Belarus
Turkey bans airports from refuelling Boeings operated by Russian airlines
Ahead of elections, Erdogan administration appears to be caving to some Western sanctions enforcement demands, perhaps fearing action that could hurt the Turkish economy prior to polling day.
Iran to export 45,000 SAIPA vehicles to Belarus
Deal follows breakthrough agreement that will bring Iranian cars to the Russian market.
Tikhanovskaya sentenced in absentia to 15 years for trying to organise a coup d'état
A court in Belarus sentenced exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to 15 years in prison for leading protests against the country's authoritarian leader in August 2020.
Belarusian fertiliser company Grodno Azot accused of smuggling sanctioned nitrogen into Europe using a web of shell companies
Grodno Azot has found a way to evade European sanctions by using shell companies that smuggle sanctioned fertiliser exports into Europe via truck and rail, says Belarusian Investigative Centre.
Stable outlooks at lowest level for two decades in Emerging Europe, says Fitch Ratings
One year since the Ukraine conflict began, the share of stable sovereign outlooks in Emerging Europe is at its lowest since late 2003.
Leaked documents reveal Russia plans to merge with Belarus by 2030
Russia's plans to subsume Belarus and dismantle its independence by 2030, according to documents seen as part of an investigation by a group of US and European media outlets, including the Kyiv Independent.
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Russia’s slide towards dictatorship drags down global democracy index
Invasion of Ukraine "accompanied by all-out repression and censorship at home", says EIU, presenting latest Democracy Index.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has distorted global trade routes
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions have distorted trade routes across the Eurasian continent.
More gloom ahead as EBRD cuts 2023 growth forecasts
The EBRD lowered its forecasts for more than half its 36 countries of operation, anticipating average growth of just 2.1% this year.
IMF: Charting globalization’s turn to 'slowbalization' after world financial crisis
The free flow of ideas, people, goods, services, and capital across national borders leads to greater economic integration. But globalization, the trend toward these things moving ever more freely between nations, has slowed in recent years.
New pro-Lukashenko party set up as Belarus falls seven places in the Democracy Index to 153
A new pro-Lukashenko party was established in Belarus as the country fell a further seven places in the latest EIU Democracy index.
COMMENT: The new Cold War will be different, and not only because of China
Mercantilism is also replacing globalisation, and the US has a declining interest in European affairs.
Turkey accuses West of waging ‘psychological warfare’ to wreck its tourism industry
Interior minister angered by series of terrorism security alerts. Tensions also arise over US sanctions that could leave Russian aircraft with no ground service at Turkish airports.
RBI's 2022 profits soar to €3.6bn, with Russian operations representing more than half
The Austrian lender, which has become more and more reliant on its Russian business over the years, is still rethinking its presence in the country.
Belarus faces new sanctions by the EU and asset seizures by Ukraine
After statements made by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in early January, the EU’s new sanctions package against Belarus is starting to take form. The new package will make the existing sanctions hit even harder.
Belarus Corruption Watch: How one of Lukashenko’s 'wallets' evades sanctions
The Belarusian Investigative Centre (BIC) continues to unravel corruption and sanctions avoidance schemes by Belarusian businessmen. This time, they show how a Belarusian businessman continues to operate in Germany despite EU sanctions.
VISEGRAD BLOG: When Eastern European states speak out they are now listened to
The countries on Nato’s eastern flank believe they are now leading the debate on how to confront the Kremlin, as demonstrated by the row over supplying modern battle tanks to Ukraine.
Trial begins in Belarus against exiled opposition figures
On Tuesday, January 17, a Minsk court began a trial in absentia of leading Belarusian opposition figures. Political repression continues to increase in the country.
What does 2023 hold for Belarusian potash exports?
Belarus has managed to redirect some of its potash fertiliser exports to Russia and China. With its new export routes, Belarus has big plans for 2023, but high delivery costs and global competition is squeezing its profit margins and market shares.
NEMETHY: Key economic and financial drivers to watch in 2023
There is an old joke that the role of economic forecasters is to make astrologers look good. Forecasting GDP or inflation for the upcoming year with any degree of accuracy is virtually impossible, but there are some scary signs appearing.
