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

“This, of course, means commitment and genuine readiness on the part of those who promise to support Ukraine in case of a renewed attack by russia,” – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the FRG Johann Wadephul stressed the importance of reliable Western security guarantees for Ukraine, first of all from the USA.

“Despite the efforts of the Americans, Europeans, and Ukrainians to achieve a truce, there are no signs from moscow that putin is interested in ending the war,” said Minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius.

“During the holiday season, which should bring people together in celebration, reflection, and goodwill, russia continues to escalate its attacks against Ukraine, striking energy infrastructure and deliberately endangering innocent civilians who are simply trying to spend time with their families. These crimes will not go unanswered,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna.

First Deputy Spokesperson of the Federal Government of Germany Steffen Meyer has said that his country’s government continues to adhere to the position that peace under duress is unacceptable for Ukraine.

Estonia’s Ministry of Climate will allocate EUR 2 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to help restore energy infrastructure.

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The price of russia’s flagship Urals crude oil declined to around $34 per barrel amid US sanctions against moscow. On Friday, December 19, the price of Urals delivered via the Baltic Sea decreased to $34.82 per barrel, and via Black Sea ports – to $33.17. For comparison, Brent crude oil with fixed delivery, which is a benchmark for the global market, traded at around $61 per barrel.

The collapse in russian oil prices following US sanctions against “Rosneft” and “Lukoil” has hit the finances of oil companies, which have already seen their profits fall 2-3 times this year. Prices of around $40 per barrel of Urals are barely enough to cover the costs of extracting oil from wells and transporting it to port.

Brazil, which had become a major buyer of russian diesel fuel rejected by customers in Europe, sharply reduced imports after the US sanctions against “Rosneft” and “Lukoil”. In November, diesel supplies from russia to the Brazilian market decreased to their lowest level since March 2023 – 187,000 tons. Compared to the first half of this year, volumes have shrunk 3.5 times.

Steel production in russia in November 2025 decreased by 6.6 % compared to the same period in 2024.

russia does not have the money to build the planned 1,500 civilian ships by 2035. The high cost remains the main problem. According to experts, it is 2.5–3 times higher in russia than in China.

In almost half of russian companies, wage growth over the past year has been lower than inflation, or payments have not increased.

A third of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the rf do not rule out closing their businesses within six months.

Many russians have stopped feeling the growth of their wages and incomes, as well as the slowdown in inflation. At the end of November, they began to assess their financial situation more negatively. Only 8 % of respondents reported an improvement. At this, the proportion of those who believe that their financial situation has deteriorated over the past 2–3 months has risen to its highest level since 2022: in August, it was 20 %, now it is 25 %. The difference between those who feel they have become poorer and those who feel they have become richer (17 %) is also the largest since 2022.

Banks of the rf have become more reluctant to issue loans for goods purchased in shops. Express loans, which consumers can take out when shopping at retail outlets, known as POS loans, are only approved for one in ten customers. In November, the proportion of refusals for such products reached its highest level for the year and approached 90 %.

Almost a third of all loans (29 %) issued in the rf in 2025 were issued in the last quarter. This is the highest figure for the whole year. russians named refinancing existing debts as the most popular reason for taking out a new loan at the end of the year, with 25 % of respondents giving this answer. The second most common reason was home repairs (19 %), and the third was buying a car (14 %). Only 11 % of respondents planned to spend loans on holiday needs, including gifts.

In russia, the option of “paying in installments” when buying New Year’s gifts has grown in popularity. 31 % of respondents plan to use installment services, while only 18 % prefer credit cards. Last year, the opposite trend was observed.

russian pawnshops received 9.6 billion rubles in net profit in January–September. This is by 54 % more than a year ago.

From the beginning of 2026, russian mobile subscribers will see an increase in the cost of services under current tariff plans. The expected increase in prices for communication services is within the range of 8–10 %. It should be noted that prices already rose by 10–12 % in 2025.

The rf’s tourism industry will need about 300,000 professionals by 2030. The average shortage of personnel in the sector is estimated at 30 %.

Sheremetyevo International Airport plans to increase its basic fees for servicing russian airlines by 10 % from January 1, 2026. The airport is also raising service fees for foreign airlines by an average of 3 %.

Authorities of the rf have proposed lifting the ban on changing the boundaries of specially protected natural areas. The draft law to this effect has been submitted to the state duma by the government. The amendments allow for a reduction in the area of protected territories.

The share of russians who believe it is necessary to continue the war against Ukraine decreased to 25 % in December. At the same time, two-thirds of those surveyed are in favor of switching to peace talks.

WhatsApp may be blocked in russia by the end of the year. roskomnadzor has acknowledged that it continues to restrict the work  of the messenger due to non-compliance with legal requirements. WhatsApp remains the most popular in the country: in the summer of 2025, the number of its unique users reached 97 million.

Swedish author Fredrik Backman’s trilogy “Beartown” has been banned from being sold in bookshops in the rf.

In 2026, at least 40,000 migrant workers from India will arrive in russia. Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov has said that russia is capable of accepting an “unlimited number” of migrants from India, noting that the manufacturing industry alone needs at least 800,000 workers, while  trade needs 1.5 million. Businesses are also preparing to attract workers from Nepal, Vietnam, and Bangladesh.

Tatarstan has a systemic labor shortage that cannot be covered solely by attracting migrant workers. This was announced by head of the Republic of Tatarstan  Rustam Minnikhanov. In particular, there is an acute problem with personnel in medicine and education.

In the Republic of Altai, the ban on foreign citizens with work permits has been expanded. Migrants will be prohibited from selling fireworks and working in food delivery.

The number of children under 1 year of age in Pskov region has almost halved in just seven years. While in 2018 there were 13,197 children under 1 year of age in the region, by 2025 their number decreased  to 7,940, i.e. by 40 %.

The Parliament of the Republic of Sakha has passed a law in its final reading that abolishes direct elections of heads of districts of the Republic and urban districts. District heads will be appointed on the recommendation of the head of the Republic, who will propose candidates, and the councils of MPs will approve them. In the 2025 regional elections, “United russia” lost four municipal campaigns at once.

A moscow court explained the $850 compensation for the brutal beating of a teenager by police officers as a “balance of interests of the federal budget”.

The occupying authorities in Crimea have announced restrictions on mobile internet until the end of the war against Ukraine and called on residents to “just accept it”

Poland is deploying an anti-drone system on the border with belarus. A radar has been installed on the observation tower. Later, radars will be installed on four other structures. The system will detect, locate, and track objects approaching from the east.

lukashenko has tasked the security forces with “preventing any moves towards a ‘revolutionary’ struggle against the existing state system (regime)”. In his view, the “true” and only human rights in belarus are the rights to work and to a salary.