Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Friday said he disagreed the country needed new currency controls to prevent devaluation of the ruble. It is possible in theory but it would mean abandoning ambitious plans of turning the ruble into a regional reserve currency, Putin said in a meeting with senior government officials, the Financial Times reported. It would be a shame to lose such an advantage, he said.

Excerpt from report by state-owned Russian television channel Rossiya on 17 June [Presenter] Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was today presented with a strategy for the development of rail transport until the year 2030.

MOSCOW.

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD) has not yet signed contracts to ship oil to China in 2008, Vladimir Yakunin, the Russian railway monopoly's president, told a press conference. "We'll carry as much as we are asked to.

Text of report by private and pro-government Armenian news agency Arminfo Yerevan, 16 January: The Russian Railways (RR) closed joint- stock company is ready to take part in the construction of the Iran- Armenia railway, RR President Vladimir Yakunin said at a news conference in Yerevan today.