Energy infrastructure protected while fighting continues; Putin demands end to Western aid as Zelenskyy seeks seat at negotiating table
Russia
Latest in Russia
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin agrees to energy infrastructure ceasefire after Trump call
Russian President accepts partial truce halting attacks on energy facilities for 30 days, but refuses to back wider ceasefire proposal
Aviation
Etihad announces new Abu Dhabi to Moscow flights
Etihad introducing new Abu Dhabi to Moscow flights in boost for UAE-Russia connectivity
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire: Zelenskyy agrees to halt fighting for 30 days in US-brokered deal
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire proposal emerges from Saudi talks as Zelenskyy accepts Trump plan and awaits Putin decision
geopolitics
Saudi Arabia hosts Russia-US talks on Ukraine peace plan
Zelenskyy cancels planned Saudi visit as Ukraine demands security pledges, European leaders seek guarantees
Moscow
Moscow looks to attract UAE travellers as tourism surges
Visitors from the UAE to Moscow have increased from 5,000 to 40,000 in just two years
Aviation
Jazeera Airways announces new Kuwait flights to Russia, Egypt and Hungary
Kuwait’s low-cost airline Jazeera Airways will fly to Sochi, Hurghada and Budapest in Summer 2025
crude oil
Indian Oil Corporation buys 7mn barrels of Middle Eastern and African crude amid sanction fears
Spot premiums for Middle East crude extended their rally on Thursday to their highest in more than two years
Air Arabia
Air Arabia launches Abu Dhabi to Yekaterinburg flights in boost to UAE-Russia network
Air Arabia begins flights from Abu Dhabi to Yekaterinburg
Air Arabia
Air Arabia announces Sharjah to Sochi flights
Air Arabia boosts UAE to Russia network with Sharjah to Sochi flights
Armenia
UAE looks to boost $13.7bn trade with Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan bloc
UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union conclude negotiations on economic partnership between Gulf nation and Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Bahrain
UAE announces major investment and transport strategies; Visa-free travel to Qatar, Golden Visas in Bahrain, Dubai targets $272bn real estate market – 10 things you missed this week
UAE strategies for transport, investment and real estate, