Belarus reports modest GDP growth 1.6% in 8M25

Belarus’ economy expanded by 1.6% in the period from January to August 2025, according to preliminary estimates from the National Statistical Committee, state news agency BelTA reported on 17 September.

Most Ukrainians reject Russian peace plan, back continued resistance, poll shows

An overwhelming majority of Ukrainians remain committed to resisting Russia’s invasion and reject Moscow’s latest peace proposals, even as many recognise that the war is unlikely to end soon, according to a new survey by the KIIS.

Extreme poverty falling steadily – OWID

To track progress towards ending extreme poverty, the United Nations relies on World Bank estimates of the number of people living below a poverty threshold called the “International Poverty Line” (IPL), Our World in Data (OWID) reports.

Two thirds of Germans fear a Russian invasion fuelling far-right election gains in western heartland

Public anxiety over a potential Russian attack on Nato territory has surged in Germany following the recent drone incursion on September 10 into Polish airspace that coincided with sharp gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

UKraine's NBU keeps rates at 15.5% for the fourth consecutive time

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) kept the key policy rate unchanged at 15.5% for a fourth time in a row on September 11, citing persistent inflationary pressures despite a clear downward trend in consumer price growth, UBN reports.

One in three Poles blame Ukraine for the drone incursion into Polish airspace

For the first time during the full-scale war in Ukraine, Poland has shot down multiple Russian drones in its airspace on September 10, but a third of Poles have blamed the strike on Ukraine, not Russia, according to a poll.

Half of Poles now against Ukraine joining Nato – poll

Just over half of Poles (53%) are now against Ukraine joining Nato, while only a third (33.5%) support the idea, according to to a recent poll conducted by the IBRiS institute for the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita on August 29-30.

Russia’s central bank releases its closely-watched annual medium-term outlook report

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) released its Main Directions of the Single State Monetary Policy (MSMP) for 2026–2028 on September 4, warning of persistent inflationary pressures but reaffirming its commitment to a 4% inflation target for 2026.

Nato’s Zeitenwende to reach 2% spending goal – Statista

New data released last week by Nato exemplifies how profoundly the realities of foreign relations have changed over the course of the past three years, Statista reports.

Russian services PMI improves to 49.1 in August, but demand remains fragile

Russian services activity stabilised in August after two consecutive months of decline, according to S&P Global’s latest PMI data, but the broader private sector continues to face subdued demand and weakening confidence.

Russia's manufacturing sector remains under pressure despite signs of stabilisation

Russian manufacturing activity continued to contract in August, although at a slower pace, as persistent weakness in demand weighed on output and new orders, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data published by S&P Global.

Inflation slowing in the majority of Russia's regions

Annual inflation slowed in most Russian regions (74) in July despite the indexation of utility rates, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reported on August 22.

Russian bank deposits fall further as August withdrawals accelerate

Russian bank customers have continued to pull funds from their accounts, with another RUB17.7bn ($193mn) withdrawn as of August 15, according to new figures released by the Russian Central Bank.

Russia scraps mandatory foreign currency sales for exporters as rouble strengthens

The Russian government has reduced to zero the requirement for mandatory repatriation and sale of foreign currency earnings by exporters, thanks to a stronger ruble and stable foreign exchange conditions, Vedomosti reported on August 14.

Kazakhstan pulls ahead of Russia for GDP per capita

Development a serious blow to Russian prestige.

Annual inflation in Russia slowed to 8.79% in July

Annual inflation in Russia eased to 8.79% in July from 9.4% in June, despite a month-on-month acceleration in consumer price growth, according to Rosstat, Vedomosti reported on August 13.

Russia’s economy narrowly avoids technical recession as war strains mount

The slowdown in GDP growth in Russia to 1.1% year on year in the second quarter suggests the economy may have narrowly avoided a technical recession, but “the economy is clearly struggling amidst imbalances that have built up due to the war."

Russia’s manufacturing sector PMI suffers sharpest output drop since 2022 to 47.8 in July

US effective tariff rate at 17% after July duties adjustment - Fitch

The United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR) has settled at 17% following the latest reciprocal duty announcements on July 27 and July 31, according to Fitch Ratings.

Ukraine’s central bank to hold interest rate at 15.5% amid rising inflation concerns

All 11 members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) voted to keep the key policy rate at 15.5% per annum at their meeting on July 23, the central bank said on August 4.