Quentin Ariès is a journalist based in Brussels, Belgium.

After delays, EU agrees to end imports of Russian oil shipments

31 May 2022  |  Brisbane Times  |  English  |  Energy Crisis

European Union countries have agreed to phase out seaborne imports of Russian oil, marking a significant move to impact Russia's economy amid the war in Ukraine. The deal includes exemptions for pipeline oil, primarily benefiting Hungary, which had resisted the agreement. The sanctions package also targets Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, and bans three Russian state-owned broadcasters. The EU's decision reflects a shift from its previous dependency on Russian energy, although the compromise falls short of a full embargo. Analysts predict continued high oil prices globally, despite a reduction in Russian exports.

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Sberbank European Union SWIFT European Commission

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Shura Collinson is a journalist based in Moscow, Russia. She is the former editor-in-chief of The St. Petersburg Times newspaper and the former managing editor of The Moscow Times.

'Give and take:' when giant companies join forces with startups

28 Jul 2016  |  Skolkovo Community  |  English  |  Startups

Multinational corporations like SAP are increasingly collaborating with small startups to foster innovation and adapt to market changes. Andrej Bievetski, managing director of SAP Labs in the CIS, emphasizes the mutual benefits of such partnerships, where startups provide agility and fresh ideas, while large companies offer expertise, resources, and market access. SAP supports startups through technology platforms, mentoring, and certification, helping them scale globally. The focus areas for SAP include the Industrial Internet of Things and machine learning, aiming to drive digital transformation and smart data processing.

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Sberbank Skolkovo Foundation for the Development of Internet Initiatives Russian Venture Company Rosneft Gazprom VTB

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Gulraiz Iqbal is a journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He has written for international think tanks on issues related to conventional deterrence in South Asia, politics of space affairs, and East-West dynamics.

Fukuyama’s ‘The End of History and the Last Man’ in Light of the Russia-Ukraine War

20 Dec 2023  |  Strafasia | Strategy, analysis, News and insight of Emerging Asia  |  English  |  Economic Sanctions

The article critically examines the premise of Francis Fukuyama's 'The End of History and the Last Man', juxtaposing it with the persistence of authoritarian regimes and the current Russia-Ukraine conflict. It argues that despite predictions of democracy's triumph, authoritarian states remain, challenging the liberal world order. The article discusses the implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, not only in terms of territorial disputes but as a reflection of ideological conflicts and security dilemmas. It highlights the economic repercussions of the war on Ukraine, Russia, and Europe, and the sanctions imposed by the US and its allies on Russian entities. The piece suggests that the conflict tests the resilience of the liberal order and warns against the potential rise of authoritarianism globally. The authors clarify that the opinions are their own and not necessarily those of Strafasia.

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Sberbank Alfa Bank Alrosa United Shipbuilding Corporation RT Sputnik

JElena JAnkovic is a journalist based in Beograd, Serbia.

In three years, Orban's son-in-law acquired five business parks in Belgrade

30 Oct 2023  |  www.slobodnaevropa.org  |  Serbian  |  Politics

Over three years, Istvan Tiborcz, son-in-law of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, acquired over 122,000 square meters of business space in Belgrade through three transactions. The properties, initially controlled by the Hungarian National Bank, were managed by Indotek before being transferred to Tiborcz's Diofa Fund Management. The article highlights the political and corruption context surrounding Orban's administration, noting Transparency International's findings on corruption in Hungary. The properties in Belgrade house various IT firms, banks, and international organizations. Tiborcz's business ventures have previously faced scrutiny, including an investigation by OLAF into street lighting projects in Hungary.

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Sberbank Hungarian National Bank Transparency International European Commission Australian Embassy Air Serbia UniCredit Bank Fortenova Group OFSI Financial Times OLAF

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Leonie Kijewski is a journalist based in Brussels, Belgium.

