Russia
Amid sanctions, Kazakh firm stops supplying Russian steelworks
Kazakh companies are treading carefully doing business with Russia.
Russians trade TV news for social media as war-weariness sets in
Trust in TV news is declining among Russians, as social media news gains popularity. At the same time, Russian support for the war in Ukraine appears to be slipping, as does the belief that Russia is winning a global power struggle.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan spikes Nato accession talks with Sweden and Finland
Turkish leader leaves US and Europe wondering what his price might be for unblocking what was supposed to be a routine process.
COMMENT: Sanctions are working, but the West risks isolating Russian reformers instead of galvanising them
As the war rages on, more and more Russians report feeling the effects of sanctions. Under pressure to keep up the impressive rate of new sanctions, the West risks isolating liberal reformers from Russia's business community instead of oligarchs.
NEMETHY: Where are US markets? Where are they heading?
Whereas in previous crises the Fed tried to actively stem crises, currently it seems to be proactively inducing the crisis.
EU opens loophole for Russian gas-for-rubles scheme
The EU said that companies could keep buying Russian gas through Gazprombank without breaching sanctions for Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, with the condition that they consider their obligations fulfilled once they pay in euros or dollars
End of siege of Azovstal is near as hundreds of wounded Ukrainian troops evacuated
Hundreds of injured Ukrainian troops were evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol where they had been holed up for more than two months.
PPF agrees to sell Russian banking assets
Czech financial group finally sells out to a group of investors led by Ivan Tyryshkin, chairman of the fintech SPB Exchange.
Switzerland inches towards Nato as neutrality is put to the test
The Swiss defence ministry is compiling a report on the options for increasing Swiss security. One possible result is that the country will re-interpret its neutral status and move closer to Nato.
Lukashenko hits out at lack of unity shown by member nations of Russia-led military bloc
In front of Putin in Moscow, Belarusian dictator addresses counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia.
Russia launches homespun Google Play alternative
Russia has launched NashStore, its answer to Google Play. The platform was designed with the help of 700 Russian companies, and is intended to help circumvent sanctions. But it only offers a thousand apps at present, and has to be downloaded online.
Significant gains for Ukraine as troops reach the Russian border in Kharkiv region
Ukraine’s advance in the north-east is an impressive turnaround after Russian troops had attempted a siege on Kharkiv for two months.
In Nato expansion row Erdogan tells Sweden, Finland ‘Don’t bother sending delegations to Turkey’
Turkish president doubles down on opposing Nordic nations’ applications to join defence alliance.
Nordic Nato accession set to reinforce Baltic states' security
The accession of Finland and Sweden to Nato will transform the picture in the Baltic region but more military deployments are still needed, argue Baltic experts.
UK sanctions Putin’s family and “girlfriend” former gymnast Kabaeva
The UK has added Russia’s President Vladimir Putin's ex-wife, cousins and alleged “girlfriend” Alina Kabaeva to the sanctions for Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, according to the announcement of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on May 13.
Moscow plans to re-launch Moskvitch brand with Renault’s nationalised assets
French carmaker Renault will sell its 68% stake in Russia's biggest car manufacturer to the Russian government. Russian officials hail the acquisition as a way of protecting jobs, and plan to revive Soviet brand "Moskvitch" at the facility.
McDonald’s to continue operating in Russia under new name – RBK
McDonald's is reportedly planning to re-open under a new brand in Russia as soon as June.
Russia dismisses report it plans to cut gas flow to Finland
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected a Finnish media report that Russia is preparing to cut gas flow to the Nordic country over its decision to apply to join Nato.
Erdogan comes out against Finland, Sweden joining Nato
Turkish leader says Nordic countries are “home to many terrorist organisations”. Position may anger Western nations that have tolerated Ankara’s decision not to impose war sanctions on Moscow.
bneGREEN: Climate change, war in Ukraine and rising prices create perfect storm threatening global food security
The war in Ukraine has interrupted grain exports from the country and could create a global food crisis as vulnerable wheat importing countries in Africa and the Middle East face shortages and rising prices.
