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

Norway and the EU have signed an agreement worth over 400 million kroner (more than $45 million) aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience ahead of the winter season. The funds will be directed to the development of renewable energy sources, battery systems, and decentralized energy systems to make the power grid less vulnerable.

An IMF mission has begun meetings in Ukraine with authorities and partners as part of the first review of the Extended Fund Facility program.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna has said he sees a growing consensus within the EU regarding the joint accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union.

The European Commission is calling on Hungary and other EU member states to cancel the unilateral measures they have imposed banning imports of agricultural products from Ukraine.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has stated that drone incidents in the Baltic states are part of russia’s strategy aimed at destabilizing society. “But, just as on the battlefield in Ukraine, russia is being defeated. Just as before, when they used migrants as weapons and pushed them across the border, I once again want to pay tribute to the resilience of the peoples of the Baltic states,” emphasized von der Leyen.

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend until May 28, 2027, the sanctions mechanism against individuals responsible for human rights violations, repression against the population and the democratic opposition, as well as the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in the rf.

“Today, russia is not capable of launching a major offensive against NATO, and if it were preparing for one, we would see it – we have satellite intelligence. We saw the concentration of 100,000 soldiers around Ukraine, which had been building up for months,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski.

“This is yet another example of russia’s desperate reaction to our determination. Our determination to remain true to our values: human rights, a rules-based international order, and a just peace in Ukraine. This is a ‘smokescreen’ – one of the oldest tricks in russia’s arsenal,” – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia responded to russia’s statements regarding alleged oppression of russians in the Baltic states.

The European Union, France, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Norway summoned ambassadors of the rf over russia’s threats of new airstrikes on Kyiv. “The European External Action Service summoned the russian chargé d’affaires, calling on russia to stop hitting civilians and to engage in genuine peace talks starting with a full and unconditional ceasefire,” commented European Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

“Our Embassy continues to operate as usual in accordance with our security concept. We are not withdrawing staff or making any other changes to our personnel. Germany’s Embassy is here in Kyiv – standing with Ukraine,” reads the diplomatic mission’s statement in response to russia’s threats to intensify airstrikes on Kyiv.

Director of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the UK’s intelligence, cyber and security agency, Anne Keast-Butler has stated that russia is deliberately targeting critical infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, and public trust in the United Kingdom. “In the face of such aggression and chaos, GCHQ is working tirelessly with intelligence and defense partners to weaken and mitigate the russian threat,” she pointed out.

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The United Kingdom has imposed new sanctions against cryptocurrency networks used to circumvent British sanctions. This package of 18 sanctions directly targets russia’s illicit financial infrastructure, which is used to move funds, purchase goods, and support the war. “If the kremlin believes it can evade our sanctions by hiding behind cryptocurrency networks and shadow financial systems, it is deeply mistaken,” said Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper.

Finland plans to keep its border with russia closed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, has reported a surge in disinformation ahead of the referendum on negotiations with the EU. She has pointed out that the referendum risks becoming a target for russia and “actors seeking to negatively influence our public discussion”.

“putin categorically rejected all accusations of preparing for aggression and called them paranoid fabrications. The US President, European leaders – negotiations took place at the highest level. Attempts were made at all levels – and putin simply lied in all those conversations. Therefore, there is currently no basis of trust for a meaningful conversation with putin. And I can only strongly caution against pretending that such a basis exists,” said member of the Bundestag and the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s spokesperson on foreign policy Jürgen Hardt.

The cis executive committee has received Moldova’s statement on its withdrawal from the organization’s key agreements and initiated the relevant procedure.

Türkiye is giving up russian oil. The country is reducing imports of russian Urals crude from ports on the Baltic and Black Seas to their lowest level in nearly a year and a half. As a result, exports of Urals crude to Türkiye in May will drop to their lowest level since the beginning of 2025.

Head of Latvia's Autonomous Systems Competence Centre (ASCC) Major Modris Kairišs has announced that in the coming days, Latvia will deploy interceptor drone units along its eastern border, as well as towers equipped with remotely controlled automatic cannons.

By 2050, russia could fall short of its gas production targets by 450 billion cubic meters if incentives are not created for the development of hard-to-reach reserves. russia’s energy strategy through 2050 aims to reach a gas production level of 1.107 trillion cubic meters. In 2025, this figure stood at 663 billion cubic meters.

The ministry of digital technologies of the rf is expanding the list of data that telecommunications operators must provide to law enforcement agencies. Officials propose granting siloviki an access to passport data, user addresses, tax identification numbers, bank details, domains, logins, geotags, and IP addresses. To obtain access to such information, one will only need to send a request to a telecommunications operator or internet service provider.

In russia, the major clothing retailer “funday”, part of the “sportmaster” group, closed about 50 shops in 2025. Now, the chain has about 116 shops remaining in russia.

In russia, there has been talk of imposing a ban on the export of diesel fuel and kerosene from russia for all market participants.

Tighter regulations, rising capital expenditures, and an increased tax burden have led to a deterioration in the financial situation of most taxi fleets in russia. According to the survey results, 81% of market participants reported a decline in revenue, 90% – a drop in net profit, 60% – an increase in accounts payable, and 69% – an increase in the tax burden. “Today, the taxi industry is operating under the worst conditions in its entire history. We haven’t faced anything like this even during the pandemic,” commented chief of the Next taxi fleet yevgeny yermolayev.

russia’s market for the distribution of electronics and home appliances is experiencing one of the most severe periods of turbulence in recent years. According to estimates by market participants themselves, the market’s decline in 2025, in monetary terms, ranged from 20% to 35% depending on the segment. Distributors simultaneously faced rising costs for logistics, insurance, compliance, and financing, as well as declining demand from retailers and corporate clients.

Investment in russian real estate could drop to 800–900 billion rubles in 2026. This is by 15–25% less than expected for 2025.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen sees no grounds for lifting sanctions against belarusian fertilizers.

Latvia will deploy mobile teams to intercept drones along the border with belarus.

Lower interest rates and a weaker dollar have heated up the real estate market in belarus. Analysts see this as a warning sign: apartment prices are rising, but the number of transactions is steadily declining. Apartment sales have been falling for several years in a row because rising prices every month drive away buyers who can afford to purchase or trade in an apartment.