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

“We (the EU) are, of course, always ready to negotiate with russia. Currently, coordinated talks are taking place here in Abu Dhabi. If we can contribute to making these talks even better, even more successful, then we will do so. But we will not open any parallel channels of communication,” said Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz.

“russia continues to attack Ukraine day and night, so it is clear that they do not want peace. I believe that russia is only pretending to negotiate. They are not sending people with decision-making authority to these negotiations,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

Canada will provide Ukraine with a batch of AIM missiles for air defense systems.

Norway has agreed to a new contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund in the amount of EUR 86.4 million. The total amount of aid from the country already amounts to EUR 163.6 million.

The Netherlands is allocating EUR 23 million to support Ukraine’s energy sector.

Estonia has transferred 10 powerful generators to Ukraine. In a separate initiative, Estonians, non-governmental organizations, and companies in the country have raised EUR 408,000 for energy support to Ukraine, of which EUR 200,000 is for generators.

Minister of Finance of Lithuania Kristupas Vaitiekūnas has said that his country wants to attract more Ukrainian defense industry companies in advanced fields.

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Secretary of the Treasury of the United States Scott Bessent has warned that Washington’s decision to impose new sanctions against russia will depend on the progress of peace talks on Ukraine.

The EU Court of Justice rejected an appeal by russian state corporation VEB.rf, which demanded that sanctions against it be lifted. The Court confirmed that European measures against VEB are consistent with the objectives of the sanctions regime and that there is no evidence of their inconsistency.

The European Court of Justice has also confirmed the right of EU countries to confiscate cars imported from russia in violation of sanctions. According to the Court’s decision, cars subject to EU sanctions are not eligible for registration in EU countries and may be seized by the authorities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys has expressed hope that the upcoming 20th package of the European Union’s sanctions against russia will be “ambitious”.

Due to border incidents on the part of russia, the government of Estonia has made a decision in principle to close night traffic at the Luhamaa and Koidula border crossing points for three months starting February 24. The government has emphasized that closing the crossing points at night will allow more resources to be directed to border security.

The discount at which russian suppliers sell their oil to China has risen to record levels. Discounts on ESPO crude, delivered from the Pacific port of kozmino, has increased this week in Chinese ports to almost $9 per barrel relative to the Brent benchmark.

Overdue wage arrears in russia increased 2.3 times in 2025, having reached 2.077 billion rubles. In monetary terms, the increase in non-payments for the year – 1.134 billion rubles – was the highest since 2016. In relative terms (by 127%), the jump was unprecedented in 20 years of available statistics.

Inflation in russia at the end of this year will be higher than the 4% target. This was stated by the head of the russian union of industrialists and entrepreneurs aleksandr shokhin.

The sharp rise in prices in russia has forced young people to rethink their consumption habits and switch to a mode of saving. 56% of citizens under the age of 25 have decided to postpone buying new things until their old ones wear out or run out. Among russians aged 26–35, 51% are doing the same. In all age groups, approximately one in three people have reduced their spending. Most often, russians saved on clothing and footwear (55%), cosmetics and personal care products (44%), accessories and small electronics (39%), and decor and interior items (32%). Citizens also saved on toys and collectibles (28%), sports equipment (25%), books and stationery (23%). Another item of expenditure that fell victim to cuts was entertainment and leisure (21%). Besides, 26% of russians said they had started to ignore seasonal discounts and promotions.

russia’s regions ended the year 2025 with a total local budget deficit of 1.538 trillion rubles. Compared to last year, the “hole” in the budgets of the constituent entities increased fivefold, compared to 2023 – almost eightfold, and its total size became unprecedented in 20 years of available statistics.

In the next 2-3 years, about 10% of shopping centers in russia will close.

The russian forestry industry is paying a high price for the war against Ukraine and is on the verge of a systemic crisis which may take more than a year to overcome, according to a study by the institute of economics of the siberian branch of the russian academy of sciences.

russia’s stationery market declined by 2% in 2025 compared to 2024. Over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025, sales fell by 18%. The main reason for the decline in demand is the decrease in the russian population. The most significant impact is the reduction in the age group from 6 to 17– school-age children. This category is the main consumer of office supplies.

The rise in petrol prices in russia last year exceeded the inflation rate almost two times. This was particularly evident in the north caucasus and far east regions. At this, growth was significantly higher in some regions of the country. Prices increased by 24.2% in dagestan, by 23.4% – in the trans-baikal territory, and by 21.9% – in the altai republic.

In russia, smartphones and laptops are becoming more expensive before one’s very eyes. Experts say that the market may “break loose” in the spring. The main price fluctuations will occur in March and April. Smartphones will increase in price by 10-30%, laptops – by 20%, and gaming laptops – by 30-40%. Gradually, all the equipment will become more expensive, including household appliances. The overall increase in electronics prices by the end of 2026 may be between 30% and 60%.

There is no “spare money” in the federal budget to help one of the country’s largest developers, “samolet”, which has asked the government to provide 50 billion rubles in the form of a preferential loan, said member of the state duma’s budget committee viktor seliverstov. The budget is currently “not in a position” to support businesses, even those of systemic importance, confirmed deputy chair of the state duma committee on construction and housing and utilities svetlana razvorotneva. “Who died are dead, and they themselves are to blame”, said the mp. The “samolet” company is one of the systemically important organizations of the russian economy and ranks first in russia in terms of current construction volume.

“tatneft” withdrew from participation in the “Butadiene” project in Kazakhstan due to lack of funds. The plan envisaged the construction of a large petrochemical complex in the Atyrau region. The project was to be implemented as a joint venture, with “tatneft” holding a controlling stake of 75%.

The largest russian hotel chains have stopped working with the “yandex travel” aggregator. The decision is related to an increase in the service’s base commission to 17%.

Against the background of a personnel crisis in russia, the state duma plans to legalize making employees work while ill.

The ministry of internal affairs of the rf will allow state registration of cars stolen in “unfriendly” countries.

The federal penitentiary service of the rf has begun to take most of the money from transfers to prisoners as payment for their detention in prisons.

In 2025, the volume of vacant warehouse space in st. petersburg and leningrad region increased 2.5 times.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys has said that Lithuania’s position on belarus remains one of the toughest in the European Union. “Lithuania’s position on the European Union’s sanctions against the rb is clear and unchanged. With this position, I believe that we are one of the toughest countries in the EU. We believe that the sanctions should be extended,” he emphasized.

The WOSTRAU music festival will not take place in 2026 – the organizers have decided not to hold it. The reason for this is the entry into force of the belarusian council of ministers’ resolution, which prevents them from independently inviting foreign artists. Under the new rules, cultural and entertainment events can only be held by organizers listed in a special register.