The main events by the morning: February 25

• Putin held a meeting on the development of the rare earth metals industry. The Russian president said he did not rule out involving foreign partners, including the United States, in projects in this area. He also suggested thinking about launching an aluminum mining project in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, which could involve American companies. According to Putin, Russia is ready to supply the United States with 2 million tons of aluminum per year.

• Bitcoin is falling: yesterday it was minus 5%, today it is minus 3%. Experts attribute the fall of the coin to the expectation of an increase in the key rate in the United States: inflation may unexpectedly surprise. The index of fear and greed in the crypto market has collapsed from a neutral level to the «extreme fear» zone. 

• At the upcoming meeting between representatives of the United States and Russia, the American side plans to discuss the steps that Moscow is ready to take to resolve the conflict. This was stated by Secretary of State Rubio. At the same time, the White House announced Trump's intention to hold meetings with Putin and Zelensky soon. Russia continues to insist that its goals have not been achieved, and territorial issues will not be discussed in future negotiations.

• The European Union is launching a preemptive strike against the United States. Brussels intends to expand the list of goods subject to European duties. However, new measures will be introduced only if Trump decides to impose duties on European steel and aluminum.

• Russian banks express confidence in the reduction of the Central Bank's key interest rate. At the end of February, rates on ruble deposits reached multi-month lows, averaging in the range of 20.2-21.2%, depending on the deposit period. This indicates the reaction of credit institutions to the softening of the Central Bank's rhetoric and the possibility of an early easing of monetary policy in the country.