News
Lukashenko meets Putin as Minsk tightens the screws
Sanctions are hitting the Belarusian economy hard and Minsk is further tightening the screws around public speech and private commercial interests.
Former German Chancellor Schroeder meets with Putin in Moscow to call for peace in Ukraine
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder flew to Moscow to meet with his close personal friend Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attempt to mediate in the war in Ukraine on March 10.
Turkmenistan prepares for handing of power to Berdimuhamedov’s son
Weekend election a formality that will be neither free nor fair.
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Ukraine, Russia talks in Turkey deliver little but diatribe against West from Lavrov
Describes response to Mariupol hospital bombing as “pathetic outcries”, claiming building was taken over by radicals.
Protests over fuel price hike spread across Albania
Protests took place across Albania and demonstrators blocked roads, demanding that the government take action to bring down fuel prices.
Western Balkan countries warn of looming cooking oil shortages
Kosovo only has enough cooking oil for one month, while North Macedonia has banned sunflower oil exports after sudden hike in demand.
Interfax source says Russia could ban grain exports to EEU
Russia may ban the export of grains to some of its neighbours in efforts to control food prices until summer.
Goldman Sachs becomes first Wall Street bank to leave Russia
Goldman Sachs will wind down its operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
Ozon plans to re-structure $750m of bonds amid suspensions storm
As western markets suspend Russian stocks and bonds, e-commerce major Ozon has announced plans to re-structure its American Depositary Share (ADS) offering.
North Macedonia adopts €400mn package to ease economic crisis caused by Russian-Ukrainian conflict
With food and fuel prices soaring, Europe is facing the biggest economic crisis in recent memory, says Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski.
Protesters gather in Tirana as inflation hits 10-year high
PM Edi Rama warned earlier this week that the threat of a deepening energy crisis is growing daily as Russia and Nato members mull stricter sanctions on each other.
More than 600 Czech soldiers to be sent to Slovakia to strengthen Nato´s Eastern Flank
The creation of the Czech-led battle group in Slovakia is part of Nato´s efforts to strengthen its Eastern Flank.
Iran, US can do nuclear deal without Moscow says Crisis Group director
Western powers concerned Russia holding JCPOA talks to ransom in effort to curb some effects of Ukraine invasion sanctions.
Iron, coal, nickel, PGMs, wheat in focus as markets brace for Russia/Ukraine disruptions
A wide range of commodity prices are set to surge further amid supply disruptions as a result of Russian counter-sanctions on the West.
US bans imports of Russian oil and gas
US President Joe Biden announced on March 8 that his country was banning imports of Russian oil and gas, as well as coal.
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EU vows to cut Russian gas supply by two thirds within a year
The European Commission has unveiled plans to cut EU gas imports from Russia by 100bn cubic metres within one year. Russia is the bloc's single largest supplier of the fuel, meeting around 40% of its demand.
US rejects Poland’s proposal to send its MiG-29 jets to Ukraine
US fears that direct supply of major-grade weaponry could escalate the conflict and engulf the alliance in a war with Russia.
Poland hikes interest rate 75bp to 3.5% as war in Ukraine likely to extend tightening cycle
Policymakers react to plunge in zloty and rise in energy prices.
Russia strikes back with counter sanctions in an escalating economic war, banning commodity exports for the rest of 2022
Only hours after the US announced a ban on oil imports from Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin struck back with counter-sanctions that will ban the export of Russian commodities until the end of 2022 on March 8.
Pre-election spending splurge propels Hungary’s budget gap in February to 45% of full-year target
Analysts point out that after the election the government will have to make painful fiscal adjustments.
