News
Missiles strikes on Crimea kill nine, as Ukraine breaks through Russia’s last line of defence in Zaporizhia
The Russian Defence Ministry reported on September 22 that a missile strike originating from Ukraine hit the Russian Crimean city of Sevastopol as Ukraine increasingly targets the disputed peninsula.
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Nagorno-Karabakh residents await their fate
Negotiations in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh are focused on security guarantees for the withdrawal of the Nagorno-Karabakh forces to Armenia and amnesties for its soldiers and leaders.
The UN condemns fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh but takes little action
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for an end to the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 21, but took few concrete steps that might help achieve that.
Russia approves first full wartime budget for 2024 with 1.7-fold increase in military spending
The Russian government has approved its first full wartime budget that will significantly increase military spending in 2024 as well as boost social spending to shelter the population from the effects of war and sanctions.
Ukraine's international supporters can now help the country fight Russia by buying local war bonds online
As part of a government drive to raise more money to pay for the war, Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance (MinFin) has made it possible for foreign individual investors to conveniently buy federal treasuring bonds (OVDP) with a click of a mouse.
Hungarian finance minister suggests raising bank levy to cover rising budget deficit
Central bank governor clashes with finance minister over who bears responsibility for the EU’s highest inflation.
Russia bans fuel exports as deliveries to military surge
Russia has temporarily banned the export of gasoline and diesel to all countries outside a group of four ex-Soviet states, aiming to stabilize its domestic fuel market, as supplies of diesel to the military surge.
Hungary indicates it will continue to block Sweden’s Nato ratification
Ruling Fidesz faction leader now uses "defamatory" film by Sweden’s public television as excuse for delaying Sweden's accession to Nato.
Rada adopts return of e-declaration law with Zelenskiy’s proposed changes
The Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed a second version of the e-declaration law to return the anti-corruption law that requires all public servants to declare their income and assets.
Turkey’s economic mess could prove too big even for assembled 'A-Team' to handle, warns veteran analyst
“Unwinding all the financial alchemy” put in place by predecessors a mammoth task and IMF “bazooka” might be required, says Timothy Ash.
Bulgaria to stop imports of Russian oil
Parliament votes to end imports despite exemption from EU-wide ban until end-2024.
Kyrgyzstan has ‘the balls’ to send Russia parts crucial to making tanks, trade data suggests
Analyst notes Chinese ball bearing exports to Central Asian country are up around 2,550%. Suggests many of the ‘dual-use’ goods are simply passed on to the Russian defence industry.
North Macedonia’s government accused of secret talks with fugitive opposition politician to squeeze through constitutional changes
VMRO-DPMNE leader claims government officials in contact with party’s disgraced ex-head Nikola Gruevski in an attempt to split the opposition and pass changes needed to unblock EU talks.
Slovakia, Romania and Poland move to settle grain dispute with Ukraine
Slovakia's and Romania’s farming ministers have agreed with Kyiv on a licensing system for trading in grains.
Poland says no plans for further weapons deliveries to Ukraine as grain row deepens
Poland has been one of Ukraine's closest allies against Russia's aggression, but relations have soured over Ukrainian grain imports, which Poland says are hurting its farmers.
Top Georgian central bank officials resign over unfreezing of assets of sanctioned former prosecutor
TBC and Bank of Georgia reaffirm their commitment to adhere to international sanctions imposed by the EU, the UK, and the U.S., regardless of the National Bank of Georgia's decision.
EU fears "malign influence" in Montenegro from Russia, China and Serbia
Report backed by MEPs says political instability has held up EU accession progress and created room for external actors to destabilise Montenegro.
Ukraine sues Poland, Slovakia, Hungary over grain ban, as first ship leaves port of Chornomorsk
Grappling with the Russian-made headache of how to get its grain to market, Kyiv filed a lawsuit at the World Trade Organisation as the first of two grain ships leaves the port of Chornomorsk.
Armenian separatists surrender in Karabakh
Ceasefire terms backed by Russia require enclave's rebel forces to disband and disarm following Azerbaijani offensive.
Iran and Russia unleash a contractual tsunami in several meetings
Iran and Russia are converging in sectors for the first time as both countries face off against the US and the West.