Ukraine
KSE: Russia unlikely to face serious constraints in the current economic environment
Russia’s oil export revenues remain high as energy sanctions fail to offset rising global prices. Improved external dynamics are helping to stabilise the ruble and support the budget.
EBRD to invest €1.5bn into Ukraine until the war ends
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will invest €1.5bn into Ukraine until the war ends making the development bank the country’s biggest investor, the bank said on May 28.
Moldova positions itself to support Ukraine reconstruction
International companies are already setting up in Moldova with the aim of supplying the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Ukraine to start receiving ammunition worth €1.6bn through Czech scheme
15 EU member states have already contributed more than €1.6bn to the Czech-led initiative. The first shipment should arrive in the next few days.
Pressure mounts on Hungary to ease its obstruction of EU military aid to Ukraine
Budapest blocks freeing up of a further €6.5bn from the European Peace Facility, as well as the 14th package of sanctions on Moscow.
RAGOZIN: Ukraine’s mobilisation – public support vs private resistance
In Odesa, a young woman was badly bruised when a draft officer attacked her with metal crutches as she protested her friend’s detention by a press gang.
Russian pivot to the Global South includes unscrupulous army recruiting practices
After launching its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and being sanctioned by the West, Russia has doubled down on its overtures to countries of the Global South.
LONG READ: Ukraine is losing the drone war
Drones have become a game-changer in the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war and, after an early lead, Ukraine is losing now as Moscow outproduces and out-innovates Kyiv.
Putin ready for ceasefire in Ukraine say Reuters' sources
Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire based on recognising the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters.
US vacillates over giving Ukraine permission to strike Russian targets
The US continues to vacillate over giving Kyiv permission to use US-made weapons to hit targets inside Russia’s territory, as Ukraine’s military situation deteriorates further.
Russian oligarch Fridman to take Luxembourg to court in a $15.8bn sanctions compensation claim
Mikhail Fridman, founder of Alfa Group, is the first Russian billionaire to challenge European sanctions and demand compensation for his frozen assets, reports Vedomosti.
Poland brings back controversial commission to probe Russian and Belarusian influence
Poland has recently detained nine individuals for allegedly carrying out sabotage operations directed by Russian intelligence.
“Silent demise” of world’s vast rangelands threatens food supply of billions, warns UNCCD report
Sixty-plus experts examine degradation caused by land overuse and misuse, climate change and biodiversity loss.
Central Europe nudges Ukrainian refugees to return home
Both Czechia and Poland have so far resisted Kyiv’s call to send military-age male refugees home.
MOSCOW BLOG: Putin's guns and butter plan
Russian President Vladimir Putin was on a lovefest to China this week as the two continue to move closer together. But before he left, Putin told its military bosses that they need to focus on both guns and butter as he plans for the long term.
US says sending military “trainers” to Ukraine is “inevitable”
In another step in the creeping escalation, the US said sending military trainers” to participate in the War in Ukraine is “inevitable"
US Secretary of State Blinken says Ukraine free to use US-made weapons to strike Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukraine has to “make its own choice” when deciding to use US-made weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
EBRD 2024: Geopolitics forces dramatic shifts in Emerging Europe trade patterns
EBRd report finds sanctions and trade disruptions have led to transformations in trade patterns across the Emerging Europe and Central Asia region.
KSE: funding gaps and recommendations for the Ukraine Investment Framework
The EU has set up the Ukraine Facility that is backed with the recently approved four-year €50bn support package that will provide funds for Ukraine’s reconstruction amongst other things.
EBRD2024: EBRD expects Emerging Europe growth boost in 2024, but slightly lowers forecast
Development bank makes downward revision in latest forecasts after worse than expected Q1 figures for Central Europe.