A day after first direct talks between officials, Kremlin says Putin-Zelensky meeting possible only after pact
The Kremlin said Saturday a meeting between Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky would be possible only after both sides reach an agreement, a day after the first direct talks between the two countries in more than three years.
Shell profit up on high oil prices
Revenue rallied 51 percent to $84.2 billion.Russia practises nuclear-capable missile strikes: ministry
The announcement came on the 70th day of Moscow's military action in the pro-Western country.EU members seek opt-outs from Russian oil embargo
European officials were preparing a new package of sanctions Tuesday to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, but some members are jockeying to opt out of an oil embargo. Several EU officials and European diplomats in Brussels told AFP that they expected the European Commission to hand over the...Eurozone unemployment hits new historic low in March
The unemployment rate in the eurozone reached its lowest level ever recorded in March, the EU's official statistics agency said on Tuesday. Eurostat said 6.8 percent of the workforce were without a job, down 0.1 percentage point from February. The February figure was revised upwards fractionally from the 6.8 percent...Sanction-hit Russian carmaker asks Iran for spare parts: Report
A Russian carmaker has asked Iran to supply it with key components it cannot access due to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Tehran's state media reported. Hossein Bahrainian, from the Iranian Auto Parts Makers Association, said a Russian automaker had enquired about purchasing parts, without specifying the company by...European Union readies for end of Russia gas, warns won’t pay in ruble
The European Union warned member states Monday to prepare for a possible complete breakdown in gas supplies from Russia, insisting it would not cede to Moscow's demand that imports be paid for in rubles. The European Commission will on Tuesday propose to member states a new package of sanctions to...Nigeria says seeking funding for gas pipeline to Morocco
Nigeria and Morocco are still securing funding for a huge pipeline project that aims to carry Nigeria's gas to North Africa and onto European markets, the country's petroleum minister said on Monday. Africa's gas supplies are increasingly in the spotlight as the European Union looks to wean itself off Russia's...Russia steps up Ukraine fight as EU braces for gas paucity
The United States has been warning that Russia is preparing to formally annex regions in Ukraine’s east, while the European Union has told member states to brace for a complete breakdown in Russian gas supplies as it prepared a new package sanctions.European Union shores up defense against Russia energy threats
European Union ministers met Monday to respond to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria -- and discuss plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine. The energy ministers from the 27 member states were coordinating efforts to counter what Brussels has branded the Kremlin's...Finland firm scraps nuclear plant deal with Russia
Finnish-led consortium Fennovoima said on Monday it has terminated a contract with Russian group Rosatom to build Finland's third nuclear power plant, citing risks linked to the Ukraine war.Turkey envoy meets Zelensky in Ukraine amid mediation
Turkey hosted a meeting between Moscow and Kyiv negotiators in Istanbul and another between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Antalya in March. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is now trying to pave the way for an Istanbul summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and...Russia urges US, NATO to halt Kyiv arms supply: state media
Russia's foreign minister urged the US and NATO to stop supplying Kyiv with arms if they are "really interested in resolving the Ukraine crisis", Chinese state media reported Saturday. Months into an invasion that failed in its short-term aim of capturing Kyiv, Moscow is now intensifying operations in Ukraine's eastern...US calls for ‘immediate’ end to Libya oil shutdowns
Libya's reduced output also comes as global oil prices remain under pressure since Russia, an OPEC+ producer, invaded Ukraine in February.Ukraine war to hit MENA’s poor nations, boost oil-producers: IMF
The International Monetary Fund's 2022 growth forecast for the region, which includes Arab countries and Iran, was forecast at 5.0 percent, up from the 4.1 percent prediction for this year made in October.Turkey may still buy missile system from Russia
NATO member Turkey said it was still talking to Russia about procuring the second batch of one of its most advanced missile defense systems despite the war in Ukraine.Russia boycott echoes in UAE retail market
Chanel stores in the UAE reportedly refused to sell products to Russian customers unless they signed a document committing not to use the products in Russia.Russia warns of WW3 as West plans more arms for Ukraine
