Ukraine
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries drive up petrol prices, shortages looming
Russian wholesale gasoline prices are soaring to record levels following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on critical refinery infrastructure. Analysts warn that Russia is facing fuel shortages in the coming weeks, Meduza reported on August 21.
US will play minimum role in Ukraine’s security guarantees – Politico
The Pentagon’s top policy official Elbridge Colby says the US will play a minimal role in any Ukraine security guarantees, Politico reported on August 21.
Western reliance on peacekeepers and arms sales in lieu of real security guarantees doom Russo-Ukraine peace talks to failure
The coalition of the willing plan to send “reassurance forces” to Ukraine and buy Kyiv $100bn worth of new US weapons in lieu of giving Kyiv real collective security guarantees will doom imminent Russo-Ukraine peace negotiations to failure.
Peace turns on possible new Western security deals for Ukraine
Mixed results for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy following the historic meeting with US President Donald Trump and seven European leaders on August 18 in the White House.
Ukraine goes into production of Flamingo ICBM
Flamingo is part of Ukraine's broader push to develop independent strike capabilities, as it has been sorely lacking in missiles that can strike targets deep in Russia’s hinterland.
High stake talks in Washington between Trump, Zelenskiy and EU leaders
Following the underwhelming Alaska summit, US president Donald Trump has invited five European leaders, NATO, and the EU to the Oval Office as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to close a deal that could end the war on August 18.
Putin demanded complete control of Donbas from Trump in Alaska talks
President Vladimir Putin demanded that Ukraine give up complete control of the Donbas in talks with Trump, but said he was prepared to freeze the conflict in the remaining two regions of Kherson and Zapariszhzhia the Financial Times reported.
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Kyivstar becomes first Ukrainian company to list on Nasdaq after $178mn SPAC merger
Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecoms operator, has become the first Ukrainian company to trade on Nasdaq after completing a merger with Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I, a special purpose acquisition company.
No deal in Alaska: Putin looks strong, Trump looks weak
No deal to end the war in Ukraine was reached at the historic meeting between US president Donald Trump and president Vladimir Putin at a three-hour summit in Alaska on August 15 that ended up making the Russian leader look stronger than ever.
US to offer Russia access to Alaskan rare earth minerals at Alaska summit - Daily Telegraph
The United States is preparing to propose granting Russia access to rare earth minerals in Alaska during the forthcoming summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, The Daily Telegraph reported on August 13.
Kyivstar to become first Ukrainian company listed on US stock exchange
Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, is set to become the first Ukrainian company to list on a US stock exchange, with plans to debut on the Nasdaq later this year. The company could raise between $50mn and $200mn through the listing.
Russia’s economy narrowly avoids technical recession as war strains mount
The slowdown in GDP growth in Russia to 1.1% year on year in the second quarter suggests the economy may have narrowly avoided a technical recession, but “the economy is clearly struggling amidst imbalances that have built up due to the war."
COMMENT: What is Rosneft’s flagship Vostok Oil Project seeking to achieve?
Russia’s oil industry enjoyed a renaissance between 2008 and 2018 when about 30 new oil fields came online, significantly boosting production. The Vostok Oil fields hold some 45bn barrels of oil.
Venezuela clears way for Russian extradition of Ukraine supporter held in Caracas
Venezuela's Supreme Court will consider extraditing a Russian national and prominent Ukraine supporter to Moscow on terrorism charges, in yet another case that illustrates the deepening ties between Maduro's regime and the Kremlin.
Ukraine's position deteriorates ahead of key Trump-Putin summit in Alaska
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Anchorage, Alaska on August 15 in what could be critical talks that could bring the war in Ukraine a step closer.
European beekeepers oppose higher duty-free honey imports from Ukraine
The European Beekeeping Association (EBA) has called on the European Commission to delay a planned increase in duty-free honey imports from Ukraine, warning that the move risks worsening pressure on the EU’s honey market.
Russian fossil fuel revenues slip as CREA calls for tighter price cap enforcement
Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues fell 3% month-on-month in July to €585mn a day, as weaker crude oil and LNG sales offset a sharp rise in pipeline gas income, according to the July monthly update on Russia’s oil trade from CREA.
Europe overtakes US as main supplier of military aid to Ukraine
Europe, including the United Kingdom, has outstripped the United States in total military aid to Ukraine for the first time since mid-2022, with a growing share of support sourced directly from defence industry production rather stockpiles.
Fire reported at Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's cargo port
Fire reported near cargo port of occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as Ukraine warns of catastrophic risks from Russian military actions at Europe's largest atomic facility.
Naftogaz wins Austrian court approval to seize Russian assets worth over €120mn
Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz Group has secured permission from an Austrian court to enforce a $5bn arbitral award against Russia, in the latest step in its effort to recover compensation for the seizure of its assets in Crimea.