WH CDNS
國際
俄羅斯總統蒲亭25日表示，俄羅斯準備好與烏克蘭進行談判，但烏克蘭及其西方支持者必須停止攻擊俄羅斯領土。蒲亭在與白俄羅斯總統盧卡申科會晤時說：「我們準備好談判，但條件是烏克蘭及其西方支持者停止攻擊我們的領土。」
蒲亭還表示，俄羅斯目前沒有計劃對烏克蘭發動新的攻勢。他補充說，俄羅斯將繼續保護其領土，並將對任何攻擊做出回應。
烏克蘭方面尚未對蒲亭的聲明作出回應。西方國家一直呼籲俄羅斯停止對烏克蘭的侵略，並與烏克蘭進行有意義的談判。
這項聲明是在俄羅斯對烏克蘭發動全面入侵兩年多後發布的。自那以來，這場衝突已造成數萬人死亡，並導致數百萬人流離失所。
蒲亭的聲明可能被視為緩和衝突態勢的信號，但許多觀察家對俄羅斯是否真的願意進行認真的談判表示懷疑。
Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates by 0.25 Percentage Points on march 22, 2023
Table of Contents
On March 22, 2023, the Federal Open Market committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System voted 9-1 too raise the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing the target range to 4.75% – 5.00%. This decision follows a similar increase on February 1, 2023, and represents the ninth rate hike as March 2022.
FOMC Voting record
- Votes in Favor (9): Jerome H. Powell (Chair), Lael Brainard (Vice Chair), Michael S. Barr, Michelle W. Bowman, Mary C. Daly, Philip N.jefferson, Lisa D. cook, Christopher J. Waller, and John C. Williams.
- Vote Against (1): Katharine L. Judge. Judge dissented, stating she preferred no change in the target range for the federal funds rate. (Source: Federal Reserve Board Press Release, March 22, 2023)
Inflation Data & Rationale
The decision was made amidst continued concerns about inflation. The Consumer price Index (CPI) for February 2023,released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on March 14,2023,showed a 6.0% increase over the past 12 months. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI report, March 14, 2023). The FOMC statement indicated a commitment to returning inflation to its 2% goal.
“The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks. Recent indicators point to modest growth of spending and production. Inflation remains elevated.” (Source: Federal Reserve Board Press Release, March 22, 2023)
Bank Failures & Response
The rate hike occurred shortly after the failures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) on March 10, 2023, and Signature Bank on March 12, 2023.The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took control of both institutions. (Source: FDIC Press Release, March 10, 2023 – SVB and FDIC Press Release, March 12, 2023 – Signature Bank).The FOMC statement acknowledged these events and indicated the banking system remains sound.
Future Outlook
The FOMC’s Summary of Economic Projections, released alongside the rate hike, indicated that the median projection for the federal funds rate at the end of 2023 is 5.1%, suggesting further rate increases are possible. The projected unemployment rate for the end of 2023 is 4.5%. (source: Federal Reserve,Summary of Economic Projections,March 22,2023)