For months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been asking Western allies for heavy weapons, vowing that his forces could turn the tide of the war with more firepower. The calls appear to be resonating now, with a host of NATO countries pledging to provide a range of heavy weapons and...Putin congratulates Macron, wishes him ‘success’: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election and defeat of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, the Kremlin said Monday, as tensions remain over the Ukraine conflict. Macron was one of the few Western leaders to contact Putin since Moscow moved troops into Ukraine.Top US officials visit Kyiv as Mariupol ‘on the brink’
The United States' top diplomat and defence chief were in Ukraine's capital Sunday, Kyiv said, making the first high-level visit by US officials since Russia invaded two months ago as hundreds remain trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol. The trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary...Morocco prime minister’s petrol business at center of dispute
Soaring fuel prices in Morocco have placed billionaire petrol magnate Aziz Akhannouch -- who is also prime minister -- at the heart of a reignited debate about the conflict between business and politics. For the first time since the war in Ukraine led to a global jump in crude prices,...UN chief to visit Turkey before trips to Russia and Ukraine
Turkey has been trying to negotiate an end to the conflict between the two countries, hosting meetings between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in its capital Istanbul, as well as a summit between the two countries' foreign ministers in Antalya.Hopes down for Easter truce in Ukraine as Russia presses on
Russian forces, which withdrew from around Kyiv and the north of Ukraine earlier this month after being frustrated in their attempts to take over the capital, already occupy much of the eastern Donbas region and the south.After Moscow visit, UN chief to meet Zelensky in Ukraine
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine next week after a stop in Moscow to confer with President Vladimir Putin about the war, the UN said Friday. Guterres will see Zelensky and Ukraine's foreign minister on Thursday, two days after visiting Moscow, the United...Eurozone posts growth in April despite Ukraine war
Economic growth in the eurozone accelerated and hit a seven-month high in April, a key survey showed on Friday, despite concerns about inflation and Russia's war in Ukraine. Meanwhile goods and services prices rose at an unprecedented rate in April amid another near-record rise in firms' costs.Italy to scale down its dependence on Russian gas
Italy is ethically obliged to stop buying Russian gas "soon" as the payments are funding the Ukraine war, the country's Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said in an interview Thursday. The minister is currently on a two-day trip to Angola and Congo Republic seeking energy deals as Italy scrambles to...Putin hails ‘liberation’ of Mariupol, but nixes steel plant raid
President Vladimir Putin said the ‘liberation’ of Mariupol was a ‘success’ for Russian forces, but also ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to call off the planned storming of the Azovstal industrial area, dismissing it as "impractical". Around 2,000 Ukrainian forces are still in the plant.Oil prices up as traders weigh demand and supply issues
Oil began inching upward on Thursday after a day of losses over demand concerns linked to the Covid-19 lockdown in China. Ongoing restrictions in the country, including in the economic hub of Shanghai where tens of millions are confined to their homes, have hit transport networks but traders are balancing...Ukraine vows to fight to the end in Mariupol as ultimatum expires
Ukraine on Sunday vowed to fight to the end in Mariupol after a Russian ultimatum expired for remaining forces to surrender in the Black Sea port city where Moscow is pushing for a major strategic victory. "The city still has not fallen," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said hours after Moscow's...Temporary aid can offset inflation hit to families: IMF official
Faced with surging inflation that is hitting poor families especially hard, which has sparked unrest in some countries, policymakers should take immediate steps to offset the pain with targeted and temporary relief, IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said Tuesday. "We've seen already in some countries people protesting when they see...Credit Suisse ‘faces’ Q1 loss
The Swiss banking giant said it has taken a hit from the Ukraine war, litigation.European car sales take a hit from Ukraine war
European car sales sank in March as Russia's invasion of Ukraine added more problems to a sector already struggling with shortages of semiconductors, industry data showed Wednesday. Passenger car registrations fell 20.5 percent compared to the same period last year, with 844,187 units sold, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers'...Egypt turns to India to import much needed wheat
