News

Putin’s biggest fans in Southeast Europe hail election victory

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

Only the few remaining allies of the Russian president such as Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and Moldovan ex-president Igor Dodon welcomed Putin's victory.

Putin wins big in Central Asia, but Kazakhstan spoils party

Almaz Kumenov for Eurasianet March 18, 2024

There was a large turnout for a public assembly in Almaty held to register opposition to Putin's rule.

Europe has €56bn shortfall to meet Nato 2% of GDP spending pledge

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

European nations within Nato are facing a €56bn shortfall in meeting the alliance's defence spending pledge of 2% of GDP this year, the Financial Times reported on March 16.

EU finally boosts defence investment into arms production as Ukraine runs out of ammo

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

European Nato countries are ramping up their defence investments, with plans to collectively spend almost $500bn this year.

Iran inks big deals to develop six oil fields

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

Iran has signed what it calls the biggest deals in a decade to develop six oil fields in the south and the west, a week after entering into $20bn contracts to boost pressure in the colossal South Pars gas field.

Polish fashion giant LPP’s stock price collapses after sale of Russian business reported as faked

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw March 18, 2024

LPP fiercely denied the report, which knocked its stock price nearly 36% in one day.

Poland revives ties with Berlin and Paris in push to help Ukraine

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw. March 18, 2024

The underlying premise of the summit was to acknowledge that stopping Russia in Ukraine now will come at a much smaller cost than having to stop it later at the EU's gates.

Bulgaria heading towards new snap election as talks on government rotation fail

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia March 18, 2024

Gerb's Mariya Gabriel has given CC-DB until noon to agree to the party's terms to form a new government, or Bulgaria will hold its sixth snap general election

Former Fidesz insider draws tens of thousands for protest against Orban regime

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 18, 2024

Magyar drew an estimated 30-40,000 people, compared to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 20,000 on day of commemoration of 1848 revolution.

Putin declares victory in “obviously not free nor fair” presidential election

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a sweeping victory in the country's presidential election, after apparently winning 87% of the vote.

Putin says he agreed Navalny prisoner swap

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

Speaking in Moscow on March 17 following the release of presidential election exit polls, Putin broke his silence on Navalny’s death. The president asserted that he had consented to a prisoner exchange involving Navalny just days before he died.

Croatian President Milanovic declares his candidacy for PM

bne IntelliNews March 17, 2024

Milanovic aims to retake the more influential prime minister position in Croatia's April general election.

Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners nearing billion-dollar Balkan real estate deals

bne IntelliNews March 17, 2024

Reports have given rise to speculation that Kushner’s plans could have been facilitated by relationships established during his father-in-law Donald Trump's time in the White House.

Russians go to the polls, but would-be protesters have few options against Putin's election juggernaut

Ben Aris in Berlin March 17, 2024

A few brave Russian attempted to protest against the stage manage presidential elections on March 15-17. A video posted on social media showed a woman in Moscow's Otradnoye district pouring a bottle of the green antiseptic zelenka into a ballot box.

Polls open in Russia as Putin seeks fifth term in office

bne IntelliNews March 15, 2024

No genuine opposition figure has been allowed to appear on the ballot

‘Russian warship, go f–k yourself’: EU rejects Ukrainian trademark application

bne IntelliNews March 15, 2024

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has once again rejected a request by Ukraine’s State Border Guard to register the slogan "Russian warship, go f**k yourself” as a trademark.

Hungarian government may reconsider amendments to Central Bank Act

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 15, 2024

Government may be preparing to retreat due to reactions in the financial markets to perceived threat to central bank independence.

Russia’s Medvedev presents ‘peace plan’ including ‘complete surrender’ of Ukraine

bne IntelliNews March 15, 2024

Writing on Telegram, President Vladimir Putin's close ally published what he called a “soft Russian formula for peace,” comprised of seven points that would see Ukraine pay compensation to Moscow and give up its entire territory.

Kyrgyzstan votes through Russian-style “foreign agents” law in seven minutes flat

bne IntelliNews March 15, 2024

With no debate, MPs pass legislation said to ape Putin law used to crush civil society. Washington has warned “U.S. implementing partners” may withdraw from country.

Disappearances raise fears over Turkey and Central Asia regimes stepping up collaboration in transnational repression

bne IntelliNews March 14, 2024

Two Tajik dissident activists vanish without a trace. Rights defenders point to frightening frequency of state kidnappings.

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