Latest Updates

The Mariupol siege is over as the last Azov defenders surrender

The month-long siege of the Azovstal metal works in Mariupol is over after the remaining members of the Azov fighters surrendered and Russian forces took complete control of the almost totally destroyed sprawling plant.

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Azov commanders have remained behind in the Mariupol steelworks to continue the fight

Russia claims 1,730 Ukrainian soldiers from the Azov brigade holed up for nearly tw months in the Azovstal metal works have been taken prisoner since May 16, but a video released by the deputy commander claims the leaders are staying and will fight.

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Anthems of victory: How Ukraine is winning the online culture war

Whilst all eyes are on Donbas as Russia continues its devastating invasion of Ukraine, another war is being fought on our TVs, phones and computers: the culture war. From the start, Ukraine has been quick to establish the cultural narrative.

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ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan spikes Nato accession talks with Sweden and Finland

Turkish leader leaves US and Europe wondering what his price might be for unblocking what was supposed to be a routine process.

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COMMENT: Sanctions are working, but the West risks isolating Russian reformers instead of galvanising them

As the war rages on, more and more Russians report feeling the effects of sanctions. Under pressure to keep up the impressive rate of new sanctions, the West risks isolating liberal reformers from Russia's business community instead of oligarchs.

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NEMETHY: Where are US markets? Where are they heading?

Whereas in previous crises the Fed tried to actively stem crises, currently it seems to be proactively inducing the crisis.

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Just another day in Ukraine's hell

Ukrainian refugees seek shelter from heavy shelling in a school's basement as Russian troops grind ever closer.

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PPF agrees to sell Russian banking assets

Czech financial group finally sells out to a group of investors led by Ivan Tyryshkin, chairman of the fintech SPB Exchange.

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Nordic Nato accession set to reinforce Baltic states' security

The accession of Finland and Sweden to Nato will transform the picture in the Baltic region but more military deployments are still needed, argue Baltic experts.

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Russia may leave the WTO and WHO. In practice, it never really joined

UN special rapporteur issues damning indictment on human cost of sanctions in Iran

Macron urges Sofia and Skopje to solve their dispute amid tensions in Europe

Russia may leave the WTO and WHO. In practice, it never really joined

Russia's parliament will consider leaving the World Trade Organisation, World Health Organisation and other international organisations which it feels have "neglected their obligations towards Russia".

UN special rapporteur issues damning indictment on human cost of sanctions in Iran

12-day fact-finding tour finds nation left exposed to “scarcity of resources to guarantee the basic needs of those most in need”.

Macron urges Sofia and Skopje to solve their dispute amid tensions in Europe

Pressure on Sofia to lift its veto and allow North Macedonia to start EU accession talks has increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine raised fears of destabilisation in the Western Balkans.

News

Belarus expands its use of the death penalty

Belarus has broadened the legal use of death by firing squad in order to further supress oppositional activity within the country, creating a further rift with the West and with the country's population.

Kyrgyzstan: Eccentric health minister fights for his job amid claims of corruption and bullying

That Beishenaliyev has held onto his job this long has much to do with his old friendship with the president.

Russia hopes Chinese carmakers will help revive Moskvitch brand

Moscow is reportedly in talks with Chinese carmakers in the hopes of obtaining parts and design expertise for the revival of the Soviet-era Moskvitch brand.

Amid sanctions, Kazakh firm stops supplying Russian steelworks

Kazakh companies are treading carefully doing business with Russia.

Romania hopes to unlock Black Sea natural gas projects with revised Offshore Law

The amendments have been expected for years to unlock several investment projects in the country’s Black Sea perimeters that could bring in 6 bcm of gas a year from 2027.

Belarus expands its use of the death penalty

7 hours ago

Kyrgyzstan: Eccentric health minister fights for his job amid claims of corruption and bullying

1 day ago

Russia hopes Chinese carmakers will help revive Moskvitch brand

1 day ago

Amid sanctions, Kazakh firm stops supplying Russian steelworks

2 days ago

Romania hopes to unlock Black Sea natural gas projects with revised Offshore Law

2 days ago

More News

Tech

Albania’s notorious ‘TikTok judge’ sacked

A media storm erupted in Albania when videos on Tik Tok showed Enkelejda Kapedani posing in designer clothes in her office and driving a BMW.

