Eastern Europe / News
Ukraine parliament greenlights law on anti-corruption court amid enormous western pressure
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has greenlighted in the second reading a law necessary to set up an independent anti-corruption court in the country, but the jury is still out if the new law will satisfy the IMF's demands.
Ukraine parliament dismisses finance minister Danylyuk
Ukraine's parliament. the Verkhovna Rada, has sacked the well regarded Oleksandr Danylyuk from the post of finance minister following his bitter conflict with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.
Infighting snowballs in Ukraine as PM urges parliament to dismiss finance minister Danyliuk
Volodymyr Groysman tells MPs his finance minister's actions are "incompatible" with continued membership of the cabinet.
Ukraine parliament to adopt anti-corruption court law on June 7, finance minister says
Establishing an independent anti-corruption court is a crucial condition for a new tranche from a $17.5bn support package agreed by Kyiv with the IMF.
_1528279834.png)
CEE monthly bond wrap: dead as a Dodo
Bond markets in Eastern Europe were as dead as the proverbial Dodo in May, continuing the slowdown already seen after the US imposed new sanctions on Russia in April.
Eurasian commodities exporters at risk from China deleveraging
Rating agency Fitch forecasts Beijing's deleveraging efforts will slow Chinese GDP growth, with a negative impact on countries that supply the Asian economic giant with raw materials.
IIB grants Wetlands International NGO €40,000 for fire prevention and peatlands restoration project
Moscow-based multinational development bank supports project that addresses fire risk from peatlands — a serious hazard that regularly afflicts Russia in the summer.
 Cropped_1528187807.png)
Putin signs off on a toothless anti-US counter-sanctions law
The law was drawn up in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russia in April and is unlikely to have anything more than a symbolic effect.
Kremlin attempts to uproot corruption, clear the field for a spending leap
The Russian Audit Chamber that is now headed by ex-Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin will be given carte blanche to scrutinise regional spending as the Kremlin revs up to drop RUB8 trillion on the economy
Ukraine's PM threatens to resign if anti-corruption court is not established
Establishing an independent anti-corruption court is a crucial condition for a new tranche from a $17.5bn support package agreed by Kyiv with the IMF.
Russian developers could be hit by ban on housing pre-sales
The Russian government is currently considering a ban on pre-selling apartments and forcing companies to complete construction before they put the properties on the market.
"Let others resign." Ukraine finance minister not going to step down despite conflict with PM
Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk is not going to resign despite his bitter conflict with the nations Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, the minister told journalists on May 31.
Moscow mayor Sobyanin's ratings way ahead of opposition for mayoral elections
Kremlin insider Sobyanin's ratings stand at 34% and are out of reach of other contenders for the elections slated in September, who barely reach 1%.
Ukraine attempting to enforce Stockholm court $2.6bn award on Russia’s Gazprom
Ukraine's state-owned natural gas monopoly Naftogaz has appealed Swiss courts seeking to the enforce the recovery of $2.6bn debt from Russia's giant Gazprom
Russia to extend Turkish Stream to Bulgaria, PM Borissov says
Borissov and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev have both visited Russia in recent weeks as they mount a charm offensive aimed at taking part in the new pipeline that will deliver Russian gas to Europe via Turkey.
Ukrainian security forces stage killing of Russian journalist in baffling stunt
Russian war reporter Babchenko appeared live and well at a press conference in Kyiv the day after pictures posted on social media appeared to show him shot dead in his apartment.
Ukraine president urges switching nation's finances from loans to FDI
Petro Poroshenko calls on foreign investors to "write their names in the history of Ukrainian success" but analysts warn that political instability, inefficiency and corruption are deterring investment.
Turkey reportedly assessing potential Russian Su-57 deal if US bars F-35 purchases
Speculation emerges after American senators move to block fighter jet deliveries in response to Ankara’s planned S-400 missile purchases and jailing of pastor.
Russia's VTB Bank and Sogaz to merge insurance assets
"The largest player in the history of Russian insurance segment" will be created after state-controlled VTB Bank sells its insurance assets to Sogaz, the country's largest insurer, the bank announced on May 25.
Gazprom escapes EU fine in antitrust probe over market position in CEE
The Russian gas giant will not be fined for abusing its market dominance in CEE after seven-year probe, but will have to comply with EU rules ensuring a more competitive gas market in the region.