More sanctions on Russia as oil embargo looms Paid Members Public
New sanctions The U.S. and U.K. imposed new sanctions Tuesday, three days after evidence emerged of the summary execution of civilians by Russian troops in Bucha. * The U.S. focused on the financial sector as it has already imposed an embargo on Russian energy products. The new measures
Peace talks Paid Members Public
A major step forward in Russia-Ukraine peace talks could be imminent. The two sides have yet to sign any agreement, but the basis of the Ukrainan proposals announced on Tuesday in Istanbul has been agreed with Moscow. Only two key issues remain unresolved. The Bell spoke with a source who
Bucha atrocities look set to stymie peace talks Paid Members Public
As Russian troops retreated from areas around the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Chernihiv over the weekend, photos and videos emerged of the summary execution of civilians and mass graves. The most shocking images were from the town of Bucha, just outside Kyiv, that Ukrainian forces retook Saturday. Corpses were
Chubais Out Paid Members Public
Hello! This week the newsletter is about presidential adviser and 1990s reformer Anatoly Chubais who has left Russia in protest against the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine — the most senior Russian official to publicly break with the regime. While a divisive figure for most Russians, Chubais played a key role
Putin rails against 'fifth column' and 'traitors' Paid Members Public
President Vladimir Putin gave a speech Wednesday about a “fifth column” that, he said, should be spat out “like a mosquito swallowed by accident”. As the political atmosphere in Russia gets darker, investigators are opening cases under new laws, and opposition activists are finding the letter ‘Z’ (a patriotic symbol
Fifth column Paid Members Public
Hello! Three weeks into the Kremlin’s so-called ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine, the atmosphere in Russia is getting darker and darker. President Vladimir Putin gave a speech Wednesday about a “fifth column” that, he said, should be spat out “like a mosquito swallowed by accident”. At the same time,
Foreign businesses set for ‘nationalization’ Paid Members Public
Hundreds of foreign companies have announced a partial or total withdrawal from Russia in recent weeks amid continuing fighting in Ukraine. These include: Apple, IKEA, McDonald’s, Microsoft, IBM, Sony, Shell, Porsche, Volkswagen, H&M, Inditex (that includes Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear), Procter & Gamble (that
Flights canceled as aviation industry woes mount Paid Members Public
Russian airlines halted most international flights Wednesday and the government is preparing plans for the de facto nationalization of foreign aircraft. Even domestic aviation faces an uncertain future: sanctions means it will be hard to service planes. * Russia’s aviation authorities are concerned planes could be impounded at foreign airports
