Take a risk, invest in Ukraine says Kiev’s ex-boxer mayor Vitaliy “Iron Fist” Klitschko March 12, 2015 With the usual enormous Russian pavilion conspicuous by its absence at this year's Mipim property bash, Russians have all but deserted the event this year – but their warring partner Ukraine has arrived in force, with Kiev mayor and former world champion boxer Vitaliy Klitschko flying in yesterday to persuade institutions to invest in the [...]
Russia votes to put ground troops in Syria September 30, 2015 Russia's upper house has approved President Vladimir Putin's request to deploy ground troops to Syria. Lawmakers have given unanimous approval for the country's armed forces to enter the war-torn country, paving the way for a rapid intervention, Russia media is reporting. The Russian constitution requires the president to seek permission from the upper house before [...]
Europeans confident growth will return and deflation will end February 5, 2015 THE ECONOMIC climate in Europe is improving rapidly, according to the influential Ifo survey published yesterday. Despite the Greek negotiations and the war in Ukraine, the Ifo’s index monitoring the economic climate improved from 102.3 to 112.7 in the past quarter. The sharp rise takes the index firmly above its long run average of 106.1 points. The [...]
Why migration is necessary to unlock European growth November 12, 2015 The “European model” that has provided security and prosperity across the continent has, for the first time, found itself seriously questioned by a combination of political, economic and fiscal threats. Welfare models across Europe are seen as no longer sustainable. Flows of migrants have accelerated to crisis point. Support for right-wing and nationalistic parties has [...]
EU referendum: Treasury’s Brexit claims rubbished by Vote Leave MP John Redwood April 18, 2016 Conservative MP and Vote Leave campaigner John Redwood has rubbished the Treasury's claims that a Brexit would cost each household £4,300 a year as "absurd". Last night it emerged the government department's analysis into the impact of the UK leaving the European Union – which was published today – would show that Britain's national income could be six [...]
Ukraine’s war hurts Germany September 16, 2014 GERMAN investors are increasingly nervous about the damage to its economy from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the influential Zew index showed yesterday. The index dropped for the ninth consecutive month, falling to a two-year low of 6.9. Any reading of below 24.6 indicates confidence is lower than its long-term average.
As they sign a gas pipeline deal, should Europe fear closer links between Greece and Russia? June 21, 2015 John Lough, associate fellow in Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia programme, says Yes. Russia wants to build the gas pipeline to reduce its dependency on gas transit through Ukraine – around 50 per cent of its gas exports to Europe pass through Ukraine. Greece is assisting Russia in its endeavour, and contributing to weakening Ukraine’s [...]
Nuclear missiles could be coming to Britain following “worrying” rise in Russian military activity June 7, 2015 The UK is willing to consider adopting US intermediate-range weapons in response to “worrying signs” of increasing Russian military activity. Foreign secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC's Andrew Marr show there was “no clear sign” of an imminent attack on Ukraine but Vladimir Putin “has not ruled out a military option”. “As we [...]
A lesson from Putin: Three Ps to stay in power – pride, propaganda and perspective July 17, 2015 Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, the tumbling price of a vital commodity, and a currency in freefall with record high interest rates. Russia’s economy has leaped from one catastrophe to another. Yet one thing remains: President Vladimir Putin holds the reigns. Putin’s approval rating is now at a record 89 per cent. And while [...]
UK is “feeble” in the face of military threats from around the world, former commanders warn June 14, 2015 The UK is weak against military threats from around the world, according to four former commanders of the Armed Forces. Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, Admiral Lord Boyce, Field Marshal Lord Walker and Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire said in a joint letter that Britain's global influence is declining, and expressed their concern at [...]