Russia
US Secretary of State Blinken says Ukraine free to use US-made weapons to strike Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukraine has to “make its own choice” when deciding to use US-made weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
EBRD 2024: Banks still scrambling to keep up with Russia sanctions
Multiple packages of sanctions have been imposed on Russia since the invasion Ukraine, their scale and scope dwarfing those placed on other nations.
EBRD 2024: Geopolitics forces dramatic shifts in Emerging Europe trade patterns
EBRd report finds sanctions and trade disruptions have led to transformations in trade patterns across the Emerging Europe and Central Asia region.
CAUCASUS BLOG: Where next for Georgia – revolution or elections?
What happens now after the controversial Russian-inspired “foreign agents” law was passed by the government on May 14?
US Secretary of State Blinken assures continued support for Ukraine in surprise visit amidst Russian offensive
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on May 14, reaffirming America's commitment to Ukraine amidst Russia's intensified offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
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Russia ups budget revenues 50% in 4M24, deficit widens
The Russian federal budget posted revenue growth of 50% year on year to RUB11.7 trillion ($128bn) in 4M24, achieving revenue growth rate of 41% y/y in April 2024 alone, according to the preliminary data from the Finance Ministry.
Russia prepares a crackdown on crypto
Russia is preparing a crackdown on cryptocurrencies in a bid to establish control over the segment that so far has been operating largely under the radar.
ASH: Ukraine - running through the numbers
Lots of figures are thrown around about the cost of supporting Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion. I have myself used a $100 billion a year price tag for keeping Ukraine in the war, and likely a $50 billion a year post-war.
Russia's nuclear diplomacy binding emerging markets to the Kremlin
Currently, Rosatom controls approximately 70% of the world export market for the construction of nuclear power plants where emerging powers in the global south are trying to boost their energy production and turning to Moscow for nuclear power.
Transit fee rivals Russia, Kazakhstan “happy” China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway not progressing
Beijing appears deterred by cost and geopolitical considerations, but if realised “CKU” would open up shortest China-Europe rail route.
Cabinet reshuffle sees Shoigu out of Russian Defence Ministry, Belousov in
Russian President Vladimir Putin fired his long-standing friend Sergei Shoigu as head of the Defence Minister and replaced him with economist Andrei Belousov as part of a government reshuffle following his inauguration last week.
Demographics and equality main national goals in Putin's latest May's Decree
Russian President Vladimir Putin has updated the 12 National Projects that were launched in 2019 to transform Russia and improve the quality of life. The programme was upgraded last year to National Projects 2.0 and now have been expanded again.
Ukraine’s strategy of hitting Russian oil refineries is working
Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries are doing what oil sanctions failed to do: reducing the Kremlin’s income from oil production, limiting its supply of fuel for the army and pushing up domestic prices, without driving up oil prices.
EU turning a blind eye to Russian LNG flowing through its terminals
Europe has been turning a blind eye to a fifth of Russia’s LNG output that is flowing through EU ports, either to be consumed by member states or sent on to customers around the world, in what is a lucrative trade for the Kremlin.
Putin accuses ‘arrogant’ West of risking global war at 2024 Victory Day celebrations
The West is risking inciting a global conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed during his speech on Red Square at Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations.
Dollar remains dominant in global trade, but global tensions are fragmenting the world, says IMF
The global economic landscape is undergoing a transformation not seen since the end of the Cold War. Soaring geopolitical tensions have seen the world fragment into large trading blocs based on economic and national security concerns.
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Turkey signs LNG deal with US supermajor ExxonMobil placing question mark over Russian gas supplies
Ankara has ambition to make country an energy supply powerhouse based on re-exports.
Russia hits Ukrainian power facilities in six regions with intense missile attack, imports from EU won't cover winter demand
Russian forces launched an intense missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in six regions on May 8. Half of Ukraine’s power facilities are now out of action to the point where European imports won't cover this winter's demand.
RBI caves into pressure to give up Strabag deal
US authorities had raised the threat of sanctions, leading the Austrian central bank to warn RBI against the deal.
Relokanty: Is Russia’s loss Central Asia’s gain?
Maximising the benefits of Russia’s surprising exodus.