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War in Ukraine
I thought it worth updating my thoughts on Ukraine, and particularly where this war is going as the duration and ultimate damage done by the conflict will be key to understanding the longer term econo
Aug. 5, 2022
War in Ukraine
A Russian outfit hired people off the street and paid them to post online comments intended to give the impression of grassroots support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Facebook owner Meta said Thur
Aug. 5, 2022
War in Ukraine
Russia’s embassies are acting more than ever as the Kremlin’s mouthpiece of propaganda and occasional hatred. Unlike RT (formerly Russia Today) and Sputnik News agency, which the EU banned in the earl
Aug. 4, 2022
Russia
The US Treasury has expanded sanctions against more Russian elite and “Putin’s friends.” In particular, the former Russian athlete (rhythmic gymnast) Alina Kabaeva has been added to the list. Kabaeva
Aug. 3, 2022
Russia
An aide to former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that the politician’s social media account had been “hacked” after a post was published questioning the sovereignty of former Soviet co
Aug. 2, 2022
Russia
UN head Antonio Guterres warned Monday that a misunderstanding could spark nuclear destruction as the United States, Britain and France urged Russia to stop “its dangerous nuclear rhetoric and behavio
Aug. 1, 2022
Russia
It seems that Russia’s blackmail attempts have proved successful – for the first time since the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the U.S. has expressed readiness for negotiations. While Russian F
Jul. 28, 2022
Russia
According to an EU energy chief, Russia’s Gazprom’s reduction in gas flow is “politically motivated.” Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy, said on Tuesday that Gazprom’s most recent ann
Jul. 26, 2022
Russia
Russia keeps blackmailing the west with the threat of cutting of gas supplies. However, the European Union (EU) is ready to respond to Moscow’s threats, says Olena Pavlenko, President of the Dixie Gro
Jul. 26, 2022
War in Ukraine
Ukraine and Russia on Friday signed a landmark deal aimed at relieving a global food crisis caused by blocked Black Sea grain deliveries, ending months of negotiations and sending wheat prices tumblin
Jul. 23, 2022
Russia
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto travelled to Moscow on Thursday to discuss purchasing more Russian gas on behalf of his country, the ruling Fidesz party said. “In order to ensure the securi
Jul. 21, 2022
Russia
The Kremlin said Thursday that Europe’s gas delivery problems were due to “technical difficulties” caused by economic sanctions, as the Nord Stream pipeline reopened after maintenance but with a reduc
Jul. 21, 2022
Russia
Germany and the rest of Europe saw gas resume flowing through the Nord Stream pipeline on Thursday after 10 days of a nerve-wracking wait for scheduled maintenance to be completed. But how did Germany
Jul. 21, 2022
Russia
EU countries on Wednesday targeted Russian gold exports and froze assets at Russia’s largest bank in an update to the sanctions imposed to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. “The main goal is
Jul. 20, 2022
War in Ukraine
In December 1988, Pan Am flight 103 exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people. Most of the dead were students taking advantage of discounted travel from Europe to the U.S. for t
Jul. 20, 2022
War in Ukraine
It is often suggested that Russia will be different once Vladimir Putin, portrayed as the ultimate villain du jour, has faded from the political scene. However, with the military aggression ongoing, i
Jul. 20, 2022
The Russian delegation brought a collective 76 years of high-level government service to the table in Riyadh compared to that of the US representatives whose experience was measured in weeks.
Feb. 19