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

The leaders of NATO member states have reached a joint decision that, in 2026–2027, the Alliance will provide Ukraine with military support totaling at least EUR 140 billion. “The allies emphasize that this support must be fair, predictable, and sustainable in the long term. For 2026, the allies commit to providing Ukraine with military equipment, assistance, and training worth EUR 70 billion and reaffirm their sovereign commitments to maintain at least an equivalent level in 2027,” the document states.

“The United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine will not waver. We know that British security and broader Euro-Atlantic security are inextricably linked to what is happening in Ukraine,” said Andy Burnham, the potential new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“I think Italy will continue to provide military aid to Ukraine. I believe the Minister of Defence is assessing the situation regarding this issue,” said Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.

The government of Norway has assured that it will continue to provide aid to Ukraine and has no intention of reducing its support.

“We would buy their (Ukrainian) drones. We make great drones, but they have an ability  to make a lot of them, which is amazing. It’s amazing that they’re manufacturing them in the midst of a war,” said US President Donald Trump.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense of Poland Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has emphasized that his country will cooperate with Ukraine on the production and maintenance of missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

“I believe we have a window of opportunity to continue applying pressure and send a clear signal to russia that we are ready to begin negotiations,” said President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, referring to a “window of opportunity” lasting two months to begin negotiations on ending russia’s war against Ukraine.

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The EU Council plans to approve additional sanctions against russia in response to its massive attacks on Ukraine.

Minister of Culture of Estonia Heidy Purga will propose that the European Commission halt funding for the International Olympic Committee in response to the temporary reinstatement of the russian olympic committee’s membership.

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has not made a decision regarding the return of russian teams and athletes to tournaments under its auspices.

Lithuania’s new government has pledged to maintain a tough stance toward russia.

russia’s federal budget deficit in the first half of 2026 amounted to 5.7 trillion rubles, or 2.5% of GDP. In the first half of last year, the deficit stood at 3.4 trillion rubles.

The Il-114-300 turboprop aircraft, intended to replace foreign aircraft on regional routes – including in russia’s Arctic region – was not permitted to fly outside the temperature range of –9 to +25 degrees, meaning it cannot operate in rain, extreme heat, or severe cold.

“kama”, which four years ago promised to ramp up production of 450,000 “atom” electric cars per year, has begun delaying payroll and laying off staff.

“yandex.market” intends to cut its annual budget sevenfold – from 14 billion to 2 billion rubles. Besides, the marketplace plans to reduce its workforce. This will affect up to 15% of employees.

Due to sanctions, the pasta manufacturer “barilla rus” has accumulated overdue debt of 1.6 billion rubles to the Italian company Barilla G.E.R. Fratelli and the French company Barilla France. Total accounts payable to related parties in 2025 rose by 37%, to nearly 2.5 billion rubles.

In russia, the operating cost of raw milk production has increased by 26.25% over the past three years.

By the end of 2025, 34% of offline mass-market clothing retailers had incurred losses. Last year, 40% of retailers reported losses. By comparison, in 2022, the share of such retailers stood at 18% for mass-market brands and 22% – for luxury brands.

russians have begun complaining en masse about schools refusing to admit children into 10th form in order to send them to vocational schools, amid putin’s demand to address the labor shortage at enterprises.

“Lithuania will not change its position on belarus unless minsk changes its policy,” stated Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys. “Lithuania’s interest in relations with belarus lies in ensuring security. belarus is a source of hybrid threats and various actions carried out against Lithuania.  As long as belarus continues them, Lithuania will maintain a strict policy and seek additional sanctions,” he said.

The Belarusian Helsinki Committee has published the National Human Rights Index for belarus based on the results of 2025. The overall index in 2025 stood at 2.4 points out of 10. The score has been declining annually since 2019. At this, the number of indicators that received the lowest rating – one point out of ten – increased nearly sixfold: from 6 in 2019 to 37 in 2025.

Chronicles of the Fuel Crisis

The rise in fuel prices in russia has accelerated again. During the week of June 30 through July 6, the average price of petrol across the country rose by another 2.1%, while diesel fuel rose by 3.4%. Cumulatively over the past 5 weeks, petrol has become by 8.9% more expensive – twice as much as over the previous 5 months combined (+4.58%).

The government of the rf is imposing a ban on diesel fuel exports from russia, following similar bans on petrol and jet fuel.

russian charitable foundations have had to reduce the amount of aid they provide due to the petrol shortage. These issues have affected palliative care patients, contribution of clothing, and animal welfare efforts.

Driving schools across russia have begun raising prices en masse due to the petrol crisis and are including wait times at filling stations in the cost of lessons. Schools are also warning of possible postponements or cancellations of practical driving lessons.

In astrakhan region, starting July 9, petrol sales will be restricted based on license plate numbers.

In mordovia, petrol will be sold based on the date and the last digit of the license plate number.

Advertisements for the sale of filling stations have appeared on the russian classifieds site “avito”.  Filling stations are for sale in tambov, voronezh, volgograd, saratov, samara, ulyanovsk, and penza regions.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has set up additional police checkpoints along the border to combat the illegal export of fuel.

In lipetsk region, hours-long queues are forming at filling stations due to a fuel shortage. This was stated by the region’s governor igor artamonov. He complained that oil companies had promised to increase supplies, but in reality, fuel remains in short supply.

Tourist boat trips on lake baikal have been restricted due to a fuel shortage. russian cruise companies have also faced rising prices at refueling stations: at the start of the season, fuel cost between 50,000 and 70,000 rubles per ton; now the price has reached 100,000–130,000 rubles per ton.

The russian marketplace “wildberries” has raised its rates for transporting goods from warehouse to warehouse. For this service, “wildberries” will add an additional percentage to its commission – based on the sales of all the seller’s goods, not just those that were moved.