Egypt will import wheat from India to compensate for the loss of wheat supplies from Ukraine and Russia, the north African nation's main sources of wheat. El-Said Marzouq El-Qosair, Egypt’s minister of agriculture and land reclamation, said this comes within the framework of the state’s efforts to secure new sources...Saudi Arabia wants political solution to Russia-Ukraine conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, April 16, called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.France urges cooperation with Algeria after Russia-Ukraine crisis
France and Algeria have been attempting to improve their ties after a diplomatic crisis.European Space Agency cuts lunar mission cooperation with Russia
The European Space Agency on Wednesday ended cooperation with Russia on three missions to the Moon due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, following a previous decision to do the same for a Mars mission. The ESA said it would "discontinue cooperative activities" on Luna-25, 26 and 27, a series of...Volkswagen posts Q1 profit
The German auto giant said operating profit rose to $9.3bn.World Bank says war in Ukraine raising risks for Middle East
The war in Ukraine has "multiplied risks" for the Middle East and North Africa's poorer countries by raising food and energy prices, the World Bank said, warning of potential social unrest. In its latest update the development lender said inflationary pressures set off by Covid-19 "are likely to be exacerbated"...IMF says Ukraine war slowing economic growth worldwide
The war in Ukraine has undercut the global recovery, slowing expected economic growth in most countries in the world, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday. Families already were struggling with higher energy and food prices and "the war has made this much worse."ECB contends with high inflation and weak growth
European Central Bank policymakers meet on Thursday faced with the challenge of threading a response between record-high inflation figures and weak growth due to the war in Ukraine.Biden gives ‘crime scene’ Ukraine $800m to hold off Russia
US President Joe Biden announced an $800 million military aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday as international prosecutors declared the war-torn Western ally a "crime scene" amid fears of a massive revamped Russian assault. The Russian military has threatened to strike Ukraine's command centers in the capital Kyiv if Ukrainian...IEA lowers world oil demand outlook on China lockdowns
Russian oil supply, meanwhile, is expected to continue to fall in April by 1.5 million barrels per day amid its invasion of Ukraine, according to the IEA, which advises developed countries on their energy policies.Biden accuses Putin’s forces of ‘genocide’ in Ukraine
President Joe Biden for the first time Tuesday accused Vladimir Putin's forces of committing genocide in Ukraine, where Russia was intensifying its campaign to subdue the devastated port city of Mariupol. Biden's accusation came as Moscow -- already accused by the West of widespread atrocities against civilians -- was feared...OPEC cuts 2022 world oil demand forecast due to Ukraine war
In a monthly report, the OPEC said world demand would rise by 3.67 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2022, down 480,000 bpd from its previous forecastFrom Denmark to Portugal, Europe ups effort to quit Russian gas
In Denmark, large black pipes are about to be buried in a muddy trench, as construction of a gas pipeline from Norway to Poland resumes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. From plans for liquefied natural gas terminals in northern Germany, Finland and France to potential new routes through Spain and...WTO: War in Ukraine could halve 2022 global trade growth
Russia's invasion created a crisis of 'immense proportions' and a 'severe blow' to the global economy. Russia's war in Ukraine could almost halve world trade growth this year and drag down global GDP growth too, the World Trade Organization (WTO) projected Monday. The WTO said that the Russian invasion dealt...Italy PM in Algeria seeking gas to reduce Russia reliance
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in gas powerhouse Algeria on Monday as Rome steps up efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on Russian energy imports. Italy buys the vast majority of its natural gas from overseas, with over 40 percent of those imports coming from Russia. But the war...Ericsson pulls out of Russia
Swedish firm said it was suspending its operations.Russia’s alarming hold over German energy infrastructure
The war in Ukraine has exposed not only Germany's dependence on Russian gas, but also the large share of Russian capital in the country's oil refineries, pipelines and other gas infrastructure. Energy deals with Russia were long seen as part of a German policy of keeping the peace through cooperation...Future uncertain for Germany refinery fed on Russian oil
The PCK refinery in Germany has been processing crude oil from Russia since before reunification, but a looming ban on Russian oil has put its future in doubt.Egypt inflation rises to 12.1 percent as foreign reserves dip
Egypt’s annual inflation rate hit 12.1 percent in March, official figures showed Sunday, as foreign reserves declined by $4 billion during the same month, according to the central bank. "The annual headline inflation rate recorded 12.1 percent for March 2022, compared to 4.8 percent for the same month last year,"...