Eastern Europe / Features
Poland basks in the glory of being Europe’s chief ally of Kyiv
Poland leading the effort to get the tanks delivered to Ukraine may give the ruling PiS extra clout in an election year.
Russia forges ahead with gas ambitions in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
Moscow is driving forward its energy ambitions in Central Asia as it seeks new markets for gas that Europe now shuns.
Russia is preparing for spring mass mobilisation
The Russian government appears to be preparing for a second wave of mass mobilisation with a series of changes to the laws to increase the pool of eligible candidates for conscription by a third, pointing to a new mobilisation in the spring.
Davos climate change debates hindered by lack of Russian, Chinese delegates
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was held in person this year for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme of the meeting was “co-operation in a fragmented world," but Russia and China were a no show.
Ukraine spiralling towards default, according to Fitch
Ukraine is heading toward default according to the Fitch Ratings agency, Ukraine Business News reported on January 23.
Russians escaping Putin’s war face tough sanctuary in Mongolia
While some can afford to move on, there are thousands struggling to find workable employment prospects to put a roof over their head.
Russia’s Lavrov arrives in South Africa to continue Kremlin’s charm offensive
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in South Africa on a working visit as the Kremlin continues its charm offensive, TASS reported on January 23.
Sanctions against executives: a blow to good corporate governance in Russia
Sanctions against Russian companies and individuals have become a common tool for Western governments to exert pressure on the country's domestic and foreign policy. However, a new study finds sanctions are undermining Russia's corporate governance.
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Berlin Wall-like ending to Ukraine conflict likely if Germany refuses to send tanks
Germany’s refusal to send its powerful Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine will prolong the war in Ukraine and makes a Berlin Wall-type scenario to end the conflict more likely.
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Ukraine could be a "beacon about the power of capitalism", says Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock
Ukraine’s lengthy and expensive reconstruction process could be a beacon to the rest of the world about the “power of capitalism,” said Larry Fink, CEO of investment company BlackRock at the Ukrainian Breakfast discussion in Davos.
Less than 9% of foreign companies pull out of Russia
The vast majority of Western companies that promised to pull out of Russia after the start of the war in Ukraine are still there, according to a new study.
Running out of ammo
Ukraine could face a shortage of ammunition in the second half of this year unless the West invests in new production, as stocks are already running low and existing production can’t keep up with the rate of fire.
Gas, panic in 2023
Last year was a disaster for Europe as Putin’s energy war wreaked chaos on Europe’s economies by sending up gas prices 20-fold, fuelling run-away inflation and an energy crisis that drove millions into poverty. Another crisis could be coming.
Maldives sees a sharp drop in Russian tourism due to Ukraine war tensions
Russian tourist traffic to the Maldives has plummeted by 8.4% year on year to around 200,000 visits in 2022 thanks to soaring travel prices and anti-Russian sentiment generated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine.
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LONG READ: Putin has lost this winter gas battle, but another energy crisis is ahead
Russian President Vladimir Putin needed a very cold winter. He didn’t get it. As a result, Europe’s gas storage tanks are at record-high levels and the price of gas has crashed on the Dutch TTF exchange to below pre-war levels.
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.
The looming fight over nuclear power in Kyrgyzstan
Can safety protocols be maintained in a poor country like Kyrgyzstan, where corruption is rampant?
The West breaks heavy weapons taboo, but is it enough for Ukraine to win?
Kyiv is sending a strong message to the West; Ukraine needs offensive weapons if it's going to win this war.
Chinese car makers expected to rapidly expand in Russia in 2023
The exit of the international car makers from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine has left a huge hole in what is one of the biggest car markets in Europe. China’s leading brands are rapidly moving in to fill the void.
Mutual FDI in Eurasia has been dominated by Russia, but war and sanctions make the outlook uncertain
Mutual FDI stock in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries grew fast until Russia went into recession in 2012, when its GDP growth sank to zero. However, it soon started to recover, with Russia playing the leading role in the region.