EU slaps more sanctions on Russia, introduces food exceptions

04 Oct 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Food Security

EU ambassadors agreed on a new round of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on Russian gold and exceptions for sanctioned banks to facilitate the purchase, import, or transport of agricultural and food products. The sanctions package also targets 48 individuals, nine groups, and companies, and introduces stricter reporting requirements for asset freezes and tighter export controls on dual-use and advanced technology items. Additionally, a new derogation allows certain Russian-flagged ships to dock at European ports for renewable energy projects.

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Sberbank European Union National Commercial Bank SWIFT

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For over 20 years I was an English-language journalist based in Moscow. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I left Russia. However, I continue to closely monitor developments in Russia (and my homeland, Belarus), contributing articles on Russia-related topics. My focus lies ...

Russia's Yandex.Taxi's IPO still on, as it struggles to stay profitable

15 May 2020  |  www.intellinews.com  |  English  |  Ride-Hailing Industry

Yandex.Taxi, the ride-hailing arm of Russian online giant Yandex, is proceeding with its IPO plans despite profitability challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Tigran Khudaverdyan confirmed the IPO is still on the agenda, though not a priority under current restrictions. The company, which merged with Uber in 2017, has seen a significant drop in revenues and gross merchandise volume due to the pandemic. Despite these setbacks, Yandex.Taxi remains optimistic about posting a profit in 2020. The company has also negotiated leasing holidays for its partner taxi companies to mitigate the impact of the lockdown. Additionally, Yandex.Taxi has halted its acquisition of Vezet, a major regional taxi player, though it is unclear if this decision is related to the pandemic.

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Sberbank CIB Mail.ru

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Andrew MacDowall is a experienced correspondent, analyst, and consultant covering Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He has also done substantial work in the MENA region and South-East Asia as a business journalist and analyst. He has written for publications including the Guardian, ...

Croatia’s Populist President Looks Set to Win Another Term

25 Oct 2023  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  Economic Issues

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has strengthened Croatia's alignment with the EU and NATO, achieving significant economic growth and political stability. Despite these successes, incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, known for his populist nationalist appeal, is poised to win another term in the upcoming presidential election. The political landscape is marked by Plenkovic's center-right Croatian Democratic Union's dominance, while Milanovic remains a key opposition figure. Economic challenges persist, with inflation affecting quality of life, and Russia's influence remains a concern. Plenkovic's potential departure for an EU or NATO role could shift the political dynamics further.

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Sberbank Croatian Democratic Union Social Democratic Party Homeland Union Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Gazprom

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Jack Parrock is a journalist based in Brussels, Belgium. He is specialised in live and packaged TV and radio news and moderating live events.

Viktor Orban blocks EU plan for total ban on Russian oil

04 May 2022  |  The Telegraph  |  English  |  Russia-Ukraine War

Hungary has rejected an EU plan to ban all oil imports from Russia, causing a split within the bloc over new sanctions aimed at pressuring Vladimir Putin. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that the ban would jeopardize Hungary's energy security, demanding a total exemption for oil imports through pipelines. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, proposed the embargo as part of the EU's sixth round of sanctions against Russia, which also includes removing Sberbank from the Swift payment system and banning Russian media outlets. The rejection by Hungary, which relies heavily on Russian oil, has raised questions about the feasibility of the proposed sanctions. The EU's measures are seen as part of a long-term strategy to reduce dependency on Russian fossil fuels.

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Sberbank European Commission EU

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Dmitry Velikovsky is a journalist based in Moskva, Russia.

Leaked Emails Reveal How Putin’s Friends Dodged Sanctions With Help of Western Enablers

20 Jun 2023  |  istories.media  |  English  |  Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, childhood friends of Vladimir Putin, leveraged their connections to amass significant wealth through state contracts. Following the 2014 sanctions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Rotenbergs employed complex schemes to protect their assets, aided by Western lawyers, bankers, and corporate service providers. Leaked emails reveal the involvement of key figures like Maxim Viktorov in orchestrating these efforts, including the use of proxies and secretive investment vehicles. Despite regulatory scrutiny, the Rotenbergs managed to maintain their wealth, highlighting the challenges in enforcing sanctions effectively.

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Sberbank OCCRP Royal United Services Institute SMP Bank Central Bank of Russia

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