November 22, 2024 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller has said that the administration of President Joe Biden has submitted to Congress a statement of intent to cancel half of Ukraine's economic aid debt – approximately $4.65 billion.

Minister of Defence of Canada Bill Blair has said that the NASAMS air defense system purchased by his country is currently in Poland and will soon be transferred to Ukraine.

The Netherlands has reported on the transfer of the last two of the previously allocated F-16 fighter jets to the training center at the Romanian air base of Fătăști, where Ukrainian pilots are trained.

The UK Ministry of Defense has reported on the training of more than five hundred Ukrainian combat medics.

In the United Kingdom, the Labor government and the opposition Conservative Party have expressed the need to continue supporting Ukraine.

“putin is again playing a nuclear gamble with russia's recently updated nuclear doctrine, he has brought north korean soldiers on European soil, so these are all clear signs of a desire for escalation rather than a real search for peace”, European Commission Spokesperson Peter Stano said of russia's use of an intercontinental ballistic missile during its recent attack on Ukraine.

The Executive Board of the UN World Food Program has approved an interim strategic plan for Ukraine for 2025-2027 with a total budget of USD 2.1 billion. The plan envisages humanitarian assistance, support for the population, continuation of the demining process and support for Ukraine's export potential in supplying agricultural products to international markets.

“We have decided to invest EUR 200 million to enable Ukraine to rebuild the power grid that was destroyed by russian attacks. We cannot allow “general winter” to become an ally of russia”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani.

Switzerland has donated four powerful energy-efficient pumps to Ukraine to help ensure heat supply in Odesa.

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Prosecutor's office of the Italian city of Milan has announced the initiation of a case against two citizens of the country, who are accused of spying for the rf.

Chinese banks have stepped up checks on payments from India, the UAE and Hong Kong for a “russian trace”. Trying to avoid secondary sanctions, the banks demand that goods be shipped to the country from which the money came.

Due to international sanctions and technical reasons, more than 50% of the existing fleet of Airbus aircrafts – 34 out of 66 – have been suspended in the rf. Some Airbus A320 and Airbus A321neo aircrafts have been put on standby to save engine life, and 20 aircrafts have been grounded for good. The remaining A320/A321neo aircrafts (almost 10% of the entire foreign mainline fleet of the rf) are scheduled for decommissioning in 2026.

Due to the acceleration of inflation in the rf and in anticipation of the central bank's key rate hike in December, the moscow stock exchange index has fallen below 2,600 points for the first time in two weeks, with the stock index having lost more than 4.5 % over the past two days.

The number of defaults on the russian bond market is expected to increase in the first half of 2025.

Last week, attendance at russian shopping centers decreased by 3 %, and at fashion retail stores – by 5 %.

In October, the cost of electricity and gas supply services for enterprises in the rf increased by 2.2%.

segezha group, a russian timber holding company, has accumulated debts worth 143 billion rubles, which is why it will hold an additional issue of its shares.

In 2023, 60% of public procurements in the rf were recognized as failed, – said the accounts chamber. 94% of the tenders failed due to the absence of bidders or only one bid.

Estonia will not recognize the results of the presidential elections in the rb in 2025, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna: “Presidential election organized in an atmosphere of terror cannot meet democratic standards”. The Minister also pointed out that Western countries “must strengthen sanctions against the lukashenko regime so that it realizes that selling out its country and people to russia is unacceptable”.

Liechtenstein has expanded sanctions against the authorities of the rb and brought them in line with the latest package of EU sanctions, as well as synchronized with the restrictions imposed on the rf in order to prevent russian sanctions from being circumvented through the rb.

On November 21, the dollar rose again and set another all-time high of 3.415 rubles at the rb’s currency and stock exchange. The euro rose to 3.5928 rubles.

Oil refining in the rb continues to experience problems, which affects both production and exports: the “naftan” refinery in vitebsk region significantly reduced its output in October. Oil products account for a large share of the rb’s exports, so problems in this sector have a significant impact on foreign trade earnings.

As a result of a decrease in the number of transportation services due to sanctions imposed on the lukashenko regime for mass repression and supporting russia in the war against Ukraine, the belarusian railways cannot pay wages without borrowing money.

In September and October of this year, the nominal accrued salary of employees decreased by 1.5% to 2313.9 rubles.