The European Union is preparing to approve the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027. The package also targets Russian banks, lenders in Central Asia, and cryptocurrency exchanges, expanding trade restrictions and blacklisting oil tankers.
Austria has agreed to support the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, removing an obstacle to the vote on October 20 in Luxembourg. Vienna had previously blocked the decision, demanding the unfreezing of some Russian assets to compensate for losses incurred by Raiffeisen Bank International.
Austria has suspended the adoption of the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, demanding the unfreezing of Rasperia Trading assets to compensate Raiffeisen Bank. The bank seeks to recover 2.1 billion euros it lost due to a Russian court decision.
The Hungarian government has changed its position and agreed to ban Russian liquefied natural gas supplies to EU countries. However, Slovakia and Austria remain the main obstacles to approving the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
EU governments have agreed to restrict travel for Russian diplomats within the bloc in response to a surge in sabotage, often led by spies operating under diplomatic cover. This is part of a new package of sanctions being developed by Brussels, which requires unanimous support.
One of Russia's most mysterious billionaires, Ibrahim Suleymanov, has been detained in Moscow on suspicion of committing several serious murders. He is also being investigated for involvement in the murder of Gennady Borisov, head of the trade union committee of Vnukovo Airlines.
The EU plans to unfreeze €2 billion worth of Strabag shares linked to Deripaska to compensate Raiffeisen Bank International. This decision is prompted by a fine the bank was forced to pay in Russia.
Russia is developing a plan to nationalize and quickly sell off foreign assets if the European Union confiscates frozen Russian funds. The President of the Russian Federation signed a decree allowing the express sale of state assets in response to "unfriendly" actions by foreign states.
Raiffeisen Bank International failed to sell a stake in its Russian business as Moscow seeks to maintain a financial bridge with the West. Russian officials fear Western sanctions against the bank if it is sold.
On August 20, an IT Meets gathering took place, where IT leaders and experts discussed business cybersecurity. Participants shared experiences and offered solutions for data protection in the face of digital risks.
Foreign businesses paid over $20 billion in taxes to the Kremlin in 2024, enough to finance a million Russian soldiers. Since 2022, this amount has reached $60 billion, which is half of Russia's military budget for 2025.
The Ukrainian banking system ended the first half of 2025 with a profit of UAH 100. 06 billion before tax. However, 13 banks remain unprofitable, and every fifth market participant is operating at a loss.
Ukrainian business operates under conditions of war, crisis, and migration, while simultaneously preserving jobs, forming new approaches to team management, reintegrating veterans into professional life, and supporting mental health.
From June, the limit on card-to-card transfers will be reduced to UAH 100,000. This will affect those who conduct business activities without paying taxes.
Raiffeisen Bank has frozen attempts to sell its Russian division amid a possible resumption of political relations between the US and Russia. The process is complicated by lawsuits.
The National Bank of Ukraine is abolishing the limit of 150,000 hryvnias on transfers between cards.
Austrian Raiffeisen Bank transferred 9 billion euros to Russia in January-February 2022. The funds were provided in the form of euros, dollars and Swiss francs, probably to support the Russian economy.
