India's holdings of US Treasury securities have fallen to a near six-year low of $181 billion in April, as the Reserve Bank of India diversifies its foreign asset portfolio by increasing gold reserves to 881 metric tonnes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin assures that Russia's security, citizen safety, and border integrity will be maintained despite Western sanctions and alleged Ukrainian terrorist attacks.
Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Alexander Trofimov stated that Russia's goal is to systematically nullify the effect of Western sanctions by diversifying foreign trade, establishing alternative mechanisms, and switching to national currencies for settlements.
Crimea declared an "emergency situation" due to fuel shortages and power cuts from Ukrainian aerial attacks. Russia reported shooting down 660 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine plans domestic AI computing capacity with Kyivstar, and both nations swapped 160 captured soldiers.
Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov accuses the West of using military, political, propaganda, and economic means to contain competitors globally and regionally, while deliberately undermining the international legal order.
Russia's ambassador to Havana, Viktor Coronelli, pledged continued political and financial support for Cuba, despite facing its own sanctions. Events are planned to celebrate Fidel Castro's 100th birthday and Russia's role as guest of honor at the Havana International Book Fair.
Russia and Belarus will coordinate foreign policy and discuss measures to counter Western sanctions during Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Minsk on June 14-15. The talks will focus on ensuring financial and technological sovereignty amidst 'sanctions war.'
Oil prices surged as Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Akmal stated the country has secured fuel supply until end-July, rejecting shortage concerns and noting Petronas' role in assessing refinery readiness for diverse crude sources.
Western nations imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers and far-right ministers, but critics argue the measures are 'too little, too late,' failing to address systemic state complicity in the occupation of Palestinian territories and leaving key architects of the expansion untouched.
An Irish economic analyst believes the EU's discussion on freezing Russian oil price caps indicates the collapse of Western sanctions. Meanwhile, leaked remarks suggest Zelensky promised Ukrainian colleagues Republican defeat in US elections, and he also stated the US hasn't responded to his request for air defense ammunition.
Russia and Brazil are developing measures to facilitate financial flows and counter Western sanctions, aiming to support growing trade. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin are actively working on these initiatives.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is on a three-day state visit to Russia, meeting President Vladimir Putin and seeking trade, tourism, and minerals deals. This visit, the first by a Tanzanian leader since 1969, aims to bolster relations and counter Western sanctions and influence.
The Russian ruble-backed A7A5 stablecoin has processed over $110 billion in transactions, capturing 43% of the non-US dollar market. Despite EU sanctions, its growth highlights blockchain's role in sanctions evasion, with reserves held outside Western reach.
Russia views Western sanctions as an attempt to increase economic pressure on Russia and its partners, asserting its resilience and global connections. Many Western individuals face obstacles preventing their attendance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Kyrgyzstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev stated that the country considers Western sanctions illegal but is engaged in successful dialogue with the EU and US regarding them.
Russia and the Philippines are strengthening their economic partnership despite Western sanctions, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko. He highlighted the effective work of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.
French authorities seized the Russian oil tanker Tagor, suspected of sailing under a false flag to circumvent sanctions. President Macron condemned the act, while Moscow called the seizure "illegal international piracy."
India continues to engage with Myanmar's military junta, prioritizing its own security interests over Western sanctions imposed after the 2021 coup. An invitation to Myanmar's leader is seen as de facto recognition of his status.
A UAE-based company, Telesun, allegedly facilitated the procurement of advanced Chinese satellite communication equipment for Iran's IRGC Aerospace Force, used in drone and missile programs. The shipment was routed through Dubai, with evidence suggesting the use of 'spoofing' to conceal its final destination in Iran.
The Chinese military must increase the private sector’s role in research to prevent Western sanctions from “strangling” the country’s efforts at defence innovation, a top official of the People’s Liberation Army has urged. Zhang Zhan, political commissar of the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), said China’s hi-tech industries were facing a “grim and complex” situation as the United States and its allies intensified their campaign to curb access to technology. “[Western] technical...
BRICS foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in New Delhi from May 14-15 ahead of the bloc's summit on September 10-11. Payment connectivity and trade settlements are expected to be among the issues on the agenda. An expert said a decentralized financial payments system within BRICS could provide immunity against Western economic leverage and dollar volatility.
President Vladimir Putin stated that Western sanctions against Russian entrepreneurs sometimes affect even distant relatives, reaching to "third elbow relation" (extended family). Speaking in Moscow, Putin emphasized that the Russian economy has been operating under serious external challenges for many years, including difficult economic conditions, illegitimate sanctions and other adverse circumstances.
Maxim Oreshkin said that Russia stopped paying for expensive services from the Western financial system and built new mechanisms
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Western sanctions had not played their part
