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

The European Union has finalized its decision to provide Ukraine with a EUR 90 billion loan and has adopted the 20th package of sanctions against russia. “The written procedures for amending the regulation on the multiannual financial framework, which forms the basis for the EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against russia, have been successfully completed. Both documents were adopted unanimously,” said a Spokesperson for the EU Presidency, held by Cyprus.

“Ukraine’s struggle is no longer viewed only as a national issue or even just a European issue, but as a universal defense of democratic freedom. Defending Ukraine means defending freedom and the right of its people to determine their own future,” said Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.

“I am a military man; I do not interact with political leadership, but I would be very optimistic that if the will is directed toward achieving this, it (Ukraine’s accession to the EU) will happen in the near future,” said Chairman of the European Union Military Committee General Sean Clancy.

“The question is no longer whether Ukraine will hold out. You have already answered that. The question is whether the rest of the world will match your resolve. Because one day this war will end. And history will not ask what we said; it will ask what we did. Ukraine is providing the answer to that question. And now it is time for all of us to provide our answers to these questions,” Prince Harry emphasized that Ukraine deserves the respect of the entire world for its resilience and leadership in a struggle that extends beyond its borders.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are warning their European partners that any attempts to restore normal relations with moscow following its full-scale aggression against Ukraine are unrealistic and dangerous.

Spain has announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine, which will include 100 VAMTAC armored tactical vehicles and 155-mm artillery shells.

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group have announced a new financial package worth over EUR 600 million to support urgent recovery projects in Ukraine.

Sweden is allocating $1.3 million to preserve cultural heritage in Ukraine.

Odesa has received 40 generators from Austrian partners to meet the city’s needs during blackouts.

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Finland has become the 21st country to join the agreement on establishing a Special Tribunal on the rf’s crime of aggression.

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency has sent a letter to the Biennale di Venezia Foundation stating its intention to terminate the three-year EU grant of EUR 2 million due to the russian pavilion at the exhibition.

“russia is not preparing for demobilization. It is preparing for a protracted confrontation. Europe must finally put aside the illusions it once had that russia would become a democratic and reliable partner and face the world as it is,” said Minister of Defence of Estonia Hanno Pevkur.

russian authorities are preparing to massively cut staff at state-funded organizations amid a sharply rising budget deficit. As of April 1, the number of employees recommended for dismissal stood at 105,147. Meanwhile, the number of employees slated for layoffs has increased by more than 40% since the middle of last year. The largest number of layoffs in the near future is expected in the city of moscow, moscow, omsk, and irkutsk regions, as well as  the krasnoyarsk territory. Most often, employees in the financial and tax spheres, healthcare, state and local governments fall under the “optimization”.

The business confidence index in the retail sector – a key sector of the economy accounting for a quarter of russia’s GDP – fell to minus 8 points in the first quarter, marking an all-time low since records began (in 2000).

Tax hikes have become the main problem for businesses in russia: 43% of respondents cited  them as the main factor “limiting their operations”. 38% of retail companies complained about “insufficient effective demand”, while 21% cited a lack of funds.

Producer prices for industrial goods in russia rose by 2% in March compared to the previous month, following a 0.5% increase in February. In the mining sector, producer prices jumped by 4.7%, up from a 2.1% increase the previous month. In the manufacturing sector, prices rose by 1.5%.

russian manufacturers continued to cut back on agricultural machinery production due to overstocked warehouses and falling demand. In January–March 2026, the country produced by 36.8% less agricultural machinery than in the same period a year earlier. At the same time, supplies of machinery to the russian market fell by 16% year-on -year, while exports declined by 15.5%. A decline in shipments was observed across nearly all types of agricultural machinery.

In 2025, sales of clothing, footwear, and accessories in russia declined by 8–10% in volume terms. In 2026, sales will not grow, even if an optimistic scenario plays out in the market.

As of the end of March, the share of delinquent auto loans in banks’ portfolios exceeded 6% for the first time since the summer of 2021.

As of March 1, the share of overdue retail loans rose from 3.98% to 4.59% over the year – reaching its highest level since mid-2019.

The russian steelmaker mmk remained unprofitable in the first quarter amid a drop in sales and production due to low demand in the rf. The company reported a loss of 1.37 billion rubles for January–March 2026.

Managers of the largest marketplaces are complaining about falling sales after Ozon, Wildberries, and “yandex.market” began blocking users with VPNs enabled.

Over the past five years, russians have begun to complain more frequently to management companies not only about leaky pipes (37.3%), but also about dirty stairwells (3.2%), slow lifts (6.3%), and malfunctioning door phones (3.2%). The seasonal peak in complaints occurs in the autumn and early winter.

The number of births in the rf in 2026 is declining for the 11th consecutive year. In the first quarter of 2026, 272,000 babies were born – by 6% fewer than a year earlier. The birth rate has reached its lowest level in the past 200 years.

Prime Minister of Lithuania Inga Ruginienė has emphasized that her country will not seek closer ties with belarus until minsk demonstrates goodwill.

Lithuania’s Seimas has extended national sanctions against citizens of belarus and russia.

The Lithuanian Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved a proposal to ask the government to draft amendments restricting the right of russians and belarusians to purchase real estate in Lithuania.