The main events by the morning: October 25

• The US presidential election promises to be extremely tense: the chances of Trump and Harris are completely equal. The gap in voter support in key swing states remains within the statistical margin of error. Voters note certain differences in the characters of the candidates, which may play a role in their final choice.

• The happiness level of Russians has dropped to a ten-year low. According to recent surveys, the happiness index of Russians has reached 59 points, which is the lowest since 2014. The decline began in the spring of 2023 and accelerated sharply in the summer of 2024. To date, only 35% of respondents consider themselves «definitely happy».

• The Russian Federation and the UK are on the verge of a complete rupture of economic relations. The Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, announced the almost complete cessation of economic ties between the countries. According to him, relations are «in a protracted crisis» due to the policy of «strategic deterrence» of the United Kingdom, which has shifted from 2022 to an attempt to «strategically defeat» Russia.

• Foreign businesses will be able to return to Russia after the lifting of sanctions. State Duma deputy Nikolai Arefyev said that foreign companies that left Russia after the start of their operations will be able to resume operations in the country after the end of the conflict and the lifting of restrictions. According to him, trade relations with Western countries remain in those areas where it is still possible.

• The EU is considering new duties on Russian agricultural products and fertilizers. Several countries have proposed the introduction of high duties on imports of agricultural and fish products from Russia and Belarus. Earlier, the bloc has already increased duties on Russian grain, and now similar measures may affect fertilizers. It is worth noting that Russia occupies about 18% of the global market.