 billion rubles. Operations will be conducted from May 8, 2026, to June 4, 2026, with daily purchases equivalent to 5.8 billion rubles,” the ministry said.