Latest Updates

Putin signs off annexation of four Ukrainian regions

President Vladimir Putin has annexed the largest piece of territory in Europe since those taken by Adolf Hitler.

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East and West clash in Bulgaria’s snap general election

Old alliances have broken down, with Russian vs Western orientation becoming the biggest dividing line in Bulgarian politics.

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Old faces set to keep ruling Bosnia post-election

The main nationalist parties are expected to retain their leading positions in Sunday’s elections, with hopes for reforms fading away once again.

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Georgia’s border clogged with thousands of Russians fleeing the Kremlin’s mobilisation

After Vladimir Putin escalated the war in Ukraine with a mobilisation order, thousands of Russians are trying to enter Georgia to avoid being drafted and sent to the front lines in the war in Ukraine.

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Meloni won the elections, but her programme won’t make Italy the next Hungary

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the right-wing nationalist party, “Fratelli d’Italia” (FDI, “Brothers of Italy”), won a convincing victory in the general elections, but raised fears that the country will move closer to Moscow as a result.

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More pain stored up for Emerging Europe in 2023

Government efforts to shield populations from the energy crisis and rampant inflation have shifted the economic impact to next year, says the EBRD as it downgrades GDP growth forecasts for 2023.

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Germany says three out of four Nord Stream pipelines damaged beyond repair

The disabling of Nord Stream has spooked markets as it removes the possibility of resuming deliveries of gas in the depth of winter if an energy crisis becomes acute.

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PANNIER: In Turkmenistan, new president maintains course into the abyss

Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the head of state who rarely smiles, has also given his country little reason to do so.

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Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins set to benefit from hardline stance on Ukraine war

Baltic state's election campaign has been dominated by the cost of living crisis and Russia's invasion.

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Hungary's 4iG signs new deal to acquire Israel's Spacecom

Slovak ministers criticise Czech border controls

bneGREEN: Fit for 55 – not fit for purpose

Hungary's 4iG signs new deal to acquire Israel's Spacecom

4iG allowed to acquire a 20% stake in satellite company as a "first step" and three years later take majority control if Israeli communications ministry approves.

Slovak ministers criticise Czech border controls

Czechia and Austria introduce checks on borders with Slovakia to stop increasing numbers of migrants crossing towards Germany.

bneGREEN: Fit for 55 – not fit for purpose

The EU’s Fitfor55 efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 are woefully inadequate and unable to contain global warming to the 1.5°C target, with reductions of up to 77% needed instead to stand any chance of averting a climate catastrophe.

News

Kremlin preparing for a protracted conflict by putting Russian economy onto a war footing

Details from the draft 2023-2025 budget show that spending on the Russian army this year will rise by half to RUB5 trillion.

Hungary’s forint slides to new low after central bank ends tightening cycle

The Hungarian currency has become the third worst-performing EM currency in 2022 after the Argentine peso and the Turkish lira.

Might Trussonomics be a branch of Erdoganomics?

Turkish expat who fled collapse of lira to London alarmed by Liz Truss’ self-inflicted blow to UK economy.

Report says Russian gas supplies to Europe via TurkStream now endangered

Gazprom unit that operates pipeline said to be withdrawing all technical support.

EU prepares eighth sanction package against Russia, including oil price cap but no ban on diamond trading

The draft measures will be considered by the 27 member countries, where they need unanimous approval.

Kremlin preparing for a protracted conflict by putting Russian economy onto a war footing

19 hours ago

Hungary’s forint slides to new low after central bank ends tightening cycle

22 hours ago

Might Trussonomics be a branch of Erdoganomics?

1 day ago

Report says Russian gas supplies to Europe via TurkStream now endangered

1 day ago

EU prepares eighth sanction package against Russia, including oil price cap but no ban on diamond trading

1 day ago

More News

Tech

Albania signs $6mn satellite deal to fight drugs and crime

Tirana agrees with US-based Satellogic USA Inc. to develop a dedicated satellite constellation that will enable satellite monitoring of the country’s territory.

Regime’s response to Iran protests strands digital economy in social media ‘desert’

Cutting off Instagram has put around 400,000 businesses “at risk of annihilation”, says analyst.

