The main events by the morning: October 8

• US Vice President Kamala Harris has ruled out the possibility of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine's participation. In an interview with CBS, she stressed that «Ukraine should have a say in determining its future.» According to Harris, Iran is the main opponent of the United States on the world stage. If elected president, she intends to focus on preventing Iran from building a nuclear arsenal.

• Debts of foreign companies to Russian ones may be considered «hopeless» due to the inability to pay them due to sanctions. The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) plans to appeal to the government with a proposal to allow the write-off of such debts as expenses, which would reduce the tax base of companies.

• There is a growing shortage of migrant workers in Russia. According to the RSPP survey, two thirds of companies that previously employed migrants face difficulties in attracting new workers. The main problems include the lack of qualified specialists, failures in Russian language exams, regional restrictions on hiring and difficulties in obtaining entry permits. 

• Cuba has sent an official request to Russia to join the BRICS. This was stated by Carlos Pereira, Director General for Bilateral Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic. The next BRICS summit, which will discuss the expansion of the union, will be held from October 22 to 24 in Kazan. Malaysia and Azerbaijan have already submitted official applications to join the BRICS in 2024.

• Mortgage market rates in Russia exceeded 22%. Mortgages continue to update historical highs. The weighted average rate in the primary market reached 22.33%. The Bank of Russia's mistake will lead to a further increase in mortgage rates. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation, according to recent forecasts, plans to further tighten the monetary policy.