Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a U.S. hedge fund to purchase securities in Russian companies from 11 other funds, mostly based in the U.S. and U.K., according to a presidential decree published Monday(…)

In addition, two Russian companies, Tsefey-2 and Sovremennye Fondy Nedvizhimosty, are authorized to buy 683 Capital’s securities without needing Putin’s approval (…)

Separately, U.S. and Russian representatives have made preliminary contacts regarding collaboration with Russia’s state-controlled energy giant Gazprom, Bloomberg reported last week, citing anonymous sources. Putin mentioned the possibility of U.S.-Russian energy cooperation on Thursday.

( Moscow Times is based in the EU and is considered reliable)