Russia
US extends licence for Lukoil foreign asset sales to June
The United States has extended by one month, to June 27, a licence allowing companies to continue discussions with Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil (LKOH.MM) over the potential purchase of its overseas assets.
How effective are Ukraine’s drone strikes at destroying Russian refinery production?
Wrangling over how effective Ukraine’s drone strikes of Russian refineries has broken out amidst conflicting reports of just how much damage is being done to Russia’s key oil infrastructure.
A growing Balkan bloc objects to Ukraine's accelerated EU membership
Former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban was the most vocal opponent of Ukraine’s EU accession bid. However, behind the scenes several other EU members have opposed allowing the agricultural superpower to join.
Russian state banks buy into e-commerce with Sber and Ozon deal next
Sberbank negotiates purchase of Ozon stake, after VTB and fellow e-commerce platform Wildberries confirm partnership deal.
Timur Turlov’s Freedom Holding Corp: From a niche broker to a global fintech player
The story of how a small brokerage firm transformed into a transnational financial ecosystem.
Moscow has closed the Ukraine ceasefire dialogue with the US - Ryabkov
Russia has suspended dialogue with the US on strategic stability and nuclear arms control, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, signalling a further deterioration in relations between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
Putin deepens ties with Kazakhstan with nuclear power plant deal and renewed friendship declaration during state visit
Vladimir Putin arrived in Astana on Wednesday for a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan — his second to the country in a single presidential term — trailing a delegation of more than 30 senior officials and business figures.
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Terrorist attacks in Russia thwarted by joint work with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, says FSB director
Warns Afghanistan-based ISKP actively recruiting individuals across Central Asia and migrant workers in Russian locations.
Ukraine's drone campaign bites into Russian fuel supply as refinery damage forces emergency imports from Belarus
Russia's purchases of Belarusian gasoline on the St Petersburg commodity exchange exceeded 17,000 tonnes in early May — roughly 58-times the volume bought in the same period last year.
Russia seeks partial privatisation of state carrier Aeroflot
Russian national air carrier Aeroflot plans to privatise a 23.76% stake worth approximately $634mn as part of the government’s financial market development programme.
Russia’s state VTB Bank and e-commerce major Wildberries said to approach deal
Russia’s second-largest state-controlled bank VTB has reportedly agreed on the main terms of a strategic partnership with Wildberries.
Ukraine's ammunition lifeline frays as US scales back Nato commitments
Half of the members' ammunition alliance to supply Ukraine with shells have withdrawn from the Czech-led initiative that has kept the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) supplied with crucial munitions in its war with Russia in the last two years.
Macron calls Lukashenko as US withdraws from Ukraine ceasefire talks
French President Emmanuel Macron took the unusual step of calling Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko on May 24, which is now housing Russian nuclear weapons.
The hunt for a European mediator in Russia-Ukraine talks continues, but no talks are likely yet
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has put himself forward to represent the EU in possible ceasefire talks with Russia now the US has fully withdrawn from the process, but immediately ruled out any talks starting unless Russia agreed to a ceasefire.
CBR governor Nabiullina’s terms expires next year and replacement list is short – The Bell
The third and last term of CBR governor Elvira Nabiullina expires on June 24, 2027 and the list of possible replacements is short, The Bell reports, based on sources in the Kremlin.
Norway overtakes Russia as world's top gas pipeline exporter
Norway overtook Russia as the world’s biggest exporter of gas via pipeline in 2025, reflecting Moscow’s loss of most of its market share in Europe over the past four years.
Russian attack damages landmarks across Kyiv in one of war’s largest aerial assaults
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 90 missiles and 600 drones during an attack that lasted several hours.
Russia fires Oreshnik cruise missiles at Kyiv as tit for tat cycle of violence continues
Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the war against Kyiv on May 24, firing two Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles alongside hundreds of drones and cruise missiles in retaliation for Ukraine's strikes a week earlier.
Russia steps up economic pressure on Armenia ahead of pivotal election
Russia has intensified trade restrictions and public warnings over energy pricing against Armenia, as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan steers the country closer to the European Union.
CAUCASUS BLOG: Russia's South Ossetia treaty edges toward annexation
New treaty amounts to de facto annexation of separatist Georgian republic, analysts and Georgian opposition figures say.