Ukraine
Ukraine’s two biggest EU export-earners of corn and metals falling in 2025 as tariff-free deal set to expire
The exports of two of Ukraine’s biggest export earners, corn and metal, are falling, which will squeeze the already cash strapped government and make a €20bn trade deficit with the EU worse in 2025.
Putin orders creation of buffer zone along Ukrainian border
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a buffer zone to be set up along the border with Ukraine on May 22.
Intense Ukrainian drone attacks drive civilian flights out of southern Russian skies
Ukraine has launched some of its biggest ever drone attacks on Russia, which caused disruptions to civil aviation across the country on May 22.
The EU prepares a Plan B to sidestep Hungary's veto of Ukraine's accession bid
Brussels is preparing Plan B to side step Hungary’s veto of Ukraine’ accession to the EU, European Pravda reported on May 21. The initial legal steps have already been taken, though they remain undisclosed, according to multiple EU sources.
Military tensions rising as France deploys naval ship in the Baltic Sea for first time to monitor Russian shadow tankers
For the first time, the French Navy has deployed the 101-meter-long intelligence ship Dupuy de Lôme to the Baltic Sea to monitor Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers.
US-sanctioned ex-Ukrainian MP shot dead near Madrid
Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian lawmaker sanctioned by the United States and a senior aide to ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead outside Madrid, a Spanish police source told Agence France-Presse on May 15.
COMMENT: A protracted Sino-US trade war is good news for Russia
The United States and China may have agreed to a temporary pause in their escalating tariff battle, but the underlying trade war shows no signs of abating. While markets remain wary of further shocks, one country – Russia – is the big winner.
EU approves seventeenth sanctions package
The European Union approved the seventeenth package of sanctions against Russia on May 20, further tightening restrictions in response to Moscow’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
European leaders in Tirana for EPC summit amid “relentless attacks” on international order
European leaders focus on continent's mounting challenges: Russia’s war in Ukraine, economic security and democratic resilience.
Russo-Ukraine Istanbul ceasefire talks break up without result
The first direct meeting between the Kremlin and Bankova for negotiations since the start of the war in Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16 ended in failure with little progress being made.
Putin slaps Zelenskiy in the face, skipping the Istanbul meeting, sending a low-level delegation in his place
Russian president Vladimir Putin was a no-show at direct talks he proposed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and sent a low-level delegation instead that didn't include a single minister, in what has been called a “slap in the face”.
EBRD2025: Ukraine prepares for peace by getting ready for war
“We keep struggling, but we are strong and now we are stronger than we were in 2022, but of course we have suffered a lot,” said Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko at a high-level panel on Ukraine.
Lula presses Putin to attend Ukraine peace talks as Russian leader sends deputies instead
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of voices piling pressure on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to personally attend proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but to no avail.
EBRD2025: France pledges €10mn to repair Chernobyl shelter after drone strike
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has secured a €10mn ($10.8mn) contribution from France to help fund emergency repairs to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the Chernobyl (Chornobyl) nuclear power plant.
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Ukrainian ex-convict accused of masterminding botched Lima heist
A foiled heist in the heart of Lima has exposed the operations of a foreign-led gang allegedly orchestrated by Vitaliy Zinchenko, a 42-year-old Ukrainian national with a criminal past in Peru.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Zelenskiy to travel to Istanbul after Trump backs Putin’s offer of talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to hold face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.
EU leaders demand Putin end hostilities or face crushing sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a rare midnight press conference on May 10 and called for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Istanbul format, as the key EU members of the coalition of the willing met Ukrainian President Zelinskiy.
Brazil courts Moscow with nuclear and defence pacts as Europe rallies behind Ukraine
Brazil and Russia are pursuing extensive cooperation on nuclear technology, military hardware and space exploration, as President Lula da Silva dismissed European criticism of his attendance at Vladimir Putin's Victory Day celebrations.
COMMENT: Lessons from Ukraine suggest India will not go to war with Pakistan
The vast economic and demographic imbalance between India and Pakistan strongly favours New Delhi in any theoretical war between the two rivals. Yet, lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine suggest that India cannot win a total war.