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

“I want this  EUR 90 billion loan to be finally approved, and I am convinced that it will happen. The question is not whether it will happen, but when,” said France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot regarding the EU loan to Ukraine. “But regardless of the outcome, I know that the European Commission will do everything necessary to ensure that, if the procedure is not completed by the end of April, Ukraine has access to the necessary funds.”

European Commission’s Spokesperson for economic affairs Balázs Újvári has  stated that the European Commission continues to prepare the supporting documents for granting Ukraine a EUR 90 billion loan.

The Ukraine Energy Support Fund expects to receive  EUR 12.5 million from Canada, EUR 10 million from the European Commission, EUR 5.4 million from Denmark, EUR 4.8 million from Germany, and  EUR 1.5 million from Croatia.

In March, Ukraine received totaling approximately 31 million hryvnias in humanitarian medical aid from its partners.

The Netherlands is allocating EUR 1 million to support Ukraine’s cultural sector through the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund.

Ukraine and Sweden have expressed interest in developing a strategic partnership in the field of cultural heritage protection. “Our cooperation is not only about helping Ukraine, but also about mutual learning. Sweden gains valuable experience from Ukraine’s resilience and its ability to maintain normal life, while Ukraine is ready to share its expertise in the cultural and civil spheres,” said Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Sweden Parisa Liljestrand.

In March, Ukraine increased its sunflower oil exports by 18% compared to the previous month.

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“An attack on one of our member states is an attack on the EU as a whole,” said European Commission Spokesperson Thomas Rignée regarding russia’s threats against the Baltic states.

Kazakhstan has refused to use the services of russian companies during the construction of thermal power plants in Semey, Kokshetau, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Kazakhstan decided to build the thermal power plant in Kokshetau on its own, while two others will be built by a Kazakh-Singaporean consortium involving the company “Samruk-Energo”.  The agreement on the construction of thermal power plants in Kazakhstan was signed in November 2023 during putin’s visit to the country.

According to head of the russian union of industrialists and entrepreneurs aleksandr shokhin, in  2026, fixed capital investment in russia may decline faster than the projected 0.5%,. He has stated that “if current trends continue”,  russia’s economic growth “will come to a standstill”.

The  government of the rf has opposed a ban on foreign real estate for officials and members of parliament.

Amid a sharp rise in prices for dental services in russia, sales of over-the-counter dental care products on marketplaces in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 63% compared to the same period last year.

Prices for pollock in russia rose by 34.6%.

“russian railways” will auction off a skyscraper in moscow–city to pay off its debts. “russian railways”’ total financial debt had grown to 3.8 trillion rubles by the end of 2025. Due to a rise in servicing costs to 534.1 billion rubles, as well as a decline in freight volume last year, “russian railways” saw a 22-fold decrease in its annual profit.  

The “m.video” chain of home appliance and electronics shops will close 20–30% of its locations in russia in 2026.

In 2025, the net loss of “dalpolimetall”,  one of russia’s largest lead producers, amounted to 7 billion rubles. This figure increased 6.4-fold compared to 2024 data. The company’s revenue fell by 23%, while operating expenses rose 2.5-fold.

Demand for coaches and HR specialists in russia fell by 43% in 2025. The competition index for job openings in the sector rose from 5 to 21.5 between June 2024 and December 2025, although a value above 12 is already considered critical.

The largest russian marketplaces – Wildberries and Ozon, as well as the retailer “vkusvill” – have begun restricting access to users with VPN services enabled.

In March alone, 87,000–90,000 head of livestock were culled in russia. The altai territory was hit hardest: there, approximately 77,000 animals were seized and slaughtered. In khakassia, over 4,000 cows, about 10,000 sheep and goats, and 500 pigs were culled. In novosibirsk region, losses exceeded 3,300 head; penza region and kalmykia lost nearly all their livestock – 428 and 225 head, respectively. russian officials do not acknowledge that there is a foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in russia.

In February, belarus’ trade deficit – the excess of imports over exports – rose to $888.3 million. In January, it was just over $200 million.

Population of the rb continues to decline. As of January 1, 2026, the country had a population of 9,056,080. Compared to  the year 2000, the population has decreased by 9%. belarus is among the group of countries with a sustained population decline. In terms of the rate of decline, the country ranks 169th  out of 183 countries included in the IMF’s ranking.

As of the end of March 2026, there were 911 political prisoners in belarusian detention facilities, including 118 women. At the same time, the number of former political prisoners stood at 3,660, and the total number of those imprisoned for political reasons since May 2020 was 4,570.

From 2020 through the end of March 2026, at least 2,020 NPOs – including associations, trade unions, foundations, non-governmental institutions, and associations – were dissolved in belarus.