October 24, 2024 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

Ukraine has received another tranche of funding from the IMF in the amount of $1.1 billion.

European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders has emphasized that on the 25th of October the G7 partner countries will announce their contributions to the initiative for a $50 billion macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.

Minister of Finance of the FRG Christian Lindner predicts that a $50 billion international loan to Ukraine may be agreed by the end of the week.

US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen has said that the United States is “very close” to finalizing the allocation of $20 billion within the G7 loan package for Ukraine.

The United Kingdom is allocating additional 120 million pounds (almost $156 million) to finance the Maritime Capability Coalition amid intensified russian attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure in the Black Sea.

“We must invest in the production of military materials: both here to replenish our own stocks and help Ukraine, and in cooperation with Ukraine to invest in production there”, said Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho.

Lithuania will invest the previously allocated EUR10 million in the production of the Palyanytsia drone missile through direct financing of the Ukrainian manufacturer.

The government of Lithuania has approved the allocation of EUR 1 million to support Ukraine's European integration processes.

The European Union's next foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that russia’s war against Ukraine and strengthening the EU’s security will be her priorities in office.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has allocated an additional $6.5 million to fund the “Prykhystok” (“Shelter”- Transl.) program in Ukraine.

In the first nine months of 2024, Ukraine had exported 48.9 million tons of agricultural products totaling $10.5 billion, with the cost of products having increased by $1.4 billion compared to last year.

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United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen has announced that  next week will see introduction of “powerful new sanctions against those who facilitate the kremlin's war machine, including intermediaries in third countries that supply russia with critical resources for its army”.

Over the past few weeks, Turkey has blocked exports to russia of more than forty categories of goods of American origin, which the United States considers critical to the russian military sphere.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski has said that russia is waging a hybrid war against Poland, which includes the spread of disinformation, cyber attacks on institutions and companies, illegal crossing of the Polish border and sabotage actions throughout the country, so he does not rule out the possible expulsion of the russian ambassador from the country. At the same time, Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revoked the work permit for the rf’s consulate in Poznan, and its employees will be declared  “personae non gratae” in Poland.

Renatas Pocius, Chairman of the National Energy Regulatory Council of Lithuania, has confirmed that the gas transportation company Amber Grid was fined EUR81,100 for installing 123 russian-made parts without proper certificates in the gas pipeline between Lithuania and Poland.

On October 23, Lithuania’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the termination of the merchant shipping agreement with the rf.

The Latvian National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) has ordered to restrict access to 17 russian propaganda online resources.

The Finnish energy concern Fortum has filed a lawsuit against the russian company “forvard energo” demanding to reimburse EUR800 million in debt on loans, interest and penalties.

According to the World Steel Association’s report, in September, russia cut steel production by 10.3% to 5.6 million tons, and by 5.5% to 54 million tons in the first nine months of this year. This is the largest decline in production among the ten countries that account for the bulk of the world's steel production.

Starting October 25, “yandex taxi” will increase its travel fares in moscow and st. petersburg by up to 4%, and its “comfort” fares – by  25%.

Rent for class A warehouses in the city of moscow and moscow region rose by 56% during the year, to RUB 12 thousand for 1 square meter per year.

russian banks continue their policy of reducing lending to the population of the rf: in September, the number of credit cards issued amounted to only 1.96 million, the lowest since February 2023. The total amount slightly exceeded RUB 251 billion and is also the lowest since February last year.

The retail lending in the rf has been declining for the third month in a row. During this time, the number of credit cards issued decreased by more than 19%, and the amount in cash by 17%. Cash lending dropped even more: in September, the volume of loans issued decreased by 35% compared to May, while the number of loans decreased by more than 26%.

In the rf, the number of patients with high blood pressure increased from 22% (of all people examined by doctors) in 2019 to 32% in 2024. In 2022, 50% of patients were provided with the necessary medications, in 2024 – 48%.

The rb ranks 105th overall in the Rule of Law Index compiled by the international non-governmental organization World Justice Project. According to the indicator “Limitation of Powers of Government Institutions”, the rb ranks 138th out of 142 countries, 134th in terms of transparency of government institutions, 129th in terms of respect for fundamental rights, and 108th in terms of observance of laws.

The council of ministers of the rb has extended the ban on the unlicensed export of flax fiber from the country for another six months. The previous ban was adopted in April this year.

On October 23, the dollar rose to 3.2979 rubles at the rb’s currency and stock exchange.

The ministry of information of the rb has expanded the list of extremist materials. Several dozen social media accounts and pages have been added to the list. Among them – the  telegram channel “kolenka lukashenko” and the chat in that messenger “kolya’s life”.

In Samara, another bus of the belarusian manufacturer maz caught fire due to a faulty electrical wiring. Firefighters arrived when the bus had burnt completely.