• Kazakh banks sever ties with sanctioned Russian payment system Zolotaya Korona

    In an unexpected move, several major Kazakh banks, including HalykBank, Bank RBK, and Eurasian Bank, have suspended transactions through the "Zolotaya Korona" payment system. The abrupt suspension of transactions comes "for technical reasons," according to a report from Russian news agency TASS on Thursday.

    Freedom Bank was the pioneer in this wave of suspensions, citing "technical work" as the reason for halting operations with the payment system. The bank emphasized that future steps will be …

  • Kremlin dismisses concerns over Putin’s potential arrest in Mongolia amid ICC warrant

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that there are no concerns regarding Vladimir Putin's trip to Mongolia, which acknowledges the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). "No, no concerns," Peskov said on Friday, August 30, when asked by reporters if the Kremlin is worried about Putin's upcoming visit.

    Peskov emphasized that the Kremlin has a "wonderful dialogue with our friends in Mongolia." When questioned about any negotiations with Mongolian authorities regarding the ICC …

  • Dutch Armed Forces Commander: Ukraine cleared to use Dutch F-16s on Russian soil

    Ukraine can use the F-16 fighter jets received from the Netherlands on Russian soil, said Onno Eichelsheim, the commander of the Dutch Armed Forces. "We have imposed no restrictions on the use or flight range of F-16s, provided they adhere to the laws of war," Eichelsheim revealed during an interview with national broadcaster NOS.

    Eichelsheim mentioned that this policy applies to all weaponry supplied by the Netherlands. The Ukrainian armed forces can utilize them on the battlefield at their …

  • UAE banks begin blocking payments made by Russian companies for electronics bought in China

    In August, banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) began blocking payments for electronic components and consumer electronics purchased by Russian companies, according to a report published on Wednesday, August 28 by the Russian business daily Kommersant.

    The payments are reportedly blocked even in cases where the goods do not enter the UAE.

    "Russian organizations have been using UAE-based companies as intermediaries to transfer funds for electronics to China, with the goods directly shipped …

  • Zelensky to present Ukraine’s comprehensive victory plan to Biden in September

    In September, President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present a comprehensive victory plan for Ukraine to his American counterpart, President Joe Biden. The plan, as Zelensky outlined during a press interaction, covers various critical areas, reports Ukrainska Pravda

    According to Zelensky, one aspect of the victory plan includes a military operation by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region.

    "The second component is Ukraine's strategic position in global security infrastructure. The …