Hungary’s leading IT firm teams up with Rheinmetall to develop digital combat system solutions

JV with 4iG aims to develop digital combat system solutions as well as ground and flight simulation systems for the provision of the most modern soldier training.

‘Market disruptor’ TBC UZ makes digital bank inroads in Uzbekistan

The fintech is reporting eyecatching market growth figures.

Turkish scientists work on charging mobile phones using wearable organic solar cells

Small panels weaved on to a shirt or coat could mean never having to bother with a charger.

Travel tech company OYO acquires Croatia's Direct Booker

Acquisition to strengthen OYO Vacation Homes’ presence in the strategically important Croatian tourism market.

Albania’s notorious ‘TikTok judge’ sacked

2 days ago

Hungary’s leading IT firm teams up with Rheinmetall to develop digital combat system solutions

4 days ago

‘Market disruptor’ TBC UZ makes digital bank inroads in Uzbekistan

10 days ago

Turkish scientists work on charging mobile phones using wearable organic solar cells

11 days ago

Travel tech company OYO acquires Croatia's Direct Booker

11 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

COMMENT: Constanta concerns

Five questions on the minds of business leaders and policymakers in Romania.

Sberbank faces a meltdown from its vast commercial real estate loan book

Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, is facing a meltdown from the collapse in its commercial real estate loan book, which is estimated at RUB1.8 trillion ($28bn).

STOLYPIN: The sick man of Europe

Is Putin ill? Is Putin mad? Is Putin about to be toppled by a coup? The rumour mill is grinding on overtime, and although most of the lurid claims are implausible to say the least, they do remind us of Putin's absolute control over the system.

RIMMER: Turkey’s ‘Gandhi’ makes Erdogan ‘The Comeback Kid’

One last act of selflessness and devotion to his nation is required of Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. He must forgo the opportunity of taking on Turkey’s despot and allow someone with box office appeal to take his place.

NEMETHY: How will the war in Ukraine affect Emerging Markets?

We have all heard the adage that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon could affect the weather patterns on the other side of the planet. Might the war in Ukraine also have such unintended consequences?

COMMENT: Constanta concerns

9 days ago

Sberbank faces a meltdown from its vast commercial real estate loan book

11 days ago

STOLYPIN: The sick man of Europe

12 days ago

RIMMER: Turkey’s ‘Gandhi’ makes Erdogan ‘The Comeback Kid’

16 days ago

NEMETHY: How will the war in Ukraine affect Emerging Markets?

19 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Russia’s CBR reserves down $43.7bn since the start of the war

Russia’s gross international reserves (GIR) held by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) have fallen from $629.4bn on February 25 to $585.7bn as of May 13, a fall of $43.7bn according to the latest data released by the regulator.

Industrial inflation exceeds 25% y/y in Moldova

The industrial price inflation in April was the second-highest since last November when Gazprom began charging much higher prices under a new contract.

Romania’s construction companies post robust 6.5% growth in Q1

The volume of construction works in Romania increased by 6.5% y/y in the first quarter of 2022.

Russians trade TV news for social media as war-weariness sets in

Trust in TV news is declining among Russians, as social media news gains popularity. At the same time, Russian support for the war in Ukraine appears to be slipping, as does the belief that Russia is winning a global power struggle.

Net FDI in Bulgaria jumps four times y/y through March to €1.05bn

The new government's pledged to improve the economic and political environment has yielded results despite the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices.

Russia’s CBR reserves down $43.7bn since the start of the war

1 day ago

Industrial inflation exceeds 25% y/y in Moldova

1 day ago

Romania’s construction companies post robust 6.5% growth in Q1

1 day ago

Russians trade TV news for social media as war-weariness sets in

2 days ago

Net FDI in Bulgaria jumps four times y/y through March to €1.05bn

2 days ago

More Data

Features

Western sanctions block $16bn-$18bn worth of Belarusian exports

Belarus' prime minister said that Western sanctions had blocked almost all the country's exports to the EU and North America.

Turkmenistan: Car and beauty bans further erode women’s rights

Fresh prohibitions have crushed hopes that newly appointed 40-year-old president Serdar Berdimuhamedov would pursue a more enlightened path.

