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

President of the European Council António Costa acknowledges that in the future the European Union may need to negotiate with russia security and peace in Ukraine.

“The priority is to finalize a EUR 90 billion loan package for Ukraine to support both,  its economy and defence. In December, we reached a consensus on this issue at the European Council, but now we need to finalize this package to give Ukrainians the predictability they need in the coming years,” said French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Addad.

European Commission’s Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho has stated that the issue of granting Ukraine a EUR 90 billion EU loan could be resolved even before the European Council meeting on March 19–20.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has reported that as of March 17, Ukraine has unofficially opened all six clusters in the EU accession negotiations. “At a time when Europe is under pressure from both the East and the West, we cannot afford to waste time. And we are not wasting it. All six clusters are now unofficially open,” Kos said.

During a meeting with Chancellor of the FRG Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten stated his intention to deepen cooperation with Germany in security and defense, as well as support for Ukraine.

“Our priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens. In this regard, we will continue to work with the parties concerned on alternative transit routes for non-russian crude oil to Central and Eastern European countries,” – reads a joint statement by President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen regarding the situation surrounding the “Druzhba” oil pipeline in Ukraine. The European Union has offered Ukraine financial and technical support to resume oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via “Druzhba”, and our country has agreed.

Sweden has allocated additional EUR 56 million to support Ukraine’s energy sector.

Lithuania has allocated EUR 10 million as a voluntary contribution to the Ukraine Facility program.

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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has pointed out that she does not see any willingness among member states to conclude energy agreements with russia. According to her, we must remain vigilant during negotiations and “not give russia what it wants, because its appetite will only grow.” Kallas Has also emphasized the efforts of partner countries to counter russia’s “shadow fleet”. “I welcome the efforts of France, Belgium, and Sweden to board and seize tankers flying false flags. The time has come to ‘take the gloves off’ regarding russia’s ‘shadow fleet’,” she emphasized.

“The wars in Iran and Ukraine are interconnected… russia will seize any opportunity to test NATO and weaken Ukraine,” said Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz.

Giving up oil and gas from russia is a fundamental position of the European Union, and the current crisis will not change it. “It is extremely important that we stick to this line – we in Europe cannot help indirectly finance russia’s brutal, illegal war,” stated European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen.

Container shipping between russia and the Gulf countries is on the verge of a halt. The situation is driven by rising prices for marine fuel and freight, as well as increased risks of drone and missile attacks in the region. In addition, insurance companies have suspended coverage for ships traveling not only through the Strait of Hormuz but also through the Gulf of Oman in the Indian Ocean.

The rate of Telegram blocking in russia has reached 80%.

One of the oldest players in the budget clothing market – the Modis chain – has initiated bankruptcy proceedings. As of today, of the 120 shops that were still operating in 2024, no more than 31 remain, while the brand’s official website is no longer functioning.

russia’s largest educational publishing house, “prosveshchenie”, plans massive staff cuts. By July–August of this year, at least 20% of the staff must leave the company as part of a reorganization.

As of September 1, 2025, there were 853 footwear manufacturers remaining in russia – the industry had shrunk by 13.5% within the year (minus 134 companies). The number of new entrants dropped sharply, while market exits accelerated – 120 companies closed, including major factories (Unichell, Francesco Donni). Against this background, footwear production in the country fell by 28% over the first eight months of 2025.

By mid-March, russian filling stations faced a decline in petrol sales profitability below last year’s level due to rising wholesale prices for petroleum products. Since early March, due to news of the conflict in the Middle East, petrol prices on the exchange have risen by 10.5%, and diesel fuel prices – by 14.4–16.1%.

In 2025, 41 films were produced in russia with state support, but only five paid off at the box office. At this, 88% incurred losses. This is by 10% higher than the 2024 figure, when 18 out of 23 films flopped at the box office.

The government of the rf has prepared a draft law to be submitted to the state duma that tightens migration policy. Its authors propose the mandatory deportation of foreigners for 20 types of offenses, including participation in unauthorized meetings, coercion to strike, and petty hooliganism for disobeying the police.

Psychological state of russians has deteriorated significantly. Financial anxiety and psychological distress have increased across all socioeconomic groups. Symptoms of depression or unmanageable anxiety have been reported by 42% and 27% of respondents, respectively. Severe anxiety and depressive symptoms are characteristic of 31% of russians.

In mid-March, russian patients in need of the hormonal medication Ziflucort found themselves unable to purchase it at pharmacies. The medicine disappeared from stock in the largest chains.

russia’s regions facing record budget deficits have begun suspending emergency housing resettlement programs. Residents of more than 10 regions have complained about this, including volgograd, novosibirsk, omsk, tyumen, yaroslavl, tula, leningrad, and ulyanovsk regions, as well as the krasnoyarsk territory, yakutia, and komi.

A state of emergency was announced in novosibirsk region following farmers’ protests over the mass confiscation of livestock.

Authorities of st. petersburg have announced the shutdown of mobile internet in the city “for security reasons”.

“Sanctions against the regime in belarus remain justified as long as it continues to imprison its critics and brutally suppress civil liberties,” said President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel.

While the decline in industrial production in belarus was only 1.8% for 2025 and 3.4% for January 2026, this figure had already reached 3.7% in the first two months of this year compared to the same period in 2025. The manufacturing sector is dragging down the main sector of the belarusian economy. In January–February, it fell by 7% compared to the first two months of 2025.

belarus’ major pasta producer, “rakan – krupyanoy dom”, has declared bankruptcy. The company had been operating in the belarusian market since 1998. The company traded in pasta, grains, oil, tomato paste, vinegar, and canned vegetables on a wholesale basis. The company’s total debt is above 2.6 million belarusian rubles.