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

The European Union has officially informed the Council of Europe of its intention to join the agreement on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of russia’s Aggression against Ukraine. Switzerland has also announced its readiness to accede to the agreement.

During the European Council’s meeting on June 18–19 in Brussels, European Union leaders will discuss, among other things, the prospects for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, a new, 21st package of EU sanctions against russia, and negotiations on peace in Ukraine.

Following the latest russia’s attacks, British Defense Secretary John Healey has ordered the acceleration of air defense supplies to Ukraine.

“By bombing the civilian population, russia is demonstrating not so much its strength as its weakness: it lacks military solutions and does not know how to end its war of aggression,” emphasized President of France Emmanuel Macron.

Hungary summoned the russian ambassador for the first time over russia’s attack on Zakarpattia region. “The government strongly condemns the russian attack on Zakarpattia,” stated Prime Minister Péter Magyar.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna has stated that the drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles launched at Kyiv once again confirm that kremlin leader putin seeks to continue the war and destroy Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Juraj Blanár has condemned the russian strikes on Ukraine.

President of Moldova Maia Sandu, reacting to russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine, has called for maintaining pressure on moscow.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda has stated that there is no point in engaging in dialogue with russia until it demonstrates a willingness to end the full-scale war in Ukraine.

Following russia’s massive missile and UAV attack on Ukraine, the NATO Mission in Ukraine expressed solidarity and pledged to continue its support.

Ministry of Transport of Latvia has drafted amendments that will ban all passenger bus services to russia and belarus, as well as transit services through the country’s territory.

According to the government’s updated forecast, the russian economy’s lagging behind the global economy will only grow by the end of the 2020s.

Oil production in russia in April amounted to only 8.83 million barrels per day – by 130,000 fewer than in March and by 460,000 fewer than in April 2025. russia has not been producing this little since May–July 2020.

russians have been urged to prepare for another tax hike due to the budget deficit.

The federal tax service of the rf has stepped up audits of small businesses following the budget deficit’s rise to 6 trillion rubles.

In January–April, purchase prices for seafood in russia have increased by approximately 40%.

In russia, Avon Beauty Products Company’s revenue for 2025 fell to 7.16 billion rubles – a 24.8% decrease from 2024. The company’s net profit for the same period fell to 99.94 million rubles, compared to 149.75 million rubles a year earlier.

The share of counterfeit components for foreign infrastructure equipment in russia is estimated at 18%, and in some categories it has already reached 80%.

Sales of new russian road construction equipment on the domestic market in the first quarter fell by 51.3% compared to the same period last year.

In order to save budget funds, russia may begin mass construction of concrete highways, as was done in the ussr until 1980.

russia’s authorities have not found funds in the budget to complete the construction of the new nuclear icebreakers “leningrad” and “stalingrad,” as well as the support vessel for them.

The ministry of industry and trade of the rf has decided to limit funding for development of medications amid a growing budget deficit.

Most russians have run out of money for vacations on the eve of the start of the holiday season.

At least 66 reports have been filed against russians on charges of displaying “extremist symbols” associated with the non-existent “International satanist movement”.

The number of prisoners in russia has fallen below 300,000. The head of the federal penitentiary service has attributed this to the recruitment of contract soldiers for the war against Ukraine.

chairman of the state duma of the rf vyacheslav volodin has stated that russian relocants who supported Ukraine will have to face trial upon their return.

russian video services and online cinemas will be able to stream Disney films only until the end of 2026. After that, the current licensing contracts will expire, and the American studio does not plan to sign new ones.

In 2025, tax payments and other duties in kaliningrad region increased by 37.6% compared to 2024.

The net profit of belarusian enterprises fell by 7.5% in the first quarter. A total of 2,244 organizations are operating at a loss, which is by 34.8% more than during the same period last year. Debt on credits and loans has risen by 1.9% since the beginning of the year.

In the first quarter of 2026, 14,916 migrant workers arrived in belarus. Nearly half of them – 6,915 people – came from Turkmenistan.

For the third consecutive year, belarus has seen a sharp rise in its aging index. This year, it has reached 120.2%. This means that in the country there are now significantly more people over the age of 65 than children under the age of 15.

lukashenko’s image in Western media is predominantly “negative”. Negative assessments account for 72%, while positive ones are practically nonexistent (0.6%).

In minsk’s secondary housing market, the number of flats listed for sale is gradually decreasing, while prices are constantly rising. Over the past year, supply has fallen by nearly a third, while the average price per square meter has risen by almost the same 30%.