November 30, 2024 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

Ukraine has received the first $100 million in budgetary aid from the Republic of Korea.

The Parliament of Norway has supported the increase in aid to Ukraine to NOK 35 billion (USD 3.16 billion) in 2025.

Norway has agreed to share with Poland the responsibility for protecting the main transit hub for foreign military aid to Ukraine.

The US Department of Defense continues to increase supplies of critical equipment to Ukraine, including missiles, artillery, and armored vehicles.

“This attack is outrageous and serves as yet another reminder of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defense against russia’s aggression. On this day, my message to the Ukrainian people is clear: The United States stands with you”, said US President Joe Biden regarding the November 28 massive attack on Ukraine.

Toomas Väli, Chief of the Operational Department of the Estonian Defense Forces’ General Staff, has said that despite strong pressure from the rf, Ukrainian defense is standing, and the use of the russian “miracle weapon “oreshnik” was demonstrative.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson believes that British troops should help protect Ukraine's border as part of any potential peace agreement.

Ukraine has joined the joint statement of 59 countries in support of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including the prohibition of the use of chemical weapons as a method of warfare.

44.4 % of citizens of the Czech Republic want Ukraine to win the war waged against it by russia.

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Chief of the MI6 in the United Kingdom Richard Moore has supported the thesis that russia is behind the increasing number of hostile activities in the Euro-Atlantic region, ranging from constant cyber attacks to arson attacks linked to moscow.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the German Constitution has warned of foreign intelligence services’ massive attempts to disrupt the country's early elections: “Against the background of the war of aggression against Ukraine, russia probably has the greatest and most obvious interest in influencing the elections in its own interests”.

Prime Minister of Moldova Dorin Recean has said that the country does not intend to pay the “non-existent” debt of $709 million to “gazprom”.

The rf central bank’s increasing the key rate to 21% has put the owners of thousands of shopping centers at high risk of bankruptcy. Following the recent rate hike, many banks have begun to inform borrowers of a significant increase in the cost of previously issued loans. Additional pressure on the market is also exerted by tenant outflows and the growing tax burden.

On November 29, the dollar rose by one and a half rubles to 109 rubles, while the euro gained three rubles overnight and consolidated above 116 rubles. The collapse of the ruble to its lowest level since March 2022 is the result of “one-time factors, including speculative ones”, commented minister of economic development and trade reshetnikov.

pyanov, first deputy chairman of the board of vtb bank, predicts a “storm” in the interest rate market.

russia is actively working on the issue of allowing the use of used spare parts in motor vehicle liability insurance repairs. The russian association of motor insurers has sent a letter with this proposal to the government and parliament members.

Starting December 1, tariffs for passenger transportation will increase. “russian railways” is raising the cost of travel in economy class, sitting carriages, compartments, sleeping carriages, and luxes on long-distance trains by about 11.6%. At the same time, fees and charges of passenger companies on long-distance routes will increase by 10.2%, and on suburban routes – by 13.8%.

Amid rising prices for oil, the main ingredient in mayonnaise, one of its largest producers, “essen production ag”, is raising selling prices for 21 popular mayonnaise brands (by 2.9-10%), four mayonnaise sauces (by 5-14.6%) and two types of tomato paste (by 5-10%) starting December 15. Since November 15, 18 kinds of mayonnaise and mayonnaise sauces have already gone up by 10%.

Starting December 1, the rf will introduce an experiment with biometrics for foreign citizens at border crossing points. At the first stage, data will be collected at the checkpoints of sheremetyevo, domodedovo, vnukovo and zhukovsky airports. Starting June 30, 2025, the requirement will be extended to all border crossings across the country.

Starting December 10, foreign citizens will be able to take exams in russian as a foreign language, russian history and the basics of russian legislation only at state organizations from the list approved by the government.

putin has signed a law banning the propaganda of childfree approach. Violation of the law will result in a fine of up to 400,000 rubles for individuals, up to 800,000 rubles for officials, and up to 5 million rubles for legal entities.

The level of anxiety in the rf’s society has risen sharply. As of November 24, 45% of russian citizens said that “anxious moods” prevailed among their relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Within a week, the share of such responses increased by 7 per cent, the largest jump since the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall.

In the rf, the basic program of free medical care is going to reduce funding for intraocular injections. This may create additional difficulties in the treatment of diabetes-related vision diseases. There is also a 25% decrease in the standard of financial support for patients with hepatitis C, in contrast to the previously planned increase. Besides, patients with HIV still do not have access to hepatitis B therapy with delta-agent.

Canada has declared its commitment to international efforts to protect the rights of belarusian citizens, including the right to self-determination, and reaffirmed its resolve to use targeted sanctions.

The majority of those who travel from the rb to Lithuania and back are recruited by the kgb, said Darius Jauniškis, head of the Lithuanian State Security Department. “I have a rather negative attitude to people who manage to travel to the rb sometimes 7 times a year, return here, travel to the rb again, and return here again. As an intelligence and counterintelligence officer, I am, frankly, horrified by this”, Jauniškis said.

Due to western sanctions, the rb loses up to two billion dollars annually from potash exports.

The ministry of taxes and levies has restricted access to some foreign electronic platforms: freelance platform Upwork, marketplace Etsy and e-commerce provider Paddle, allegedly for unpaid taxes.