The value of the index of the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX) today, December 29, exceeded 2,800 points, for the first time since September 18, on a wave of optimism regarding possible progress in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
At 11:35 a.m. (1:35 p.m. Moscow time), MOEX reached 2,805.88 points, with an increase of 1.86 percent, while the RTS index, expressed in dollars, jumped by 1.85 percent to 1,138.33 points.
Market optimism was fueled by the statement of US President Donald Trump, who announced on Sunday that he had a productive telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, just before the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, writes Interfax and adds that Trump stated that “significant progress” had been achieved in the negotiations with Zelensky, including discussions on all aspects of the peace agreement, noting that the issue of Donbass remains unresolved.
The president of the United States of America added that he will continue contacts with the Ukrainian leader on Monday and during the next two weeks.
However, Trump warned that “unexpected problems” may arise that could jeopardize the efforts so far, while in the coming weeks he will assess the realistic possibilities of ending the crisis in Ukraine, reports Tanjug.
