IMF postpones Russia visit after heavy criticism across Europe

September182024
A picture


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indefinitely postponed a staff mission to Moscow this week to review the Russian economy for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, after the move came under heavy criticism from several of Kyiv’s European allies.After revelations in the Guardian of widespread condemnation, the IMF said it would spend more time gathering information for a “rigorous analysis”.Officials of the Washington-based organisation were due to travel to the Russian capital and meet “stakeholders” before publishing an assessment of the economy.The IMF said last week it was a “mutual obligation” to carry out an article IV annual review of a member country and the situation in Russia had become “more settled”.On Friday, nine European countries protested against the IMF’s plans, saying it would damage the reputation of the fund to resume dialogue with a country that had invaded another.

Aleksei Mozhin, the IMF’s executive director for Russia, told the Tass news agency on Wednesday that the decision was taken on Monday, the day preliminary talks were supposed to start.Critics said a first official visit since 2021 would be based on flawed data and provide Russia with a cloak of respectability.In a letter seen by the Financial Times and signed by Poland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and non-EU members Iceland and Norway, ministers said there was a “reputational risk” to the IMF, and indicated a visit would “diminish donors’ efforts and actions in supporting Ukraine through IMF initiatives”.The letter added that the visit “would be a sign for the international community that the IMF is ready to go back to business as usual, taking a step towards normalising relations with the aggressor”.Sign up to Business TodayGet set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morningafter newsletter promotionThe Financial Times reported that IMF boss.

Kristalina Georgieva.was involved in a heated discussion at the weekend about the planned trip during talks with EU finance ministers and central bankers in Budapest.An IMF spokesperson said: “Article IV consultations with Russia have been postponed while we gather all the necessary data and analysis for a rigorous consultation.”
A picture

Georgina Hayden’s recipe for charred corn, chorizo and avocado

While corn on the cob is an autumn staple in our house (my girls love finding new flavours to roll the cobs in), I also love charring it and tossing it through salads. If you have a barbecue going, you can, of course, char the cobs first, then cut off the kernels, but otherwise I find this method easier. As it stands, this recipe is a proper hit – the flavours and textures go together so well – and it’s really versatile, too: add thin wedges of little gems or quartered soft-boiled eggs, or sprinkle over feta or sliced green jalapeños. Have a play and make it your own.Prep 10 min Cook 25 min Serves 4, as a side4 corn on the cob, husks removedSea salt and freshly ground black pepper75g cooking chorizo 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped2 tbsp sherry vinegar 2 tsp honey1 bunch spring onions, trimmed and sliced20g bunch flat-leaf parsley (or coriander), roughly chopped2 avocados1 lime (optional)Carefully cut the kernels off the corn cobs and put them in a large, dry frying pan

September172024
A picture

Rukmini Iyer’s quick and easy hot smoked salmon frittatas with watercress and radishes – recipe | Quick and easy

These hot smoked salmon frittatas are as good for children as they are for lunchboxes the next day. Caraway seeds are a lovely touch, but optional if you don’t have them in or worry that a whole jar will go mostly unused (I always have them in, because the seeds work beautifully in cheddar biscuits or cheese straws, and a jar lasts me ages). You can use regular smoked salmon in these, but I prefer the texture of hot smoked salmon.Prep 10 min Cook 30 min Makes 12Oil, for greasing 6 medium eggs 1 tsp sea salt flakes 1 scant tsp caraway seeds (optional)150g ricotta 160g hot smoked salmon, flaked3 spring onions, finely slicedBlack pepperFor the salad15ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice15ml (1 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil ½ tsp sea salt flakes 80g watercress 200g radishes, finely slicedHeat the oven to 200C (180C fan)/390F/gas 6, and generously oil a 12-hole muffin tin (or, if you doubt your tin’s nonstick capabilities, fill the holes with paper muffin cases). Whisk the eggs with the salt, caraway seeds, if using, and 50g of the ricotta, then ladle the mixture equally between the muffin cases

September162024
A picture

‘We called her the vegetable whisperer’: Rachel Roddy on the cook who inspired her

Carla Tomasi, who died in Rome in late August aged 70, was a teacher to many, and also to me. We met by chance in 2012. I’d seen a tweet from a friend mentioning that she was collecting pickles from a certain Carla Tomasi near Ostia, on the outskirts of Rome. I thought I would like to know this Carla and her pickles, so I wrote her an email saying as much. I received a reply immediately, which included several questions and an invitation to lunch at her house

September162024
A picture

Scissor-cut, stir-fry and ‘a hug in a bowl’: six great noodle recipes

Scissor-cut noodles became a viral sensation a while ago. They’re simple and fun to make, great for vegans and an excellent dish for introducing kids to cooking. This recipe is incredibly affordable and versatile, and perfect for a variety of dietary preferences and ingredient adaptations. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get creative with leftovers.Serves 4plain flour 500g salt ½ tspwater 250ml vegetable oil 1 tbsp sesame oil a little For the sauceoil 3 tbsp garlic 6 cloves, minceddried red chilli flakes 1 tbsp red chilli powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp light soy sauce 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine 1 tbsp sugar 1 tsp black vinegar 1 tbsp MSG (monosodium glutamate) 1 tspcoriander chopped, to servepeanuts chopped, to serveTo make the dough, combine the plain flour and salt in a large bowl

September152024
A picture

Jeremy King: ‘The first time I was ever impressed by anyone was Meryl Streep’

The A-list’s favourite restaurateur on celebrity diners, what makes a good meal great – and why his solution to stress is transcendental meditationJeremy King knows more about the feel of rooms, perhaps, than any man in London. The co-creator (with Chris Corbin) and inspired reviver of restaurants that immediately became fabulous institutions – the Ivy, the Wolseley – King has honed a genius for hospitality over 45 years.He can tell, he believes, when there is a full moon, because the noise in the dining room is a little more skittish. And, he suggests, he can sense without looking, as soon as he walks through the door, if there is a properly famous person dining in that corner (there usually is), or if there is a high-stakes business lunch over there, or if “a couple who really shouldn’t be having lunch together, are having lunch together”.He has chosen to eat today at Maison François, a French brasserie just off Jermyn Street, and not far from his own recently opened restaurant, Arlington, on the site of his first love Le Caprice

September152024
A picture

Rahel Stephanie’s secret ingredient: pandan

Pandan, thought to originate from Indonesia’s Maluku Islands, is used across south-east Asia. It has a vanilla-esque aroma, notes of rose or coconut, and fresh leaves have that grassiness you get with matcha. You can get it fresh from south-east Asian grocers, and it freezes well.It’s a trending ingredient in desserts and drinks. But in Indonesian cuisine, and others, it’s used a lot in savouries

September152024