News
Bulgaria’s ruling coalition divided over nomination for central bank governor
Bulgaria’s four-party ruling coalition is facing its biggest challenge since taking power after two of its members backed rival candidates to become the new central bank governor.
Moldova prepares for 'plan B' if Gazprom cuts supplies on May 1
Paying for electricity and gas at market prices could be the price of Moldova's independence, says Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu.
Latvian Harmony Party support collapses after Russian invasion of Ukraine
Harmony, Latvia's longtime largest party, which is backed by ethnic Russians, collapses to fourth place in March opinion poll.
Slovakia donates S-300 air defence system to Ukraine
Slovakia plans to replace the S-300 system with US-made Patriot systems operated by Nato allies, which are already arriving in the country.
Russians flock to Central Asia to open sanctions-busting bank accounts
Some 10,000 Russian citizens have received personal identification numbers in Kazakhstan since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Shock in Berlin after Soviet War Memorial vandalised
Unknown culprits vandalised the famous Soviet War Memorial in Berlin’s Treptower Park on April 7 with painted blood stains and political messages against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Tinkoff moves to ring-fence Russian business
TCS Group, the owner of Russian digital bank Tinkoff, is handing over governance of the Russian business to the bank's executive team.
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World's largest diamond miner Alrosa hit by US sanctions
The USA has added diamond producer Alrosa to its list of sanctioned entities, blocking the company off from American banks and preventing nationals from doing business with it. Diamonds are in the top 10 non-energy exports for Russia.
Czechia’s Presidential Office shredded another 32 intelligence reports
The irregular shredding of classified documents has raised suspicions that the president's close aides – who do not have security clearance – may have looked at the documents.
Russia suspended from the UN Human Rights Council
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council for “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights" in Ukraine on April 7.
Azerbaijan and Armenia aim to 'move quickly' towards a peace agreement after Brussels talks
Yerevan and Baku agree to create a joint border commission by the end of April to delimit and demarcate the border but do not discuss status of the Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh region.
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EBRD warns that 2022 results will be 'significantly affected' by Ukraine conflict
The EBRD made a record profit of €2.5bn in 2021 on the performance of equity investments and the reduction of expected credit losses.
Nato to send more, and possibly more powerful, weapons to Ukraine
Nato will strengthen its military support by sending more weapons to Ukraine, possibly including more powerful offensive weapons, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg suggested during a press conference on April 7.
Orban hints at windfall taxes on foreign retailers and further rifts with EU
Hungarian premier rules out austerity measures to narrow the budget gap, while saying he would break EU solidarity by paying for Russian oil in roubles.
Polish central bank surprises with massive 100bp interest rate hike
The reference interest rate is now at 4.5%, the highest level since late 2012, while the hike itself was the strongest since 1999.
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Russian opposition ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky dies of COVID
Russian firebrand ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky has died aged 75 after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).
Biden administration tells Congress potential sale of F-16 jets to Turkey in US national security interests
Ankara wants the aircraft given US block on F-35s sale in response to Turkish purchase of Russian missile systems.
Conflicting reports over Ukrainian troops surrendering in Mariupol
A video purportedly showing 267 members of the Ukrainian marines surrendering in Mariupol has gone viral on social media in the first alleged footage of a major Ukrainian surrender.
Russia on 30-day countdown to sovereign default
Russia’s Finance Ministry on April 6 said it was unable to process $649.2mn worth of coupon payments for 2042 Eurobond in US dollars as the transaction was declined by foreign banks.
US extends Russian sanctions to Sber, Alfa Bank, investment bans and Putin’s daughters
The White House has announced the extension of sanctions for Russia's military invasion of Ukraine on April 6 that will hit major banks and add top Russian politicians as well as Putin's daughters to the SDN lists.
