... firm stance regarding its sanctions policy. Despite the intensification of diplomatic contacts between Russia and the U.S., sanctions pressure will persist as a tool of political leverage. This also signals to Europe that easing restrictions at the EU level is unlikely in the near future. Tags: sanctions, Russia, U.S., Europe, diplomacy, geopolitics, Ukraine, international relations

... close to an agreement that could prevent the imposition of large new tariffs. Earlier in the week, the US also concluded a separate trade deal with Japan, avoiding tariffs on Japanese cars. Now, European businesses hope for a similar compromise for the EU: uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs significantly reduces appetite for risk. Industrial and automotive giants in Europe are particularly vulnerable, having already incurred costs from tariff confrontations. For instance, recent half-year results ...

... months of 2024, amounting to an absolute growth of 66 billion rubles. This was partly due to the stabilization of gas exports to Europe. According to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG), Gazprom's supplies to the EU (including transit deliveries to Serbia and North Macedonia) averaged 97 million cubic meters per day in Q1 2024 and 96 million cubic meters per day in Q2. For comparison, the same figures for the first two quarters of 2023 were 67 million cubic meters ...

... second day of the EU-China summit in Beijing. Leaders of the European Union and China continue negotiations on trade and economic cooperation, investments, and climate initiatives. The summit marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, taking place against the backdrop of recent trade disagreements. Investors are watching for final statements: any signals of enhanced cooperation or, conversely, escalating trade tensions could influence global sentiment, particularly concerning ...

... indices ended the week with moderate gains. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose around 0.5%, recovering from external risk declines. The main news was the agreement between Washington and Brussels that has prevented the introduction of new U.S. tariffs on EU goods from August 1. The looming threat of a large tariff war over European automotive industry has receded. Shares of major automakers (Volkswagen, BMW, Stellantis) surged on news of the compromise, as the risk of 25–70% tariffs on car exports to ...