Eastern Europe / Features
Weak ties: Why trade between Iran and Russia is falling
In spite of repeated memoranda signed between Iran and Russia in recent years, trade had dramatically declined by the end of 2023, according to new data released by the Russian Federation.
THE BELL: Russians have never lived as well as they do today
Russian President Vladimir Putin would have probably won the elections even if they had been free and fair, as Russians have never lived as well as they do today. The economy would have powered Putin to victory.
An epic insurance brawl over Russia’s seizure of planes is going nowhere
An epic brawl in the aviation insurance business is going nowhere as Western firms try to recover something from the Russian government, which seized billions of dollars’ worth of leased planes impounded by Russia.
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One year on: Russia’s budget deficit already at end of year forecast level
This time last year and a cheer went up from amongst Ukraine’s supporters. The twin oil sanctions were moving into place and it looked like they were going to work as Russia’s oil revenue collapsed and the budget deficit blew out.
BOFIT: Russian growth fades, but budget spending up sharply. Has the military Keynesianism maxed out?
Based on the monthly estimate released by Russia’s ministry for economic development, on-year GDP growth has slowed in recent months, while budget spending is up sharply.
India to headline the rapid catch up of global emerging markets by 2050 – Capital Economics
Emerging markets will overtake the Western world in terms of the collective nominal size of their economies by 2050, with China and India as the second and third largest behind the US, according to Capital Economics’ long-term forecasts.
Ukraine becomes world's 4th largest arms importer, European imports soar
European arms imports were up by 94% in 2019-23, as Ukraine's allies send military aid while also arming themselves, says new SIPRI report.
Closing gender gap in workforce could double global growth rate says World Bank
Countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia have a lower gender gap than the global average but only Latvian women have equal legal standing with men.
NEO: EU ban on Russian aluminium may cause shortages, price surge
The EU has been discussing the possible ban of Russian aluminium for months but stopped short of taking such measures, If EU policymakers follow through on the suggestion in the next round of sanctions it could cause chaos on the metal markets.
Making drones in the kitchen: Ukrainian civilians rise to meet military shortages
With Western support for Ukraine’s war effort suffering as a result of the United States’ failure to agree on a new aid package, ordinary Ukrainian citizens are stepping up to the plate.
War and sanctions have forced Russia to make long overdue reforms
The pressure of the war in Ukraine has forced the Kremlin to push through a raft of long overdue reforms as its struggles to raise more revenues for the budget, increase the efficiency of the economy and keep the people happy.
Mongolia urged to “open door” to Russian Mongols who want return to ancestral roots
Campaigners want compatriots law that would apply to peoples of Russia’s Buddhist republics and minorities with Mongolic origins the world over.
LONG READ: China and Russia, the industrial production superpowers that could win a war
China is now "the world’s sole manufacturing superpower" and Russia’s productive capability is greater than that of Germany’s, according to recent studies on the changes to the world’s manufacturing make-up.
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In Ukraine’s Donbas, complex questions of identity and loyalty
An unrepentantly Russian Orthodox colony now finds itself accused of wavering loyalties by Ukraine’s political leadership.
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Lack of shipping capacity thwarts Russian LNG ambitions
Western sanctions are thwarting Russia’s planned expansion in the global LNG market.
US hit Russian banks with most effective sanctions yet
The US has unleashed two rounds of sanctions on Russia’s banks that are proving to be some of the most effective measures to curb Russia’s ability to do business yet.
KREMLIN LEAKS: how the Kremlin plans to fix the presidential elections
Leaked documents from the Kremlin have revealed details of President Vladimir Putin's meticulous plans for securing his re-election in March, VS Square reported on February 26.
Time to face some harsh realities about the war in Ukraine
The shock of Russia’s surprise invasion of Ukraine on February 24 two years ago was quickly followed by awe at the heroic defence of Kyiv, then delight as Ukrainians fought back, popping the tops of tanks and running circles around the Russians.
Soaring bank deposits in Russia’s poorest regions show where the Kremlin is recruiting its soldiers
Russia does not release information on the numbers of mobilised and recruited men, or casualties of war in Ukraine; however, the Bank of Finland institute for Emerging Economies has dug into public banking records to work out where soldiers are from.
World Bank says Emerging Europe needs tougher targets to reach net zero by 2060
New World Bank report charts path to net zero energy in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, but says current ambitions are too modest.