EBRD 2022: Reforms and privatisation to drive Uzbekistan’s mid-term growth

Uzbekistan's growth slowed in 2022, but if the pace of reforms continues to be as fast as in the last few years it is expected to rebound to around 10% a year once the current health and geopolitical crises are over.

After war victory, Azerbaijan keeps increasing military spending

This year it is spending more than 10% more than it did before its 2020 defeat of Armenia, and is planning to spend even more in coming years.

What's behind Belarus' latest troops movements along the border with Ukraine?

While Belarus' latest troop increases along the border with Ukraine have worried many, these actions should be seen in the light of Lukashenko's aim of de-escalating tensions with the West while showing loyalty to Putin.

Western sanctions block $16bn-$18bn worth of Belarusian exports

2 days ago

Turkmenistan: Car and beauty bans further erode women’s rights

3 days ago

EBRD 2022: Reforms and privatisation to drive Uzbekistan’s mid-term growth

5 days ago

After war victory, Azerbaijan keeps increasing military spending

8 days ago

What's behind Belarus' latest troops movements along the border with Ukraine?

8 days ago

More Features

Blogs

EBRD 2022: Russia and the war in Ukraine dominate the EBRD’s annual meeting

The three-month-old war in Ukraine dominated the agenda on the first day of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development meeting in Marrakech, the first in-person AM in three years.

ISTANBUL BLOG: With official inflation a hair’s breadth from 70%, Turkey is on the tail of Zimbabwe

Though academics who calculate inflation is actually 157% say it’s already far ahead of the rival basket case.

MOSCOW BLOG: Proxy war

Two big war developments: US President Joe Biden asked Congress to expand his mandate for presidential discretionary military spending to $33bn on April 28; German lawmakers approved a law that allows Germany to send heavy weapons (tanks) to Ukraine.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan’s cycles of economic madness now so ‘normal’ nobody utters a word

Regime treats Turkey like an economic guinea pig, say critics. Officials pushing all the buttons at the same time, attempting to avoid, but fuelling chaos.

BALKAN BLOG: What living without Russian gas would mean for Moldova

Gazprom cutting off gas supplies could trigger a chain of events leading to Moldova abandoning its neutrality.

EBRD 2022: Russia and the war in Ukraine dominate the EBRD’s annual meeting

10 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: With official inflation a hair’s breadth from 70%, Turkey is on the tail of Zimbabwe

15 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: Proxy war

22 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan’s cycles of economic madness now so ‘normal’ nobody utters a word

25 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: What living without Russian gas would mean for Moldova

29 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

bneGREEN: Fossil fuel closures needed to stand any chance of meeting 1.5°C target

Ending new oil, gas and coal developments is not enough to reach net zero by 2050, according to new research. Instead, already built fossil fuel projects must be decommissioned early if climate change is to be limited to 1.5°C.

bneGREEN: More proof that climate change threatens lives and causes economic damage

Human activity has caused irrevocable damage to the climate, causing hundreds of billions of dollars of economic damage and threatening water and food supplies to millions of people.

bneGREEN: Brussels puts €300bn price tag on ending Russian energy imports, but relies on new spending on gas

The European Commission has set 2027 as its target date for ending Russian energy imports, warning it would require €300bn of fresh investment and that new short-term spending on fossil fuel infrastructure would be needed.

bneGREEN: Serbia’s new era of digital agriculture

Digitisation of agriculture is already helping farmers to respond to climate change and raise production, according to the BioSense Institute in Serbia’s Novi Sad.

bneGREEN: Raising EU green targets will cost an extra €195bn

The European Commission is considering raising its renewable energy target for 2030 to 45% in new green plans to be published later in May.

bneGREEN: Fossil fuel closures needed to stand any chance of meeting 1.5°C target

1 day ago

bneGREEN: More proof that climate change threatens lives and causes economic damage

1 day ago

bneGREEN: Brussels puts €300bn price tag on ending Russian energy imports, but relies on new spending on gas

2 days ago

bneGREEN: Serbia’s new era of digital agriculture

5 days ago

bneGREEN: Raising EU green targets will cost an extra €195bn

7 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Belarus has broadened the legal use of death by firing squad in order to further supress oppositional activity within the country, creating a further rift with the West and with the country's population.

That Beishenaliyev has held onto his job this long has much to do with his old friendship with the president.

