Russia
Slovak PM Fico delays approval of EU’s sanctions package again, blaming Slovak opposition
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has again delayed approval of the latest 18th round of EU sanctions against Russia, blaming his latest blocking on the opposition parties in Slovakia.
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Russia’s consumer spending motor runs out of fuel
A number of indicators point to the stagnation of consumer spending in Russia, which for years has been the main driver of economic growth.
COMMENT: Kremlin goes on the offensive in the south by expanding former prime minister Kiriyenko's foreign policy powers
The Kremlin used to tread softly when exercising its influence in the countries along its southern border, but no more after by the powers of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s chief of staff Kiriyenko were expanded.
COMMENT: What will Trump’s Russian 100% secondary sanctions do to the oil markets?
US President Donald Trump announced on July 14 that the US could impose 100% secondary sanctions on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal in Ukraine is reached after a 50-days.
German Defence Minister Pistorius confirms transfer of two Patriot system to Ukraine, but warns could take “months”
Pistorius’ comments also confirm that new US-supplied military aid will not arrive in Ukraine soon.
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Russia’s inflation slows to 9.4% in June
Russian consumer prices rose 0.2% month on month and 9.4% year on year in June, in line with preliminary weekly data, according to the latest RosStat report.
Trump promises weapons, secondary sanctions on Russia if no deal in 50-days, but lots of questions remain open
US President Donald Trump announced that the US would supply Ukraine with billions of dollars of weapons “very soon”, including badly needed Patriot air defence missiles, and impose 100% secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Russia
COMMENT: In recognising Taliban, Moscow had one eye on rise in Afghanistan of terrorist ISIS-K
Concerns that the jihadist group is operating near borders with Central Asia “helped shift Russia’s strategic calculus”.
Slovak PM Fico expects deal with EU over sanctions against Russia on July 15, and threatens to continue blocking sanctions if none made.
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico expects an agreement between the European Union and Slovakia could be reached on Tuesday, July 15, over Slovakia lifting its veto of the EU’s 18th round of sanctions against Russia.
EC proposes floating Russian oil cap rate at 15% below global price
The European Commission has proposed a floating price cap on Russian crude oil set at 15% below the average global market price over the previous three months, European Union diplomats said on July 11.
Slovakia seeks EU guarantees on Russian gas phase-out ahead of sanctions deal
Slovakia is pushing for firm guarantees from the European Commission and key EU member states over the future of its energy security, as it links this condition to its support for a fresh round of sanctions on Russian gas imports.
Trump pledges first financial aid to Ukraine since he took over
President Donald Trump may sign off on the first new package of military funding for Ukraine of up to $3.8bn since taking office at the start of this year.
Lavrov visits North Korea to reaffirm security pact
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States, South Korea and Japan against forming a trilateral security alliance that explicitly targets North Korea, cautioning that such a move would inflame regional tensions.
Trump hits EU, Mexico with whopping 30% tariffs
US President Donald Trump escalated his trade war with Mexico and Europe by slapping whopping 30% tariffs on both, after neither of them managed to cut a new trade deal before the July 9 deadline.
MOSCOW BLOG: Europe reduced to making gestures in its support of Ukraine
US President Donald Trump announced that the US is withdrawing from supplying free military equipment to the Ukraine and from now on any weapons will be “100%” paid for by Kyiv’s European Nato allies.
Melting icecaps will cause more and bigger volcanic eruptions, study shows
As the weight of melting ice is lifted off volcanos, eruptions will become more common and more violent, according to a new study of volcanos in Chile’s Patagonia region.
Tipping Point: when populations peak – Statista
As July 11 marks World Population Day, celebrating the approximate date that the world's population reached 5bn in 1987, we're taking a closer at one of the population trends that will affect many countries sooner or later in the 21st Century.
Global warming may create a "permanent El Nino", changing the world's weather patterns
Scientists are warning that global warming is disrupting the natural rhythm of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), potentially creating the conditions for a “permanent El Niño”-like climate state, with significant weather consequences.
Russia proposes removing enriched uranium from Iran
Russia has proposed removing enriched uranium from Iran and communicated the offer to Iranian authorities, the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Trump says Ukraine's Nato allies to pick up arms bill from now on
US allies have agreed to pick up the bill for arming Ukraine from now on, US President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC News on July 11.