Tag: RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Japan to explore economic collaboration, emphasizing the need to reduce reliance on single markets following lessons learned from Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 pandemic. Both nations aim to strengthen economic security through diversified international partnerships.

Brent crude prices expected to remain flat around $80/barrel in first half of 2023, with potential recovery to $85-$90 in second half. Increased demand from India and China may offset Western restrictions on Russian oil supply, driven by shifting global energy landscapes.

Ukrainian forces are bracing for renewed Russian ground assaults in eastern Ukraine, with heavy fighting reported in Bakhmut and surrounding regions. The Ukrainian military reports successfully resisting attacks in multiple areas, including Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk, as tensions mount ahead of the first anniversary of the invasion.

The European Union and G7 allies have banned Russian diesel and refined oil products, aiming to reduce Moscow's energy income without disrupting global markets. The move targets Russia's military funding while preserving diesel supplies for critical economic sectors like transportation and agriculture.

European Union representatives arrived in Kyiv as rescue workers searched through debris from a Russian missile attack on an apartment complex in Kramatorsk, marking nearly a year since the invasion began. The attack resulted in at least three deaths and around 20 injuries.

The Biden administration warns that Russia's refusal to resume on-site nuclear treaty inspections endangers the New START pact and bilateral arms control efforts, marking a significant breakdown in diplomatic relations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has dispatched teams to monitor Ukraine's nuclear plants, including Zaporizhzhia and Chernobyl, to ensure safety during the ongoing war. With at least 11 staff members deployed, this represents an unprecedented level of on-site monitoring.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last week, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm Washington's support. Burns has previously briefed Zelenskyy on intelligence about Russian war preparations, highlighting ongoing high-level communication between the U.S. and Ukraine during the conflict.

NATO will send three AWACS surveillance aircraft to Romania next week to conduct reconnaissance and monitor Russian military movements. The planes, capable of detecting aircraft hundreds of kilometers away, will be stationed near Bucharest as part of the alliance's defensive strategy.

The European Union is considering substantial subsidies to compete with US green technology investments, but smaller member states like Sweden warn that larger countries like Germany and France might disproportionately benefit, potentially threatening the EU's single market principles.