Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to significantly increase tariffs on imports from India due to its active trade in russian oil. He stated that India “is not only buying massive amounts of russian oil,” but also “is selling it on the open market for big profits”. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the russian war machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA,” Trump said.

The USA may impose sanctions on buyers of russian oil as early as this week if no agreement is reached to end the war. This was stated by the United States Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, who called  this  “the next obvious step” in an attempt to end the war.

He also pointed out that new reports will soon appear about the preparation of military aid packages for Ukraine from other countries under NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List mechanism. “The Dutch are just the first of many. You will see a whole series of announcements in the near future”, the Ambassador emphasized.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the Netherlands’ EUR 500 million military equipment package for Ukraine, which includes components and missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

“The Netherlands will provide a package of American weapons (including components for Patriot systems and missiles) worth EUR 500 million. This will help Ukraine defend itself and the rest of Europe from russia’s aggression,” said Minister of Defence of the Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans.

“We will act with maximum speed,” said Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus Grynkewich, regarding the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

“Norway, Sweden, and Denmark will finance one of the first military support packages for Ukraine as part of a new US initiative coordinated within NATO,” reads a statement by Norway’s Government.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine Alle Dorhout has stressed that his country is fulfilling its promise to support Ukraine in its fight against russia’s aggression for as long as necessary.

European Commission Spokesperson Anita Hipper has pointed out that the European Union welcomes pressure on russia from the administration of US President Donald Trump.

“Since none of the European countries has the same level of technological development and know-how as Ukraine, it is in our interests to support production and development in Ukraine so that, if necessary, we can use Ukrainian know-how and production capacities,” said member of the German Bundestag,  representative of  the Christian Democratic Union Roderich Kiesewetter.

Most voters for US President Donald Trump agree with the need for a tough  stance against russia due to its unwillingness to engage in serious peace talks in Ukraine. This is evidenced by a survey conducted by the sociological company TargetPoint on behalf of the non-partisan conservative organization The Vandenberg Coalition.

In July, the rf’s treasury received 787.3 billion rubles in taxes from oil and gas, by 28 % less than in the same month a year ago. The decline of about 30 % has been recorded for the third month in a row, and for the first seven months of 2025, oil and gas revenues decreased by 19 %, or 1.2 trillion rubles: the budget received 5.52 trillion rubles compared to 6.777 trillion in January-July last year.

In russia, the number of companies that closed exceeded the number of those that opened 1.5 times from January to June 2025. About 95,000 new legal entities were registered in the country, while almost 141,000 companies closed during the same period. The last time such a rapid increase in closures was observed three years ago, during sanctions and the withdrawal of foreign companies from the market. Most often, companies in trade, construction, and industry closed, which is a result of rising costs and declining demand.

In russia, in the first half of 2025, banks rejected about 80 % of citizens’ applications for credit holidays and debt restructuring. Despite the fact that the authorities have softened the criteria for receiving support, most applications remain unsatisfied. The reasons for the appeals are linked to the increase in the debt burden on the population and the rise in interest rates on loans, which makes it difficult to service debts. The refusal of banks to restructure loans could lead to an increase in bankruptcies and a deterioration in the financial situation of citizens.

In July 2025, the rf’s service sector shrank at its fastest pace since June last year amid a decline in new orders and low sales. The purchasing managers’ index for the russian service sector dropped to 48.6 in July from 49.2 in June. An index value below 50 points indicates a decline in business activity, while a value above 50 points indicates growth.

The average salary of russians in April was 99,400 rubles (the national average was 97,375 rubles). More than 100,000 rubles per month were earned by 9.09 million people, or 31.9 %. The other two-thirds, respectively, received salaries below the average.

In russia, 129 small towns with a population of 3.4 million people may disappear. Over the past ten years, the number of residents in those towns has fallen by 314,000. The northern coal, metallurgical, and timber industries, as well as those located on the outskirts of cities, are experiencing the greatest difficulties. The largest population declines were observed in the cities of Verkhny Tagil (Sverdlovsk region), Trubchevsk (Bryansk region), Inta (Komi), Kem and Medvezhyegorsk (Karelia), Torzhok (Tver region), Roshal (Moscow region), and Okha (Sakhalin region). Some settlements in Bryansk, Novgorod, and Kirov regions, as well as in the Krasnoyarsk Krai, are in the most vulnerable position.

From January to June 2025, 47,000 new premium brand cars were sold in russia. This is by 41 % fewer than in the same period in 2024.

For the third year in a row, sales of anxiolytics — medicines that reduce anxiety and fear — have been growing in russia. In the first six months of 2025, citizens purchased more than 9.3 million packages of such medicines, which is by 10 % more year-on-year.

russians have switched to fixed-price stores due to the sharp rise in prices for food and essential goods, as well as record increases in utility and housing tariffs. From July 1 to July 15, the turnover of such outlets increased by 71 % compared to the same period in 2024. Payments increased by 55 %, and the average check increased by 10 %. In general, 72 % of russians visit fixed-price stores, with 13 % doing so regularly. Almost half shop there more than once a month. 23 % of citizens go there regularly: once a week or more often.

The load on the Far Eastern Railway in January–July decreased by 4.6 % compared to the same period last year.

The volume of commercial real estate in moscow in 2026 may decrease to 76,000 square meters, which is by 70 % less than in 2025.

In July 2025, in St. Petersburg, apartment rental prices rose, while supply declined. The volume of rental housing decreased by 4.6 %. The median rental rate for all types of flats in the city was 51,000 rubles, which is by 8.5 % more than in June. Across russia, the average monthly rent in cities with a population of over one million reached 35,000 rubles, having increased by 2.4  %.

St. Petersburg has seen a decline in the development of the electric car market. Sales of new electric cars in the first quarter of 2025 decreased  by 71 %.

Belarus’ foreign trade turnover in January–June 2025 amounted to $41.1983 billion. Exports amounted to $19 billion 7.6 million. The negative balance was $3 billion 183.1 million (-$1 billion 739.4 million; an increase of 1.8 times).

The International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in belarus presented a study on “repentance videos” in the rb, a widespread practice used against those who are politically persecuted. Human rights activists legally classify these videos as a form of new institutionalized violence.

In July 2025, 64 cases of politically motivated repression – detentions, searches, etc. – were recorded in belarus. Since 2020, at least 8,519 people have faced criminal prosecution for political reasons, at least 7,190 people have been given politically motivated sentences, and 33 have been sent for compulsory psychiatric treatment.

On the eve of the anniversary of the 2020 elections, lukashenko’s security forces are threatening participants in protests abroad with criminal prosecution and seizure of property.

The list of printed publications banned from distribution in belarus has been expanded by 31 titles. The list includes a variety of works, from international bestsellers such as Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” and Chuck Palahniuk’s “Invisible” to novels by Ryu Murakami (“Topaz”, “Ecstasy”).

The Presidential Sports Club (PSC), headed by Dmitry Lukashenko (the dictator’s son), proposes to introduce a system for registering mobile phone IMEI numbers in belarus. With the introduction of the system in belarus, any phone imported into the country will have to undergo paid registration through a structure controlled by the PSC.