Russia
Trump withdraws US from Paris Agreement
President Donald Trump wasted no time withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement merely hours after being sworn-in on January 20.
Putin and Xi reaffirm partnership just hours after Trump’s inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly reaffirmed their nations’ “no limits” partnership during a phone call on January 20, shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the US.
Russia and Armenia seek to ease strained relations
Foreign ministers meet in Moscow after Yerevan announced plans to join EU and signed strategic partnership with the US.
Bali shuts down "Russian Village"
The Gianyar Regency Government of Bali officially closed PARQ Ubud, also referred to as "The Russian Village," on January 20 for breaching local regulations.
Cocaine smuggling into Russia has risen TENFOLD since invasion of Ukraine
The volume of cocaine seized by Russian authorities has surged since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reflecting a significant shift in international smuggling routes and techniques.
COMMENT: Trump demands Europe import more US LNG, as the EU proposes banning Russian LNG completely. Neither will happen.
US President Donald Trump wants Europe to buy more US gas or face tariffs, and ten EU member states have again called for an end to all Russian imports. Neither of these things are going to happen. Europe remains hooked on Russian gas.
Russia’s 2024 harvest comes in below expectations on bad weather and supply chain woes
Russia’s agricultural harvest came in below expectations in 2024, due to poor weather conditions and supply chain problems, reports the Bank of Finland institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
Saving the Caspian Sea for Central Asia and Kazakhstan
The Caspian Sea has long been a cornerstone of life for Central Asia, especially for Kazakhstan, where it plays a critical role in supporting local economies, biodiversity and communities.
Putin congratulates Trump, signals hope for improved US-Russia relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States, expressing hope for a more constructive relationship than with the outgoing administration led by Joe Biden.
The world reacts to Trump 2.0
Donald Trump's return to the White House has drawn sharply contrasting reactions worldwide, with traditional US allies expressing deep concern while rivals and emerging powers show marked optimism, according to a major new survey.
Antidepressant sales in Russia hit record high amidst growing war stress
Sales of antidepressants in Russia soared to an unprecedented 16.1mn packages from January to November 2024, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%, according to data from DSM Group.
COMMENT: No, Russia is not facing a banking crisis
No, Russia is not on the cusp of a banking credit crisis. That was the conclusion of a paper by Alexandra Prokopenko, a political economy analyst.
Iran seeks to expand nuclear power cooperation with Russia's Rosatom
Iran has expressed interest in building a new nuclear power plant in cooperation with Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, the company's CEO Alexei Likhachev said.
Moldovagaz’s head says $709mn debt to Gazprom close to being settled
Gazprom cited a $709mn outstanding debt when it cut gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, but Chisinau says the debt is only $8.7mn.
War in Ukraine started as punishment for masturbation, says Russian Orthodox Church
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was caused by societal moral decay, including a widespread indulgence in sinful behaviour such as masturbation, a senior figure in the Russian Orthodox Church has claimed.
Russia reports successful strikes against critical Ukrainian gas and energy infrastructure
Russia’s armed forces conducted a co-ordinated strike on critical gas and energy infrastructure in Ukraine using high-precision weapons and drones.
COMMENT: With Trump back in the White House, Europe may need to turn to Turkey to strengthen its security
Analyst suggests EU cannot hope to deter Russia effectively without closer cooperation with Ankara.
Love in the Baltics in a time of war
The human twists of the war in Ukraine are gut-wrenching. For Lithuanian Aleksej Zanemanski it is an uphill battle for the right to live with his wife he loves unconditionally but who happens to be Russian.
UPDATED: Iran, Russia sign long-awaited strategic partnership deal
Presidents of Iran and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal during a meeting in Moscow on January 17, marking a new era of cooperation.
VTB aims to open first Russian bank in Iran by end of 2025
Russia's second-largest bank VTB plans to open a bank in Iran by the end of 2025, pending approval from Iranian regulators.