Economy
Russia supports export of sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 with one icebreaker
Russia continues to export liquefied natural gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project despite US sanctions, using only one icebreaking tanker. Capacity is about 25 per cent utilised, with China remaining the main buyer.
Shadowy fleet tanker Hyperion switches to Russian flag near Venezuela
Off the coast of Venezuela, the Hyperion tanker changed its registration from Gambian to Russian. This is the second such case involving shadow fleet vessels, which could become a scheme to circumvent sanctions.
Turkey signs 33 bcm gas deal with Azerbaijan and doubles production in the Black Sea
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced a new 33 bcm gas deal with Azerbaijan that will start in 2029 and plans to double Black Sea gas production in 2026 to supply 8 million households.
After Maduro's overthrow, the US is betting on Venezuelan oil: what's next
Venezuela, with the world's largest oil reserves, may reopen to US companies, but sanctions, infrastructure and political uncertainty are hampering a rapid recovery.
The global economy in 2026: slower growth, trade wars and risks of a debt crisis
In 2026, the global economy is expected to slow to 2.9 per cent, with trade conflicts intensifying, debt risks and uncertainty surrounding the artificial intelligence boom.
Zelensky appoints Sergiy Kyslytsya as first deputy head of the Presidential Administration and Christia Freeland as advisor
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Serhiy Kyslytsia as First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office and Christia Freeland as Economic Development Adviser. The appointments are aimed at strengthening work with partners and investments.
Serbian President: NIS refinery to resume operations on 17 or 18 January after US licence
Serbia's NIS refinery, which has been subject to US sanctions, is due to start up on 17 or 18 January after 36 days of downtime. The temporary licence is valid until 23 January, and the Russian shareholders have until 24 March to leave.
Rubio warns Cuba of consequences after Maduro's capture
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Cuba is in a difficult situation after the US operation in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolas Maduro. Washington does not rule out further pressure.
Zelenskyy has changed the leadership of the State Border Guard Service: Vavryniuk becomes acting head
The President of Ukraine has dismissed Serhiy Deynek from the post of Head of the State Border Guard Service. First Deputy Head Valeriy Vavryniuk has been appointed as interim head of the State Border Guard Service.
Russian foreign trade plummeted in 2025 amid sanctions and falling prices
Russia's exports declined due to cheaper oil and OPEC+ quotas, while imports of investment goods fell by almost 9%, halting the modernisation of the economy.
Liquidation of JSC "RwS BANK" will start on 5 January and will last for three years
From 5 January 2026, the Deposit Guarantee Fund will start liquidating JSC "RwS Bank". The procedure will last until 4 January 2029, and depositors will be serviced by the transitional UTE Bank.
The CSU proposes to make the Bundeswehr the most powerful conventional army in Europe
The CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag is planning a large-scale strengthening of the Bundeswehr, focusing on long-range precision weapons, drones and air defence amid the threat from Russia.
