Ukraine
COMMENT: Gulf states court Russia but stop short of strategic shift
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are increasingly backing Russia in its geopolitical and economic standoff with the West, but they have stopped short of fully embracing Russia.
New US oil sanctions, attack on Turkstream shake up global energy markets
The Biden administration imposed the harshest ever oil sanctions ever on Russia on January 10, which immediately roiled the international energy markets. Kyiv's attempt to destroy Russia's last gas pipeline to Europe unsettled markets further.
Russia’s war machine fed by free-flowing exports of Uzbek “guncotton” pulp, say reports
Shipments vital to nitrocellulose production used as explosive and propellant in shells, rockets and missiles.
Trump to hold talks with Putin in coming days, national security adviser reveals
US President-elect Donald Trump is planning a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days or weeks, according to Mike Waltz, Trump’s incoming national security adviser.
MACRO ADVISORY: Sanctions SITREP — only seven more sleeps
We are going to bed seven more times until the second Trump era begins. What's on the agenda?
"Danish model" funded 500% increase in Ukraine's domestic arms production in 2024
With US supplies of weapons expected to fall in 2005 and European stockpiles running low, Kyiv’s arms supplies are shifting from international purchases to boosting domestic production.
US imposes toughest oil sanctions ever on Russia to improve Ukraine and Trump’s leverage in mooted ceasefire talks
The Biden administration has unveiled its most extensive sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas business yet in a bid to give Ukraine and the incoming Trump admiration more leverage in widely expected ceasefire talks that may start soon.
Slovakia’s Fico steps up anti-Ukraine rhetoric over gas cut-off
Slovak premier threatens to veto Ukraine votes at EU level.
EBRD delivers 26% expansion in investments in 2024, commits record €16.6bn across economies
Lender notes strong momentum in green and gender financing, in parallel with steadfast support for Ukraine and its real economy.
Inspired by Trump, Bulgarian far-right leader wants to annex North Macedonia and parts of Ukraine
Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov says North Macedonia and the Ukrainian part of Southern Bessarabia should be added to Bulgaria.
Putin seizes Russia beer market JV of Brussels-listed AB InBev and Istanbul-listed Efes
Kremlin rejects Belgian and Turkish partners’ plan to in face of sanctions swap Russia and Ukraine stakes.
BALKAN BLOG: Giving free energy to Transnistria could thwart Russia’s plans for Moldova
Energy crisis threatens to undermine confidence in the pro-EU government in Chisinau, paving the way for a Kremlin-backed party to take power after the 2025 general election.
Trust in Zelenskiy drops to half, says poll
Trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has declined to half (52%), down seven percentage points from October 2024 and 12 points since February, according to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
Ukraine’s inflation climbs to 11.2% y/y in November
Inflation in Ukraine climbed to 11.2% year on year in November 2024, surpassing the National Bank of Ukraine’s (NBU) earlier forecasts, according to the latest inflation report.
Ukraine's international reserves soared to new all-time high of $43.78bn in 2024
New historical record: Ukraine's international reserves have exceeded $43.78bn. As reported by the National Bank, as of January 1, 2025, Ukraine's international reserves reached over $43.787bn, increasing by 9.7% during December.
OUTLOOK: Ukraine 2025
What is in store for Ukraine in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Ukraine 2025
Hundreds from Ukraine’s elite foreign-trained brigade go AWOL as desertions mount
One of Ukraine’s flagship military units, the 155th Mechanised Brigade, trained in France and equipped with some of the best Western weaponry, has lost over 1,700 soldiers, who have abandoned their posts and gone AWOL, without firing a single shot.
Absent Slovak premier traced to luxury hotel in Vietnam
Journalists question how Robert Fico can afford hotel suite where the cost of two nights equals his entire monthly salary.
The war went badly for Ukraine in 2024
Ukraine lost more territory to the advancing Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) in the second half of 2024 than at any time since the initial invasion in 2024.
CENUSA: Polish EU Presidency puts Russian hybrid threats in the spotlight
After six months under a Russian-aligned Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, the leadership has now passed to Poland, a strong critic of Russia’s disruptive influence in Europe.