Business
EU extends tariff-free trade with Ukraine
The EU has extended its suspension of all tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural food imports until June 2025
ECB pressuring banks to leave Russia
The European Central Bank is continuing to urge EU lenders to cease operations in Russia and exit the sanctioned country
2,000% surge in luxury car sales to ex-Soviet republic ‘not about Russia’ – UK auto lobby
A UK carmakers’ group says a growth in exports to Azerbaijan has nothing to do with bypassing Russia-related sanctions
German living standards in ‘unprecedented post-WW2 slump’ – report
The EU energy crisis triggered the steepest decline in German living standards since the Second World War
Revenues double at Russian McDonald’s replacement
Russian fast-food chain Vkusno i Tochka saw revenues soar to almost $1.7 billion last year, according to company data
EU preparing tariffs on Russian grain – FT
The EU is planning to impose 50% tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus, the FT has reported
France backs push to curb grain imports from Ukraine – Politico
France has joined Poland’s protectionist stance on Ukrainian grain imports ahead of negotiations on EU trade with the country, Politico says
Ukraine won’t extend Russian gas transit deal – official
Kiev has no plans to negotiate a new contract on Russian gas transit, its energy minister has announced
Iran inks $13 billion worth of new oil deals
Iran is planning to increase daily oil production by signing new deals worth $13 billion for the development of the country’s biggest fields
Oil prices hit four-month high
Oil prices soared to $86 on Monday amid strong economic data from China and Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian oil refineries
AI could poison Apple: Is the company’s innovation engine running out of steam?
Apple’s stock price has slumped in recent months as the company falls behind its rivals in AI development
EU members oppose plan to arm Kiev with Russian money – Politico
An EU plan to use the profits from Russia’s frozen assets to buy arms for Kiev has faced resistance from some bloc members, Politico says
Expanded BRICS will keep ‘trademark’ name – Moscow
The BRICS economic bloc will keep its ‘trademark’ name after expansion, a top Russian diplomat has said
Putin calls off nationalization of Danone Russia
The French food giant’s Russia business has been removed from a list of assets placed under temporary state control
Oil industry will be swamped with work ‘for another 100 years’ – Putin
The world will continue to use hydrocarbons for years to come despite talk of renewable energy, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said
Russia’s response to asset seizure could trigger global financial collapse – Reuters
Brussels’ plan to fund Kiev with Russia’s money could backfire, potentially jeopardizing global financial system, an EU official has said