Russia
COMMENT: Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian refineries have probably reduced throughput by 30.4%, less than headline figures suggest
Ukraine has been hitting Russian refineries and caused a fuel crisis that has spead across multiple regions. The headline figure is that oil refining has been reduced by 38% since August, but digging into it and the reduction is likely less.
Putin pushes Central Asia for North-South trade corridor steps, analyst notes Kremlin’s “Turkic bloc” anxiety
To Moscow, “the fact that the Turks are united is alarming,” he says.
MACRO ADVISORY: The unintended consequences of Western sanctions
Since 2014, Western nations have hit Russia with a total of 26,655 sanctions (to mid-September 2025), with 23,960 coming after February 2022. The largest target group, with 13,611 sanctions, is state officials, business owners, and oligarchs.
Saudia launches flights from Riyadh to Moscow in boost for Russian tourism
Saudi Arabia's Saudia launches Riyadh-Moscow flights on October 10, joining budget carrier Flynas as Russia welcomed 52,400 Saudi tourists in 2024, five times previous year's level.
Baku touts reset in ties after Azerbaijan’s president Aliyev meets Putin in Dushanbe
Russian president detailed causes of Azerbaijan Airlines plane downing over Russian airspace at one-on-one meeting.
Putin calls for Central Asia to boost trade with Russia
With Moscow preoccupied by Ukraine, China has raced ahead in building up commerce and investment with the region. Other powers are also looking for bigger pieces of the pie.
US sanctions on Serbian oil company NIS take effect
Sanctions imposed by the United States on Serbia’s sole oil refiner, NIS, took effect on October 9, ending months of postponements and raising fears of fuel shortages and wider economic disruption.
The only way to stop Russia is by force, Poland’s Foreign Minister Sikorski argues
Moscow will not negotiate in good faith until it faces clear limits on its military and economic options, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski argued in an essay published by the New York Times.
Putin arrives in Tajikistan for meetings with Central Asia, CIS leaders
Calls made for Tajiks to arrest Russian leader under international court warrant, but Dushanbe remains strategic ally of Kremlin.
Poland and Baltic states deride former German chancellor Merkel for Ukraine war comments
Angela Merkel’s comments on Eastern European resistance to her diplomatic overtures towards Moscow before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered strong reactions in Poland and the Baltic states.
Russia struggles to restore gas payments to Moldova’s separatist Transnistria region
Russia is seeking a new intermediary to facilitate payments for natural gas deliveries to Transnistria after European banks reportedly blocked financial transfers routed through Dubai.
Kremlin resists Tomahawk transfers as Ukraine seeks long-range strike capability
Institute for the Study of War says Kremlin is fearful that expanded long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine would erode the sanctuary Russia currently enjoys in its rear.
EU nears decision on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine as divisions persist on new sanctions
Ukraine's allies warn that interest earnings from the frozen funds will not be enough to sustain its economy if the war continues into 2027.
Afghanistan tightens control over Russian, Belarusian agents claims Ukrainian Intelligence
Afghanistan's Taliban-led government is intensifying efforts to monitor and restrict the activities of Russian and Belarusian operatives within its borders, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service.
Ukraine general alleges Russia employs 20,000 North Koreans in military production
North Korea has long been among Russia’s more controversial allies in the war against Ukraine, supplying artillery, missiles and troops. In late 2024, Pyongyang reportedly deployed 11,000 to 12,000 troops to aid Russia.
Russia’s oil and gas revenues fall 25% in September, deficit seen rising
Moscow faces fiscal pressures as it grapples with declining energy income and rising spending.
LONG READ: Trade is the glue that holds Global Emerging Markets Institutions together
The world order is changing. The emerging markets are coming of age and they are setting up a raft of largely non-Western Global Emerging Markets Institutions (GEMIs) to coordinate their lives. Trade is the glue that binds them together.
Putin accuses Europe of blocking Ukraine peace and calls Nato a ‘paper tiger’
At Valdai Discussion Club, Russian president also accuses Ukraine of endangering the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and threatens retaliation against Ukrainian reactors.
Ukraine cuts ties with Nicaragua over occupied territories recognition
Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with Nicaragua after the Central American nation formally recognised Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories.
US reportedly to share intelligence with Ukraine for long-range strikes on Russian energy sites
US to provide Ukraine with intelligence support for long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as Trump shifts stance, with Tomahawk missiles under consideration.