Putin Restricts Energy Data and Extends Diesel Export Ban

Russian President Vladimir Putin has imposed sweeping new restrictions on information disclosure in Russia's fuel and energy sector, limiting public access to data on energy and refining. Russia is also preparing to extend its ban on diesel exports until the end of October. In separate moves, Putin approved the sale of Western Union's Russian subsidiary to SoftEks and transferred the Russian assets of the German retailer Metro to temporary state management. He also praised the quality of Russian-built nuclear power units.