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Webinar & Podcast: Whither Ukraine in 2021?
Without an IMF deal can Ukraine get through 2021 without a crisis? With $11bn of debt to pay in debt redemption but only $26bn in reserves, Ukraine is headed for a crisis unless it can kiss and make up with the IMF.
Von der Leyen tells Poland and Hungary to contest rule of law link to EU money in court
Warsaw and Budapest are blocking the adoption of the EU’s €1.8 trillion budget for 2021-2027, including the €750bn recovery plan to reinvigorate the bloc’s economy after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Constitutional Court defers decision on Romania's budget-busting 40% pension hike
Scaling back the pension hike is a prerequisite for avoiding a sovereign downgrade.
MEPs urge European Commission to act against Hungarian media financing in North Macedonia and Slovenia
MEPs suspect “gross interference” in democratic process in North Macedonia by Hungarian companies close to PM Viktor Orban’s inner circle.
Turkey starts releasing virus data that includes symptom free cases
Move comes out of the blue—and shows a daily case total more than twice as high as Iran’s.
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Ukraine strikes deal with Turkey to produce killer drones instrumental in Karabakh conflict
Production might possibly be complicated by parts export ban introduced by Canada.
Bulgaria imposes 3-week lockdown to slow down COVID-19 spread
The decision comes after weeks of high numbers of new cases putting intense pressure on hospitals. Many Bulgarians believe it comes too late.
Accusations fly as a new coronavirus vaccine candidate enters the race for the $100bn market
Another vaccine has entered the race to cure the world of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but unlike the US version, when AstraZeneca announced its successful preliminary trial results its share price crashed as a result.
Turkey to scrap asset ratio slapped on banks year ago
Erdogan administration has launched a ‘market friendly’ period in attempt at stopping the rot of lira depreciation, but currency has been back under pressure this week despite chunky rate hike.
Turkey’s 10-year eurobond in market with final cost expectation of 6.10%
Bankers speculate that $2.5bn worth may be sold.
Tehran says foreign companies ‘in touch to explore Iran return in Biden era’
Tony Blinken, nominated by US president-elect to serve as his secretary of state, is an outspoken proponent of the nuclear deal. If Washington rejoins the accord, heavy sanctions on the Iranians would be lifted.
Poland announces new strategy to contain COVID-19
“100 days of solidarity” plan assumes retail will reopen under a strict sanitary regime ahead of Christmas, but government urges Poles to avoid holiday travel.
George Clooney says Hungarian government lied about his connections to Soros
Hungarian government likely to come off poorly from clash with Hollywood actor that puts the international spotlight on its politics.
Putin increases personal income tax for the first time in two decades
Russian President Vladimir Putin hiked personal income taxes from their flat 13% for the first time in two decades with a decree signed on November 22.
Belarus hits EU with tit-for-tat sanctions
The Belarusian government hit the EU and a number of European countries with tit-for-tat sanctions on November 22 and suspended all dialogue with the EU on human rights, according to the Belarusian Foreign Minister, Vladimir Makei.
Turkey seen as attracting $4bn via USD-TRY swaps during one week
Changed limits on provision of dollars to London at spot for lira woos portfolio inflows, but foreign players can at any time use their lira to short the currency.
Bulgaria to impose lockdown to slow down coronavirus spread
The country ranked first in terms of the share of people who have died from coronavirus in Europe and the number of new cases remains high, above 4,000 per day.
Mongolia fears economic damage as country faces up to its first local transmissions of coronavirus
Disease thought to have travelled from north to south of country after railway officials disregarded prevention rules.
Romania gets approval from EC for $8bn nuclear plant expansion
Project to include construction of Units 3 and 4 at the Cernavoda power plant and refurbishment of Unit 1.
Rosatom's €12.5bn nuclear plant expansion in Hungary moves forward
Hungary's energy regulator MEKH issued an electricity implementation licence for the construction of two new blocks at the Paks nuclear power plant in a fast-track procedure.