Author’s articles
The Trump administration plans to take further steps to ease sanctions against Venezuela’s oil sector in order to boost crude oil production amid rising oil prices caused by the conflict over Iran.
US Central Command reported an attack on Iranian missile positions near the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly afterwards, the US embassy came under fire from missiles and drones.
Iraq, the second-largest member of OPEC+, has found an alternative to the closed Strait of Hormuz by agreeing to resume oil transit via the Kurdish section of the pipeline.
On Wednesday, 18 March, the hryvnia continues to strengthen on the cash market. Following the NBU’s official exchange rate, rates at currency exchange bureaux and the cash desks of the largest banks have also fallen.
A prolonged conflict with Iran could lead to a significant downturn in the economies of the Gulf states. Qatar and Kuwait stand to suffer the greatest losses.
Analysts from the Dozorro project have identified a suspected overcharge of 1.8 million hryvnias in the cost estimate for emergency repairs to a building in Odesa that was damaged by shelling.
The Japanese government has warned private companies interested in Ukraine’s reconstruction of the risks of technical and confidential data leaks arising from the use of Huawei equipment in the development of 5G networks.
Ukrainian petrol stations will continue to raise fuel prices this week. Diesel could rise by a further 6 hryvnias, petrol by 3–4 hryvnias, and autogas by 2–3 hryvnias per litre.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has not backed US President Donald Trump’s call to send warships to clear the Strait of Hormuz. The government is considering other options for involvement, but is not yet prepared to deploy naval forces.
The effects of fresh Russian attacks have been reported in the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. There are civilian casualties, including both dead and wounded.
The Swiss government has urged voters to reject the initiative to cap the population at 10 million, as officials believe this could jeopardise the economy and relations with the EU.
Naftogaz Ukraine is in talks with the Romanian company OMV Petrom regarding a potential partnership to develop a gas field in the Black Sea.