Moscow is reportedly in talks with Chinese carmakers in the hopes of obtaining parts and design expertise for the revival of the Soviet-era Moskvitch brand.

Kazakh companies are treading carefully doing business with Russia.

The amendments have been expected for years to unlock several investment projects in the country’s Black Sea perimeters that could bring in 6 bcm of gas a year from 2027.

Tech

A media storm erupted in Albania when videos on Tik Tok showed Enkelejda Kapedani posing in designer clothes in her office and driving a BMW.

JV with 4iG aims to develop digital combat system solutions as well as ground and flight simulation systems for the provision of the most modern soldier training.

The fintech is reporting eyecatching market growth figures.

Small panels weaved on to a shirt or coat could mean never having to bother with a charger.

Acquisition to strengthen OYO Vacation Homes’ presence in the strategically important Croatian tourism market.

Opinion

Five questions on the minds of business leaders and policymakers in Romania.

Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, is facing a meltdown from the collapse in its commercial real estate loan book, which is estimated at RUB1.8 trillion ($28bn).

Is Putin ill? Is Putin mad? Is Putin about to be toppled by a coup? The rumour mill is grinding on overtime, and although most of the lurid claims are implausible to say the least, they do remind us of Putin's absolute control over the system.

One last act of selflessness and devotion to his nation is required of Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. He must forgo the opportunity of taking on Turkey’s despot and allow someone with box office appeal to take his place.

We have all heard the adage that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon could affect the weather patterns on the other side of the planet. Might the war in Ukraine also have such unintended consequences?

Data

Russia’s gross international reserves (GIR) held by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) have fallen from $629.4bn on February 25 to $585.7bn as of May 13, a fall of $43.7bn according to the latest data released by the regulator.

The industrial price inflation in April was the second-highest since last November when Gazprom began charging much higher prices under a new contract.

The volume of construction works in Romania increased by 6.5% y/y in the first quarter of 2022.

Trust in TV news is declining among Russians, as social media news gains popularity. At the same time, Russian support for the war in Ukraine appears to be slipping, as does the belief that Russia is winning a global power struggle.

The new government's pledged to improve the economic and political environment has yielded results despite the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices.

Features

Belarus' prime minister said that Western sanctions had blocked almost all the country's exports to the EU and North America.

Fresh prohibitions have crushed hopes that newly appointed 40-year-old president Serdar Berdimuhamedov would pursue a more enlightened path.

Uzbekistan's growth slowed in 2022, but if the pace of reforms continues to be as fast as in the last few years it is expected to rebound to around 10% a year once the current health and geopolitical crises are over.

This year it is spending more than 10% more than it did before its 2020 defeat of Armenia, and is planning to spend even more in coming years.

While Belarus' latest troop increases along the border with Ukraine have worried many, these actions should be seen in the light of Lukashenko's aim of de-escalating tensions with the West while showing loyalty to Putin.

Blogs

The three-month-old war in Ukraine dominated the agenda on the first day of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development meeting in Marrakech, the first in-person AM in three years.

Though academics who calculate inflation is actually 157% say it’s already far ahead of the rival basket case.

Two big war developments: US President Joe Biden asked Congress to expand his mandate for presidential discretionary military spending to $33bn on April 28; German lawmakers approved a law that allows Germany to send heavy weapons (tanks) to Ukraine.

Regime treats Turkey like an economic guinea pig, say critics. Officials pushing all the buttons at the same time, attempting to avoid, but fuelling chaos.

Gazprom cutting off gas supplies could trigger a chain of events leading to Moldova abandoning its neutrality.

bneGREEN

Ending new oil, gas and coal developments is not enough to reach net zero by 2050, according to new research. Instead, already built fossil fuel projects must be decommissioned early if climate change is to be limited to 1.5°C.

Human activity has caused irrevocable damage to the climate, causing hundreds of billions of dollars of economic damage and threatening water and food supplies to millions of people.

The European Commission has set 2027 as its target date for ending Russian energy imports, warning it would require €300bn of fresh investment and that new short-term spending on fossil fuel infrastructure would be needed.

Digitisation of agriculture is already helping farmers to respond to climate change and raise production, according to the BioSense Institute in Serbia’s Novi Sad.

The European Commission is considering raising its renewable energy target for 2030 to 45% in new green plans to be published later in May.

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