Russia has almost doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Central Asia and Afghanistan, reaching 1. 016 million metric tons from January to November 2025. This happened after the EU imposed restrictions on the import of Russian propane and butane in December 2024.
In December, intelligence identified over 150 foreigners from 25 countries recruited into the Russian army, with about 200 more preparing to join. The main sources of recruitment are post-Soviet states and countries of the Global South.
Donald Trump has officially invited the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the G20 summit in Miami. This decision is driven by the strategic interests of the United States in strengthening ties and diversifying supply chains of critical minerals.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni put more than 270 state gifts up for auction, including python skin shoes and an iPad from Zelenskyy. The total value of the lots is about 800,000 euros, and the sale is due to a law prohibiting keeping gifts worth more than 300 euros.
On December 19, in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation, the main gas pipeline "Central Asia - Center" failed due to "ground subsidence. " Gas transportation has been stopped indefinitely, and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine points to a trend in the development of geological processes near objects that finance the war.
Several countries held talks in Iran, agreeing to deepen coordination and calling for the lifting of sanctions against Kabul. Afghanistan, led by the Taliban movement, refused to participate despite an invitation.
Russia has resumed the project of transferring water resources of the Ob River to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This is a modernized version of the Soviet plan to "divert Siberian rivers," which was abandoned due to environmental risks.
NielsenIQ's Russian subsidiary is actively recruiting staff for high-risk markets, including occupied Ukrainian territories and Iran, as revealed by job postings on HH. ru. The company's internal research previously labeled occupied Ukrainian lands as "new Russian regions."
NABU detective Ruslan Magamedrasulov is a suspect in two criminal proceedings: regarding entrepreneurial activity involving the cultivation of industrial hemp and its sale to Dagestan, as well as possible assistance to "conversion centers. " The Kyiv Court of Appeal changed his pre-trial detention from custody to personal recognizance, which the Prosecutor General's Office explains by reduced risks and sufficient evidence.
The translator of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban omitted an important sentence during a meeting with Putin in Moscow. This led to a distortion of the Russian dictator's statement on international issues.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law completely banning the circulation of vapes and electronic cigarettes. Violations are punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Montenegro plans to align its visa policy with EU standards, which is a requirement for accession to the European Union. The country will tighten visa rules for Russian citizens, who can currently travel without a visa for up to 30 days.
Political expert Mykhailo Shnaider stated that Ruslan Magamedrasulov, a NABU detective, should not escape criminal liability for trading technical hemp with the Russian Federation. Attempts to use the Mindich case to avoid punishment are groundless, as Magamedrasulov had no connection to it.
Prosecutors have sent an indictment to court against a witness in the case of NABU detective Ruslan Magamedrasulov. The witness provided false information regarding a conversation with the suspect, which has been confirmed by expert examinations.
Ukraine joined the UNESCO Executive Board for 2025-2029, receiving 137 votes at the 43rd session of the General Conference in Samarkand. Russia dropped out of the race, having received the fewest votes.
Donald Trump announced a trade agreement between the US and Uzbekistan. It envisages investments of over $100 billion in the American economy over ten years.
US President Donald Trump stated that Kazakhstan will join the "Abraham Accords," which entails establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. This step, though symbolic, aims to give impetus to the agreements, which have been paused due to the war in Gaza.
At least 12 people have died and about 150 were injured in a 6. 3 magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan. The tremors were also felt in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
A 6. 3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, also felt in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. According to USGS estimates, the earthquake could cause hundreds of casualties, and the USGS PAGER system has issued an orange alert.
Yusuf Mameshev, a witness in the case of NABU detective Ruslan Magamedrasulov, is being prepared for suspicion of giving knowingly false testimony. The prosecution claims that Mameshev provides unreliable information regarding the discussion of technical hemp supply to Dagestan.
622 legal entities and 855 individual entrepreneurs are engaged in the production of jewelry.
The number of people willing to move to the Russian Federation under the voluntary resettlement program has decreased threefold to 12. 5 thousand people in 2025, which is the lowest figure in 14 years. The main reason for the decline in interest is the fear of forced mobilization and deteriorating living conditions.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is introducing a new automated risk management module that will independently identify enterprises for scheduled inspections in 85 areas. This will reduce administrative pressure on conscientious companies and ensure transparency in inspection planning.
In the first nine months of 2025, foreigners registered 1,648 sole proprietorships in Ukraine. The most active were citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Uzbekistan, with Russians most often ceasing operations.
In the first nine months of 2025, 225,046 new individual entrepreneurs were registered in Ukraine, which is almost on par with last year's figures. However, the number of closed businesses increased by 11%, reaching 213,293.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha met with the Marshal of the Polish Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. They discussed Russian provocations against EU and NATO member states and ways to deter the Kremlin.
The Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Uzbekistan have agreed to resume political dialogue. The parties plan to deepen cooperation in mutually important areas.
Political expert Oleh Posternak refuted the CPC's position in the case of top NABU official Ruslan Magamedrasulov, pointing to numerous pieces of evidence of cannabis sales to Dagestan.
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly has begun in New York and will last until September 29. It will bring together about a hundred presidents and over 40 prime ministers to discuss global challenges and strengthen international cooperation.
An international criminal organization has been exposed in Ukraine that, under the guise of "legal assistance," defrauded over 4,500 citizens of Europe and Central Asia. The damages caused exceed UAH 186 million, and nine participants have been notified of suspicion.