French Alten takes over Romanian tech firm Qualitance

Deal will help Alten strengthen its presence in Romania and the broader Central and Eastern Europe region.

US venture firm launches new fund with exclusive Ukrainian focus

Earlier this month ffVC, an international VC firm comprised of several funds in the US and Europe, announced the launch of a new fund exclusively dedicated to Ukrainian founders and startups.

Top Russian e-scooter service aims to raise $167mn on Moscow Exchange

Russian kick-sharing service Whoosh intends to go public on the Moscow Exchange this or next year.

Albania signs $6mn satellite deal to fight drugs and crime

22 hours ago

Regime’s response to Iran protests strands digital economy in social media ‘desert’

1 day ago

French Alten takes over Romanian tech firm Qualitance

1 day ago

US venture firm launches new fund with exclusive Ukrainian focus

5 days ago

Top Russian e-scooter service aims to raise $167mn on Moscow Exchange

5 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Russian men fleeing the draft are caught between suspected of being pro-Putin and Western closed-door policies

The partial mobilisation announced on September 21 by Russian leader Vladimir Putin has caused an unprecedented exodus of the Russian male population eligible for the draft. But do they support him and can they cross into the EU?

Sanctioned Russian diamonds are reaching the US consumer, but some are getting there legally – for now

Russian state-controlled diamond monopoly Alrosa has been sanctioned but some of its diamonds are making it on to the international market legally. The upcoming eighth package of sanctions will crack down on Russia’s diamond and close loopholes.

EBRD: Reduced gas supplies and inflation to slow growth further in EBRD regions

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) projects growth in its region will slow as a result of gas supply problems that are feeding an energy crisis. The bank says growth will slow to 2.3% in 2022 in its region and 3% in 2023.

ING: Eurozone PMI suggests the region may already be in recession

The third decline in a row for the eurozone PMI indicates that business activity has been contracting throughout the quarter. This confirms our view that a recession could have already started.

ING: Energy price caps are appealing, but are not without risks

On 14 September 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced in her State of the Union speech a set of proposals to mitigate the impact of high energy prices.

Russian men fleeing the draft are caught between suspected of being pro-Putin and Western closed-door policies

1 day ago

Sanctioned Russian diamonds are reaching the US consumer, but some are getting there legally – for now

2 days ago

EBRD: Reduced gas supplies and inflation to slow growth further in EBRD regions

2 days ago

ING: Eurozone PMI suggests the region may already be in recession

4 days ago

ING: Energy price caps are appealing, but are not without risks

9 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Russia’s industrial output decline slows to only 0.1% in August

Russia’s contraction in industry slowed in August after industrial production posted a mere 0.1% contraction y/y in August, RosStat reported on September 29.

Poll shows Putin's popularity took hit in September but remained as high as 77%

Since the war in Ukraine started Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has shot up and has remained consistently between 82-83%, according to the independent pollster the Levada Centre.

Russia on track to have a record-smashing grain harvest

Russia is on track to smash all previous records with the size of this year’s grain harvest. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the bumper harvest could be as big as 150mn tonnes this year on September 27.

Bosnia posts annual CPI inflation of 16.8% y/y in August

Consumer prices in the country increased the most for food and transport.

IMF sees Romania’s economy growing by 4.8% in 2022, analysts are even more bullish

Romania’s GDP is expected to grow by 4.8% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023, “supported mainly by momentum in domestic demand”, the IMF said.

Russia’s industrial output decline slows to only 0.1% in August

23 hours ago

Poll shows Putin's popularity took hit in September but remained as high as 77%

1 day ago

Russia on track to have a record-smashing grain harvest

2 days ago

Bosnia posts annual CPI inflation of 16.8% y/y in August

3 days ago

IMF sees Romania’s economy growing by 4.8% in 2022, analysts are even more bullish

3 days ago

More Data

Features

Belarus’ turn to China

Last week, Belarus began its accenssion to the Shangai Cooperation Organization and the two countries both signed a deepened strategic partnership. But what does Belarus have to gain from increased integration with China?

Belarus Corruption Watch: How sanctioned Belarusian oligarch Mikalai Varabei’s family has managed to keep its real estate holdings in the EU

Despite having come under EU sanctions in late 2020 for being the “oil money man” of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, Mikalai Varabei and his family have somehow managed to preserve some of their riches in the EU.

