April 14, 2025 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

“The civilized world must use force to stop these barbarians who are killing civilians and children,” said President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda after the russian missile attack on Sumy on April 13.

“russia continues its campaign of violence, showing once again that this war exists and endures only because russia chooses so” President of the European Council Antonio Costa reacted to the morning attack on the center of Sumy.

EU Diplomacy Chief Kaja Kallas wrote: “Heartbreaking scenes from Sumy this morning as residents gathered for Palm Sunday only to be met by russian missiles.”

Against the background of the tragic events in Sumy as a result of the russian missile attack, President of France Emmanuel Macron called for decisive measures to force the aggressor to cease fire. “To the victims, to the wounded, to the whole of Ukraine, which is resisting: our solidarity, our respect, our devotion... Today it is clear that russia alone wants to continue with it (the war) showing its scorn for human life, international law and diplomatic efforts made by President Trump,” emphasized the French President.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen responded to the russian missile attack on Sumy by suggesting three steps to stop the russian war of aggression: to further strengthen Ukraine’s self-defense with military assistance; weaken russia's war machine with economic sanctions; set a firm deadline for a ceasefire.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova has said that by striking Sumy on April 13, russia committed another in a series of war crimes.

The Netherlands has allocated EUR 150 million for the purchase of HAWK air defense systems for Ukraine, as well as handed over a command post for Patriot air defense systems and another batch of F-16 fighters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

rf

US President Donald Trump has extended for another year the sanctions against russia imposed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, in April 2021. The restrictions introduced a state of emergency in relations with russia and allowed for the imposition of sanctions against the rf. “Specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the russian federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” says the official statement.

The decree covers not only sanctions against individuals and legal entities, but also the freezing of russian assets, as well as secondary restrictions on foreign financial institutions that cooperate with the russian military-industrial complex.

For the second year in a row, russia’s gazprom has reported record losses, which have now exceeded 1.076 trillion rubles. The company has already begun a massive layoff of central office staff (the number of administration employees will be cut from 4,100 to 2,500), closing departments and reducing the scope of its investment program. The company was prompted to take such steps by the threat of a 15 trillion ruble financial hole projected by 2034.

In March, food prices in russia rose by 0.8 % compared to February, while alcoholic beverages went up by 1.4 %. Since the beginning of the year, the growth was 3.2 % and 5.9 %, respectively, and 12.4 % and 12.5 % in annual terms. In March, beef prices rose by 2 %. Among dairy products, condensed milk rose the most – by 1.7 %, cheese – by 1.6 %, and sour cream – by 1.5 %. In the fish market, frozen whole fish went up by 3 %. Bread prices increased by 1.6 %, wheat flour – by 1.4 %, and semolina – by 1 %. Coffee went up by 3.1 %, chocolate – by 2.4 %, cocoa – by 2.3 %, ice cream – by 2 %, vodka – by 1.7 %, mineral and drinking water, carbonated drinks – by 1.6 %, and black tea – by 1.4 %. Fruit and vegetable products became more expensive by 0.3 % over the month, by 5.3 % since the beginning of the year, and by 18.8 % compared to March 2024.

In russia, the growth in consumer prices for petrol accelerated in March compared to February, to 0.55 %. Diesel fuel in March 2025 rose by 0.1 % compared to February.

Since the beginning of March 2025, the rb has had noticeable problems with the availability of potatoes in shops: the choice has decreased while  prices have risen. In particular, 3.8 thousand tons of potatoes (13 % of the plan), 2.3 thousand tons of cabbage (16 %), 1.7 thousand tons of carrots (23 %), 300 tons of beets (8 %), 1.2 thousand tons of onions (14 %) and 1.9 thousand tons of apples have not been delivered. Starting April 12, petrol prices in the rb will rise again – for the fifth time since March.

 Despite lukashenko’s crackdown on “parasitism”, the shortage of workers is growing in minsk. As of April 13, the city needed almost 54.3 thousand workers. The main need for personnel was formed by organizations of industry (25 %), trade (13 %), healthcare and social services (10 %), education (9 %), transport (9 %), and construction (8 %). More than 60 % of all vacancies in minsk are open for workers. The demand for workers is dominated by professions in trade and catering (salesperson, cook, storekeeper, cashier, waiter, team member of a fast food facility, restaurant, kitchen worker), construction (bricklayer, painter, plasterer, electric and gas welder, installer of building structures), and transportation (drivers of car, trolleybus, forklift, tractor).