NL Minister Sigrid Kaag open to tougher sanctions

Brussels The Dutch government is committed to tightening sanctions against Russia. “The Netherlands is open to excluding more banks from Swift,” said Dutch Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag in an interview with Handelsblatt and other European media. The EU recently uncoupled several Russian banks from the payment service provider Swift, but spared individual institutions such as … Read more

Battles for Mariupol – Russian troops continue to advance towards Kyiv

New York, Düsseldorf During the night of Sunday, fighting in Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, concentrated on the southern Ukrainian port of Mariupol and the area around the capital Kyiv. Mariupol, besieged by Russian troops, reported dramatic conditions after a failed ceasefire. In addition, the Russian army continued to advance towards Kyiv and other … Read more

World’s largest credit card issuers suspend business in Russia

Visa and Mastercard credit cards Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the two credit card providers are suspending their business in Russia. (Photo: dpa) Washington Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the world’s two largest credit card providers, Visa and Mastercard, are suspending their business in Russia. Visa will work with customers and … Read more

Lowest growth target in 30 years

Peking The Chinese government sees difficult times ahead for the People’s Republic. “This year we face great tasks and many challenges in economic and social development,” said China’s Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday in his speech on the opening day of the so-called “Two Sessions”. It is the second most important political meeting this year … Read more

War in Ukraine sends oil prices skyrocketing

Energy from Russia Buyers around the world are currently trying to buy oil from other countries. (Photo: Archyde.com) Düsseldorf The war in Ukraine, which Russia is waging with increasing severity, is causing oil prices to explode. The North Sea variety Brent has risen to $113, the highest level since July 2014. The US variety WTI … Read more

Russian news agency mistakenly celebrates victory

Screenshot by Ria Novosti The comment quickly disappeared from the site, but can still be found in the web archive. Berlin As has just become known, the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti published a comment on Russia’s victory over Ukraine on Saturday morning. “A new world is emerging before our eyes,” it says. Russia … Read more

Putin’s vassals in Latin America stand firmly with Moscow

TV broadcast of a speech by Daniel Ortega Nicaragua’s President supports recognition of separatist areas. (Photo: Archyde.com) Mexico City Even if most of the world condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Vladimir Putin can count on his vassals in Latin America. Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, all of which are also economically dependent on Russia, … Read more

EU tightens sanctions against Russia’s financial system – but not completely

Demonstration in London Broad wave of solidarity. (Foto: imago images/ZUMA Wire) Düsseldorf, New York, Brussels, Berlin, Frankfurt The EU, US and other Western allies further isolated Russia’s financial system over the weekend. First, they want to freeze the assets of the Russian central bank. On the other hand, the country’s most important credit institutions are to … Read more