• Russian businesses face increased payment rejections from Central Asian banks amid sanction fears

    Payment rejections for Russian businesses using Central Asian banks jumped by 30 percent in July, according to a survey conducted by transport companies PEK, Digital VED, GTL, and Logita Trade, reported the Russian news agency RBC.

    The payment processing time increased by about 15 percent to two weeks. This issue affected banks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. They have started requesting more additional documents and clarifications from Russian companies: information …

  • Putin hosts Assad amid anniversary of Syrian-Russian diplomatic relations

    Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Kremlin's press service reports. As emphasized by the Syrian guest, his visit coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Russian Federation.

    "Honorable Mr. President, I am very glad to see you," Putin greeted Assad. "We have an opportunity to discuss the full spectrum of our relations. It has been a long time since we've met. I'm very …

  • Poland initiates 'Eastern Dawn' military operation to counter Russian threats

    Starting August 1, the Polish Armed Forces will begin a new military operation, codenamed “Wschodnia zorza” ("Eastern Dawn"), as announced on the country's Ministry of Defense website.

    This operation is a direct response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which has amplified the risk of airspace violations over Poland, according to the official statement.

    The primary goal of “Eastern Dawn” is to protect Poland's airspace from unauthorized incursions. The operation will focus on …

  • Scholz defends US missile deployment in Germany, citing Russian aggression against Ukraine as key factor

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has defended the proposed deployment of American long-range missile systems in Germany, stating that the presence of American missiles on German soil would serve as a deterrent, ensuring that Germany would not face any aggression.

    Scholz dismissed concerns that the planned deployment of American missiles might escalate tensions with Russia. He pointed out that the arms control regime in place has been carefully crafted and calibrated.

    "We need forces and means of …

  • EU tightens sanctions: bans investors from participating in Russian asset exchange scheme

    In a stern directive from the Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services, and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA), the European Commission has prohibited individuals and legal entities from EU countries from participating in an asset exchange scheme proposed by Russia. This announcement, made on Wednesday, July 24, underscores the EU's firm stance on the involvement of Russia's National Settlement Depository (NSD), which has been on the EU's sanctions list since June 2022, …