Russian oil exports still booming and the EU is still a major buyer

One of the side-effects of the EU stepping up imports of US oil is that it has increased European demand for Russian diesel.

Kazakhstan shows generous side amid Russian stampede, but tensions are rising

Pressure to accommodate draft dodgers makes it difficult for a country that nationalists in Russia have targeted with veiled threats over claims to northern territories.

BRUEGEL: National policies to shield consumers from rising energy prices

The current increase in wholesale energy prices in Europe has prompted governments to try to shield consumers from the direct impact of an energy crisis that is sweeping the Continent and the rising prices that are costing hundreds of billions.

Belarus’ turn to China

23 hours ago

Belarus Corruption Watch: How sanctioned Belarusian oligarch Mikalai Varabei’s family has managed to keep its real estate holdings in the EU

1 day ago

Russian oil exports still booming and the EU is still a major buyer

2 days ago

Kazakhstan shows generous side amid Russian stampede, but tensions are rising

3 days ago

BRUEGEL: National policies to shield consumers from rising energy prices

4 days ago

More Features

Blogs

MOSCOW BLOG: Whodunnit?

Social media loves a good conspiracy theory, but it has gone off the Richter scale speculating on who was behind the take-down of the four Nord Stream gas pipelines, two of which sprang leaks on Sunday night as we reported yesterday morning.

Turkmenistan: Piping up

Turkmenistan has traditionally fostered its closest security relationship with Russia. But it has found room to develop military ties with the US and China. Eurasianet’s weekly briefing.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkish officials attempt to slake thirst for FX with visit to MbS

Turkey’s Erdogan administration again spooked by the lurching lira. Small matter of Jamal Khashoggi appears to be ancient history.

VISEGRAD BLOG: Orban prepares to surf the populist wave again

But the Hungarian strongman may struggle both to exploit the cost of living crisis and to unite Europe's resurgent radical right, particularly if the Russian-Ukraine war grinds on.

ISTANBUL BLOG: To those jimmying the lid of Turkey’s stock market, hold your nose

Banking stocks rose to wacky heights, then collapsed. Fed governor Jerome Powell got the blame. Only an oaf would buy that story.

MOSCOW BLOG: Whodunnit?

2 days ago

Turkmenistan: Piping up

3 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkish officials attempt to slake thirst for FX with visit to MbS

4 days ago

VISEGRAD BLOG: Orban prepares to surf the populist wave again

5 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: To those jimmying the lid of Turkey’s stock market, hold your nose

8 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

bneGREEN: Slovenia’s Sigma Energy deploys device to convert sea waves into electricity

Sigma Energy's full-scale Sigma WEC prototype deployed off Montenegro's Bar in the Adriatic Sea.

bneGreen: Southeast Europe’s first eco-mosque opens in Croatia

As the climate crisis worsens, there is growing interest in building more eco-friendly places of worship.

bneGREEN: Europe pays what it takes to bring in LNG but still cannot get enough

European energy ministers will discuss further options to secure gas supplies and punish Russia.

bneGREEN: Baltic states – except Russia – agree to aim for seven-fold increase in offshore wind

The heads of governments and energy ministers of the eight countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, apart from Russia, have committed to new volumes of offshore wind.

bneGreen: Heavy rain and flooding linked to climate change cause chaos in Skopje

The warmer climate in North Macedonia's capital mean torrential rain and flooding are now more frequent.

bneGREEN: Slovenia’s Sigma Energy deploys device to convert sea waves into electricity

12 days ago

bneGreen: Southeast Europe’s first eco-mosque opens in Croatia

19 days ago

bneGREEN: Europe pays what it takes to bring in LNG but still cannot get enough

21 days ago

bneGREEN: Baltic states – except Russia – agree to aim for seven-fold increase in offshore wind

30 days ago

bneGreen: Heavy rain and flooding linked to climate change cause chaos in Skopje

30 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Details from the draft 2023-2025 budget show that spending on the Russian army this year will rise by half to RUB5 trillion.

The Hungarian currency has become the third worst-performing EM currency in 2022 after the Argentine peso and the Turkish lira.

