Week's main events (February 28 – March 4)

It will be a very volatile week due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Belarus also became an accomplice to the conflict, having provided its territory for the attack of the Russian army and launched cruise missiles from its territory at Ukrainian cities yesterday. The sanctions imposed against Russia are very serious, and the consequences of such sanctions for ordinary Russian citizens will be serious. If not take into account geopolitics, this week’s main events for investors will be the US Nonfarm Payrolls and Interest Rate Decisions from the Central Banks of Canada and Australia. The Bank of Canada will likely raise its interest rate, while the Reserve Bank of Australia will leave it unchanged. Investors should also keep an eye on the OPEC+ meeting. Given the high geopolitical risks, unexpected decisions are possible. Special attention should be paid to the speech of Fed chief Jerome Powell before the US Congress, as well as the speech of ECB chief Christine Lagarde. Given Russia’s attack on Ukraine, it is important to understand how the US and Europe Central Banks will adjust monetary policy.