Eastern Europe / Features
"We've been lost in a game of cards": the IDPs starting new lives in Ukraine's interior
Fighting at the front in Ukraine kills thousands each week, but behind the frontline, the war continues to shatter lives in less visible ways.
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History suggests US and Russia can shape peace between India and Pakistan
India’s military action under Operation Sindoor, targeting sites inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Pakistan’s own territory, has triggered a familiar cycle of tension between the two nuclear neighbours.
Trump dollar drama sparks global power shift as BRICS countries circle
Trump dollar drama sparks global power shift as BRICS countries consider alternative currency amid US economic uncertainty
COMMENT: Is Russia’s economy headed for hard or soft landing?
Russia’s economy slowed much more sharply in the first quarter than anticipated – and it was expected to slow. Is the economy headed for a hard or a soft landing, asks Capital Economics.
Tensions flare in Azerbaijan–Russia ties despite Patriarch’s visit
Mixed messages as an Azerbaijani ruling party MP is refused entry to Russia while President Ilham Aliyev hosts Patriarch Kirill in Baku.
Artificial Intelligence and electricity: a new energy challenge
The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence is transforming how industries operate, particularly the electricity sector.
After Samarkand summit, Europe’s quest for Central Asian resources meets reality
Playing long game for rare earths.
Battle of Russia’s supermarket titans continues as Magnit closes the gap with rival X5 after acquisition of high-end retailer Azbuka Vkusa
The battle for market share between Russia’s two leading supermarket chains Magnit and the X5 Group saw a strategic shift after Magnit acquired control of high-end supermarket chain Azbuka Vkusa (The ABC of Taste).
Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia
Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.
UKRAINE REMONT: Store openings surge as supermarkets adapt to war
Ukraine's grocery retail sector continued to grow throughout 2024, with major chains increasing their store numbers across the country.
UKRAINE REMONT: Cement sector ready for reconstruction
Ukraine’s cement producers are confident they will be able to produce enough of the material to fully cover domestic demand during reconstruction.
Russia's expanding pull in Africa is pushing Western influence out
Moscow’s expanding presence in Africa has largely unfolded in silence, but the shift it represents is profound. Like in the game of Risk, Africa’s sheer size and its treasure trove of untapped raw materials is becoming increasingly important.
How Europe has weaned itself off Russian gas in the last three years
In 2021, Eastern European countries imported almost half of their gas from Russia. Only two countries in the region – Albania and Kosovo – were wholly independent of Russian gas.
Russian VTB Bank says will open branch in Iran next year
Russia's VTB Bank has announced plans to open its first branch in Iran in the coming year, marking a significant development in financial cooperation between the two countries, an official with the bank said.
Hungarian PM Orban’s line on Ukraine hardening as Trump tries to bully the EU into making concessions to Russian demands
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s opposition to Ukraine joining the European Union is intensifying, bolstered by US President Donald Trump, who has upended Western support for Kyiv.
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UKRAINE REMONT: rail freight companies prepare for reconstruction
Ukrainian freight operators are racing to develop the country’s rail logistics and capture market share ahead of a potential end to hostilities and reconstruction.
Who is going to Moscow May 9 victory day parade?
Who will attend Putin’s Victory parade on May 9? The guest list will be a barometer of Russia’s standing in the world and how far he has got in building an alternative international community in the Global South.
Farm to front line: Ukraine's wartime agriculture sector
Despite the twin pressures of war and drought, Ukraine’s agricultural sector continues to be a driving force behind the country’s economy, with experts confident of continued growth and investment.
Asian giants thrive in Russia despite sanctions
Maintaining a complex balance between profit, geopolitical alignment and risk management, the presence of Asian nations in Russia reveals a divergence between Western corporate exodus and Eastern mercantile strategy.
Syrian Alawites find refuge in Russia’s Perm
Russian officials have confirmed a steady flow of Syrian refugees that have begun settling in the Perm region of the country as sectarian attacks continue to target religious minorities, including Alawites.