March 27, 2025 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

“With regard to the Ukrainian resistance, the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian military have been underestimated for a period of several years now. And ultimately, from my reflections in observing, from an intelligence standpoint, I’m convinced that they will fight with their bare hands if they have to, if they don’t have terms that are acceptable to an enduring peace,” said Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe.

At the meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Baltic states emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine.

“russia should pay for the restoration of Ukraine’s regions, and confiscated russian assets, which are now frozen all over the world, should be a source for such restoration efforts,” reads the resolution of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.

“It is also good that the United States is trying to take on the role of mediator. At the same time, we must not deceive ourselves, and above all, we must not allow the russian president to blind us,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock.

President of the European Council António Costa has emphasized Ukraine’s significant progress in reforms on its way to EU membership and suggested that due to such efforts, Ukraine’s membership in the EU could become a reality before 2030.

“The end of the russian unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine and unconditional withdrawal of all russian military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine would be one of the main preconditions to amend or lift sanctions,” said a Spokesperson for the European Commission.

Ukraine has signed a memorandum with the Ukraine Facility Audit Board to strengthen control over the effective use of financial assistance from the European Union.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a loan for Naftogaz to purchase natural gas for the next two heating seasons in the amount of up to EUR 270 million.

“The responsibility that lies with the German Government in the face of the first war of aggression on European soil in 80 years has been and remains great,” President of the FRG Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, thanking Olaf Scholz’ Government for its work and pointing out its support for Ukraine.

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President of the European Council António Costa has said that Europe must have all means to defend itself against military aggression. “If russia believes that Ukraine’s borders are just a line on a map, why should it respect the borders of any other country?” he added.

The cessation of russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the withdrawal of occupying troops is one of the main preconditions for amending or lifting EU sanctions against the rf. This was stated by European Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

“When it comes to the defence of Poland and the general defence of NATO territory, if anyone were to miscalculate and think they can get away with an attack on Poland or on any other Ally, they will be met with the full force of this fierce Alliance. Our reaction will be devastating,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Western sanctions have deprived russia of almost $500 billion in revenue.

Germany currently sees no reason to lift EU sanctions against russia, particularly in the banking sector.

“...Europe, I can confirm this with great responsibility, is ready to continue to apply both the sanctions policy and isolate russia as much as it depends on Europe,” President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda said about the possibility of lifting anti-russian sanctions.

Since March 26, EU ports have been banned from transshipment of liquefied natural gas produced or exported from russia. Such restrictions were envisaged by the sanctions imposed in June 2024, but companies were granted a deferral for contracts concluded before June 25, 2024. It is also prohibited to provide technical support, brokerage services, financing or financial support for LNG transshipment.

This year, the volume of gazprom’s supplies to Europe and Turkey will decrease more than five times compared to 2019 and amount to 47 billion cubic meters, and by 2034 it will drop to 34 billion cubic meters. The company is losing money at a rapid pace: this year the cash flow will be negative, and for the period from 2025 to 2034 the total “hole” in gazprom’s budget will amount to 15 trillion rubles (almost $179 billion at the current exchange rate).

russian electronics manufacturers complained about poor sales and asked the federation council to limit the import of foreign gadgets. The manufacturers want to reduce parallel imports (smuggling) of laptops and smartphones, introduce an additional recycling fee, and provide retailers with preferential loans for the purchase of russian devices. Due to poor demand for russian electronics, the rf loses about 12 billion rubles a year.

In February, the retail loan portfolio in the rf decreased by 100 billion rubles to 36.7 billion rubles, while the share of overdue debt increased from 3.9 % to 4 % and amounted to almost 1.5 trillion rubles. In total, russians’ bad debts on loans (including restructurings, etc.) are approaching 2 trillion rubles – 1.9 trillion at the end of February. Over the month, they grew by about 200 billion rubles.

russians have started to be offered new Chinese cars with discounts ranging from 150 thousand to 1 million rubles amid overstocking of warehouses. Both automakers and dealers and importers are forced to offer discounts. Dealers’ discounts are dictated by desperation, as one car generates at least 2.5 % of losses a month while it is on display.

In 2023, russia topped the European ranking in terms of the number of new cases of tuberculosis, with 55,000 cases registered in the country. Problems with the availability of medicines may worsen the situation in the rf. In 2024, 134 vital medicines disappeared from russian pharmacies. Among them are medications for tuberculosis, as well as medicines for oncology, antiepileptic medicines, insulin for pregnant women, medicines for HIV, malaria and others.

In 2024, a record number of cases of measles, rubella, and chickenpox were recorded in russia. The decline in vaccination rates was caused by overburdened healthcare system and disruptions in the supply of medicines due to Western sanctions.

rosstat has classified data on life expectancy of russians.

In russia, one in seven citizens said they would inform the police or authorities if they learned that their neighbors, acquaintances or even loved ones were criticizing putin.

Over the year, the number of private entrepreneurs in belarus decreased by 6.4 %. As of March 1, 2025, 235,423 PEs were registered in the rb. As of the same date in 2024, there were 251,565 PEs.

The number of people employed in the belarusian economy has decreased by almost 200 thousand people in five years.

UN human rights experts have issued a statement calling on the authorities of the rb to respond to persistent accusations of ill-treatment of women in penal colonies.