Ukraine
The NBU keeps rates on hold at 13% due to rising inflation pressure
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has decided to maintain its key policy rate at 13% on July 25, halting a series of three consecutive rate cuts.
Hong Kong shell companies’ exports bust sanctions, as Ukraine's Foreign Minister holds talks with Russian ally China
Shell companies operating out of Hong Kong are shipping restricted military technology to Russia, the NYT reveals. The revelations comes as Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba travels to China for key talks.
European Commission in no rush to step in and settle Lukoil transit ban dispute
Ukraine’s recent sanctions have barred Lukoil from using the country for transit, affecting both Hungary and Slovakia.
Political tensions and security concerns mount as Paris Olympics begin
As the Paris 2024 Olympics prepare to open, the event is facing a complex web of political tensions and security concerns, with reports of potential threats to the event putting the French organisers on high alert.
Russia to ban smartphones from the battlefield, used by Ukraine to find targets
The State Duma approved an amendment to a new law that would make it a serious disciplinary offence for soldiers to carry smartphones and other certain gadgets while serving in combat zones such as Ukraine.
Ukraine war makes Caspian Sea environmental crisis worse
The war in Ukraine is making a growing environmental crisis in the Caspian Sea worse, claims Zaur Shiriyev, a scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Pollution from the war is making an already bad situation worse.
Momentum builds for the start of peace talks on Ukraine
A little more momentum was built for a start to peace talks as Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba travelled to Beijing for his first post-invasion meeting with China, and more commentators say a deal is possible.
Slovakia threatens Ukraine with retaliation over halted Russian oil imports
Ukraine’s tightened sanctions against Russian oil giant Lukoil have led to a decreased flow of Russian oil into Hungary and Slovakia.
Georgia investigates alleged plot to assassinate Ivanishvili and violently overthrow government
Claims made that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies involved. Georgian soldiers fighting in Ukraine summoned for questioning.
Hungary to block disbursement of European Peace Facility to Ukraine until Lukoil delivery issues resolved
Hungary has been blocking the disbursement of the next European Peace Facility tranche for more than a year.
KSE: Stepping up economic sanctions is urgently needed to constrain Russia
Energy sanctions continue to face challenges, while Russia’s favourable external environment supports its economy and fiscal stability. These trends clearly show that the pressure on Russia is insufficient.
German sentenced to death by Minsk may be part of Kremlin’s prisoner swap deal preparations
A Belarusian court has sentenced German citizen Rico Krieger to death on terrorism changes. But observers believe Krieger’s case is linked to the Kremlin's preparation for a prisoner swap deal.
Ukraine avoids default with generous bond restructuring deal
Ukraine appears to have averted a disastrous default on its debt and has secured a last-minute “comprehensive restructuring” of its external public commercial debt, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko announced on July 22.
Hungary faces energy crisis, after Ukraine cuts off Russian oil deliveries
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has warned that a durable solution is urgently needed following Ukraine's decision to cut off oil deliveries from Russia’s Lukoil, causing a significant disruption to Hungary's oil supply.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vows to build a Defensive Europe following her re-election
The European Parliament has re-elected Ursula von der Leyen to a second term as President of the European Commission on July 18, who vowed to build a “Defensive Union” to counter Russia’s aggression.
Ukraine’s government mulls raising taxes to plug a $12bn hole in the budget
Ukraine’s budget is short of UAH500bn ($12bn) this year to finance its planned expenditures and it is not clear how the shortfall will be covered, other than by raising taxes and printing money.
New Ukrainian agency seeks to tackle spiralling arms costs amidst global weapon shortages
As Ukraine strives to procure rapidly depleting stocks of weapons on the global market, its well-meaning allies are inadvertently driving up costs fivefold, while profiteers are capitalising on the situation.
COLLINGWOOD: Atlanticists vs. Autonomists - The battle for the strategic future of the European Union
In Europe’s capital cities and among its elites a great but undeclared battle is being fought for the future of the European Union. One side is heavily outgunned. The other side is dominant. But the race is on.
International energy firms pressed to support Ukraine energy fund
Head of EU-backed agency seeks to ramp up financial and in-kind support for war-ravaged power sector.
Trump names J D Vance as running mate in setback for Ukraine
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice-presidential pick on the opening day of the Republican National Convention on July 15, in a move that brings the Ukraine war ceasefire talks one step closer.