Turkish expat who fled collapse of lira to London alarmed by Liz Truss’ self-inflicted blow to UK economy.

Gazprom unit that operates pipeline said to be withdrawing all technical support.

The draft measures will be considered by the 27 member countries, where they need unanimous approval.

Tech

Tirana agrees with US-based Satellogic USA Inc. to develop a dedicated satellite constellation that will enable satellite monitoring of the country’s territory.

Cutting off Instagram has put around 400,000 businesses “at risk of annihilation”, says analyst.

Deal will help Alten strengthen its presence in Romania and the broader Central and Eastern Europe region.

Earlier this month ffVC, an international VC firm comprised of several funds in the US and Europe, announced the launch of a new fund exclusively dedicated to Ukrainian founders and startups.

Russian kick-sharing service Whoosh intends to go public on the Moscow Exchange this or next year.

Opinion

The partial mobilisation announced on September 21 by Russian leader Vladimir Putin has caused an unprecedented exodus of the Russian male population eligible for the draft. But do they support him and can they cross into the EU?

Russian state-controlled diamond monopoly Alrosa has been sanctioned but some of its diamonds are making it on to the international market legally. The upcoming eighth package of sanctions will crack down on Russia’s diamond and close loopholes.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) projects growth in its region will slow as a result of gas supply problems that are feeding an energy crisis. The bank says growth will slow to 2.3% in 2022 in its region and 3% in 2023.

The third decline in a row for the eurozone PMI indicates that business activity has been contracting throughout the quarter. This confirms our view that a recession could have already started.

On 14 September 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced in her State of the Union speech a set of proposals to mitigate the impact of high energy prices.

Data

Russia’s contraction in industry slowed in August after industrial production posted a mere 0.1% contraction y/y in August, RosStat reported on September 29.

Since the war in Ukraine started Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has shot up and has remained consistently between 82-83%, according to the independent pollster the Levada Centre.

Russia is on track to smash all previous records with the size of this year’s grain harvest. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the bumper harvest could be as big as 150mn tonnes this year on September 27.

Consumer prices in the country increased the most for food and transport.

Romania’s GDP is expected to grow by 4.8% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023, “supported mainly by momentum in domestic demand”, the IMF said.

Features

Last week, Belarus began its accenssion to the Shangai Cooperation Organization and the two countries both signed a deepened strategic partnership. But what does Belarus have to gain from increased integration with China?

Despite having come under EU sanctions in late 2020 for being the “oil money man” of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, Mikalai Varabei and his family have somehow managed to preserve some of their riches in the EU.

One of the side-effects of the EU stepping up imports of US oil is that it has increased European demand for Russian diesel.

Pressure to accommodate draft dodgers makes it difficult for a country that nationalists in Russia have targeted with veiled threats over claims to northern territories.

The current increase in wholesale energy prices in Europe has prompted governments to try to shield consumers from the direct impact of an energy crisis that is sweeping the Continent and the rising prices that are costing hundreds of billions.

Blogs

Social media loves a good conspiracy theory, but it has gone off the Richter scale speculating on who was behind the take-down of the four Nord Stream gas pipelines, two of which sprang leaks on Sunday night as we reported yesterday morning.

Turkmenistan has traditionally fostered its closest security relationship with Russia. But it has found room to develop military ties with the US and China. Eurasianet’s weekly briefing.

Turkey’s Erdogan administration again spooked by the lurching lira. Small matter of Jamal Khashoggi appears to be ancient history.

But the Hungarian strongman may struggle both to exploit the cost of living crisis and to unite Europe's resurgent radical right, particularly if the Russian-Ukraine war grinds on.

Banking stocks rose to wacky heights, then collapsed. Fed governor Jerome Powell got the blame. Only an oaf would buy that story.

bneGREEN

Sigma Energy's full-scale Sigma WEC prototype deployed off Montenegro's Bar in the Adriatic Sea.

As the climate crisis worsens, there is growing interest in building more eco-friendly places of worship.

European energy ministers will discuss further options to secure gas supplies and punish Russia.

The heads of governments and energy ministers of the eight countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, apart from Russia, have committed to new volumes of offshore wind.

The warmer climate in North Macedonia's capital mean torrential rain and flooding are now more frequent.

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