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

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South–East Europe have supported Ukraine on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. “NATO membership remains the best cost-effective security option for Ukraine. Neither russia nor any other state that is not a NATO member has the right to veto the Alliance’s enlargement. We fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from outside interference,” reads the Joint Communiqué following the Ukraine – South-East Europe Dubrovnik Ministerial Meeting.

Germany will receive the first interceptor missiles for the Patriot system from its new facilities in late 2026 or early 2027, which it will be able to provide to Ukraine without further approval.

After russia’s massive attack on Ukrainian cities, President of Moldova Maia Sandu has called for providing Ukraine with more air defense systems.

The next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (the Ramstein Format) is to take place within the next 10 days.

Following the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025), the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine has signed agreements, memoranda, and joint statements amounting to over EUR 3.5 billion for the country’s recovery.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank Group, has announced new guarantees totaling EUR 185 million to strengthen Ukraine’s banking system and expand access to lending for small and medium-sized businesses. The guarantees were provided to two international banks: EUR 100 million to BNP Paribas S.A, and EUR 85 million to ING Bank N.V.

The Power Women project, initiated by the Norwegian company Scatec in partnership with FMO, IFC, Swedfund, and EdEra, will launch a training program for Ukrainian women seeking to master professions in the energy sector.

rf

In its annual report for 2024, the Intelligence Service of the Czech Republic (BIS) has pointed out that russia recruits migrants from outside the EU through intermediaries to commit crimes, which aim, among other things, to cause psychological impact, weaken the cohesion of Western societies and reduce support for Ukraine in the fight against russia’s aggression.

An Italian court has ordered UniCredit Bank to leave russia.

In July 2025, the russian internet is experiencing the largest disconnection from the global network in its history – russian providers are massively restricting access to the open Internet. The restrictions have affected more than 80 million russians. Among them – independent media, educational platforms, email services, online stores, banking applications, and government portals that cooperate with Western technologies. Small and medium-sized businesses that use foreign hosting and platforms for work, marketing, and sales were especially affected. According to the rf’s E-Commerce Association, more than 60 % of companies have lost access to CRM systems, payment gateways, and cloud services. This has led to business interruption, loss of customers, massive complaints and losses that are already estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. The kremlin is not only blocking websites, but is also actively pursuing VPN developers, proxy administrators, and ordinary users who spread instructions on how to bypass the blocking. Over the past year, more than 500 criminal cases have been opened in the rf for “violation of the rules of using the Internet”, including for installing VPNs.

Food prices continue to rise in russia. Along with potatoes, the wholesale price of which soared by almost 300 % over the year, pork has also risen in price. As of July 6, the average wholesale price for pork half-carcass reached RUB 215 for 1 kilogram. This is by 30 % more compared to the same period last year. Brisket went up by 22 % (to RUB 250 a kilo), shoulder – by 21 % (to RUB 285 a kilogram), ham – by 19 % (to RUB 292 a kilogram), and the price of carbonade increased by 12 % to RUB 320 for a kilogram.

In January–April, russia’s exports of food products and agricultural raw materials decreased by 15.4 %, while imports of agricultural products increased by 12.5 %. Wheat showed a significant decline in exports: in May, russia exported 2.5 times less grain than a year ago.

The government of the rf is going to completely ban the export of petrol from russia in August and September after a sharp jump in fuel prices. At this, a ban on petrol exports from russia for traders, oil depots and organizations with a production capacity of less than 1 million tons of fuel per year is already in effect from March 1 to August 31.

“roskosmos” has suspended satellite internet constellation project “Skif” and the IoT project “Marathon IoT” due to a lack of funds – 4.5 trillion rubles.

Convicted foreigners can obtain russian citizenship if they sign a contract with the ministry of defence to participate in the so-called “special military operation”, – the rf’s ministry of internal affairs has announced.

russian authorities have also introduced payments to police officers who make those detained for committing offenses or crimes sign contracts for military service.

In 2024, only 44 thousand marriages were registered in russia – by 7.2 % fewer than a year earlier. At the same time, the average age of brides in the rf has been increasing since 2021, and in 2024 it was 32.5 years of age for women and 34.5 – for men.

Struggle with the indigenous population: teachers of the russian language in Abkhazia will monthly receive additional five thousand rubles from russia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani has expressed his firm support for the belarusian people and Italy’s readiness to work together with partners to release political prisoners and achieve democracy in belarus.

Unable to cope with the shortage of products for his own population, on July 12, lukashenko signed the law “On Amendments to the Codes on Administrative Liability”. The document provides for administrative liability of suppliers and retail chains for failure to fulfill their obligations to supply fruit and vegetable products.

belarus has increased the amount of penalties charged for late or incomplete payment of taxes to 0.0271 % of the unpaid amounts of tax, fee, and duty.

belarusian telegram channels are trying to find volunteers to sign a contract with the ministry of defense of the rf. Ads with identical text appeared in the telegram channels “Work in Brest” and “Work in Pinsk”. The requirements for applicants include “good health”.