Russia / News
Austria's OMV fires senior exec for Russian espionage
Austrian energy and chemicals group OMV has fired a long-serving executive over suspicions of espionage for Russia, and Vienna has summoned a Russian diplomat in connection with the case.
China sends its first east-west cargo ship via Russia’s Arctic Northern route
The first ever Chinese cargo vessel departed from the massive Ningbo-Zhoushan port on September 22 bound for Felixstowe in the UK via Russia’s frozen Northern Route, in an experiment that could have a major impact on Sino-European trade.
Trump does an about-turn on Ukraine as his “minerals diplomacy” with Russia fails
Donald Trump did an abrupt about-turn on Ukraine during an hour-long rambling speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), saying Ukraine could recapture all its lost territory in the war with Russia.
Russia steps up propaganda ahead of election with claim EU plans to “occupy” Moldova
President Maia Sandu warns Russian interference threatens Moldova's sovereignty, independence and European future.
US moves to retake Bagram would have “catastrophic consequences”
The Taliban military chief said Afghans had “fought well to defend their independence” and should the US consider a military operation, would continue to do so in the face of any challenge to the country’s sovereignty.
_0_1758632439.jpg)
Serbia to sign new gas supply deal with Russia in October
Serbia, which imported about 3bn cubic metres of Russian gas in 2024, remains among the most energy-dependent countries in Europe.
IMF presses Ukraine to raise budget funding estimate to $65bn
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pushed Ukraine to increase its estimate of foreign financing needs through 2027 to about $65bn, significantly higher than the government’s initial projection of $38bn.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
"Don’t come here to whine" if Nato downs your jets, Poland’s Sikorski warns Russia at UN
Polish foreign minister's rebuke follows incursion into Estonia airspace by Russian MIG-31s and drone violations over Poland and Romanian.
Cairo and Moscow seal 49-year pact on Russian Industrial Zone on shore of Egypt's Suez Canal
The Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ) will be located in Ain Sokhna, within Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone -- a vital maritime artery that links the Mediterranean and Red seas and provides the fastest sea passage between Europe and Asia.
US presses India on Russian oil in trade talks
The United States has raised India’s oil purchases from Russia as part of ongoing trade negotiations, even as Indian refiners continue to increase such imports to meet domestic demand
EU finance ministers discuss Ukraine's Reparations Loan but no decision yet
EU finance ministers met in Copenhagen on September 20 to discuss tapping the cash pile of frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) money and using it to make a large Reparation Loans to Ukraine, but no final decision has been reached.
North Korean leader oversees test of AI-powered attack drones
Pyongyang unveiled its first attack drones last year, a move that experts warned was closely linked to its growing military partnership with Russia, and may also be linked to Chinese agencies supplying Pyongyang with technical support.
EU passes nineteenth sanctions package, accelerates LNG phase out
The European Commission has published proposals for a 19th sanctions package against Russia that would tighten curbs on energy trade and payments, with new measures aimed at oil refineries, oil traders and petrochemical companies in third countries.
Poland closes its border with Belarus, cutting off China's rail link to Europe
Poland’s decision to close its border with Belarus in response to the quadrennial Zapad-2025 military exercises and Russian drone incursion on September 10 has abruptly severed one of the fastest-growing trade arteries between China and the EU.
Russian team comes dead last in Hungary’s annual grave digging contest
In a surprise move, Hungary invited a Russian team to its annual grave digging competition. In an even bigger surprise the team from Novosibirsk came dead last.
Serbia in talks with Russia on nuclear power plant construction
Talks follow Serbia’s November 2024 decision to lift a historic ban on nuclear power, imposed by its predecessor state Yugoslavia in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster.
Fuel prices in Kyrgyzstan rocket as Ukraine steps up drone strikes on Russian refineries
Central Asian country relies on Russia for nine-tenths of its fuel.
Ukraine hits multiple Russian oil refineries, Trump calls for more EU oil sanctions
Ukraine is expanding its campaign of trying to cut the Kremlin off from its oil export income with a campaign of targeting Russia’s oil refining and pipeline assets, using its new long-range drones and missiles.
Lukewarm support for Polish UN vote condemning Russian drone incursion
Only 46 out of 193 UN member states signed a joint UN declaration on September 12, denouncing Russia’s alleged involvement in a drone incursion into Polish airspace two days earlier.