Russia

MOSCOW BLOG: a tale of two sets of talks

Ben Aris in Berlin August 29, 2025

There are two sets of talks going on at the moment. In one set, Europe is trying to help its ally bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine with a “just peace”. In the other Trump just wants to do business with Russia.

Cold War-era missile agreements are back on the agenda and could provide badly needed peace deal negotiation middle ground

Ben Aris in Berlin August 29, 2025

Restarting talks on renewing the Cold War missile treaties is one of the best options of kicking off serious peace negotiations between Russia and the West and now its back on the agenda.

Russia making steady gains in the battle for the Donbas

bne IntelliNews August 29, 2025

Russian forces have made significant territorial advances across several fronts in eastern Ukraine since July, and the battle for the key logistical hub of Pokrovsk is still raging.

India set to boost Russian oil imports despite US tariffs

bne IntelliNews August 29, 2025

Indian imports of Russian oil are expected to increase in September as New Delhi presses ahead with purchases despite new US punitive tariffs

A look at the Indian industries hardest hit by US tariffs

bno - Mumbai bureau August 29, 2025

India has emerged as one of the hardest hit nations under fresh tariff measures imposed by the United States, with Indian exports to its largest single market now facing duties of up to 50%.

Migrants in Moscow spooked by government order to download geolocation app by Sept 1

bne IntelliNews August 28, 2025

“Amina” surveillance will inform interior ministry of guest workers’ exact whereabouts.

Deathonomics: Russia’s war in Ukraine creates a new kind of middle class

Ben Aris in Berlin August 28, 2025

Deathonomics: Russia’s war in Ukraine creates a new kind of middle class Some economists have dubbed it “deathonomics”. Russia’s heavy military spending is transforming income profiles. The trouble is you might be dead at the end of it.

Hungary sues EU over use of frozen Russian asset income for Ukraine aid

Ben Aris in Berlin August 28, 2025

Hungary has launched a lawsuit against the EU over the use of billions of euros in interest accrued from frozen Russian sovereign assets to finance military support for Ukraine.

ExxonMobil held secret Kremlin talks on a return to the Russian market

Ben Aris in Berlin August 28, 2025

US oil major ExxonMobil held secret talks with the Kremlin on a possible return to working in Russia, the Wall Street Journal reports

Drone flyover finds no sign of life in search for Russian climber stranded on Kyrgyzstan’s highest mountain

bne IntelliNews August 27, 2025

Natalia Nagovitsyna trapped near top of Jengish Chokusu for two weeks with broken leg in freezing conditions.

US grants Serbia’s NIS sixth sanctions waiver

bne IntelliNews August 27, 2025

The delay follows recent US-Russia talks in Alaska, which may have influenced Washington’s decision.

COMMENT: Can Russia weather Ukrainian drone attack fuel crisis?

bne IntelliNews August 27, 2025

Russia is once again navigating a familiar crisis: surging gasoline prices, empty fuel pumps, and mounting pressure on its domestic supply system. This is not the first time Russia has faced a fuel crisis, but this one is especially bad.

Russia orders emergency operation in race to save mountaineer trapped on Kyrgyzstan’s highest peak

bne IntelliNews August 26, 2025

Top official responds to desperate appeal from climber Natalia Nagovitsyna’s son who believes she is still alive.

End of Bolivia's leftist era leaves Chinese and Russian lithium deals in limbo

Alek Buttermann in Lima August 26, 2025

Bolivia’s October presidential run-off has become a contest not only between two political traditions but also over the management of the country’s vast but underdeveloped lithium resources.

Ukraine unveils upgraded Neptune missile with extended range capabilities

Ben Aris in Belrin August 26, 2025

Ukraine has unveiled a new version of its domestically produced Neptune missile, the same weapon used to sink Russia’s Black Sea fleet flagship, the Moskva in April 2022, with a redesigned airframe and an expanded range of up to 1,000 km.

Modi vows to shield Indian farmers and small firms against US tariffs

bno Chennai Office August 26, 2025

The remarks came hours before the US administration of President Donald Trump was due to impose higher duties on a range of Indian exports.

Kyrgyzstan abandons attempt to rescue Russian climber trapped on icy summit of country’s highest mountain

bne IntelliNews August 25, 2025

Italian mountaineer perishes in effort to reach Natalia Nagovitsyna, who lost her husband in a 2021 climbing tragedy.

US EPA’s controversial Climate Crisis report is full of lies and mistakes

Ben Aris in Berlin August 25, 2025

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a controversial report in July claiming the effects of the Climate Crisis were overblown. A fact check by Carbon Brief found it is full of lies and errors.

War of words escalates between Budapest Brussels and Kyiv following the latest Druzhba oil pipeline attacks

Ben Aris in Berlin August 25, 2025

US President Donald Trump is very angry with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over the attacks on Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline that lead to an exchange of irate letters over the weekend.

India rejects criticism over Russian oil trade but flow from Moscow plummets

bno - Taipei Office August 25, 2025

India has pushed back against mounting criticism of its continued energy ties with Moscow, insisting that no country is obliged to buy refined Russian oil products exported from Indian refineries.

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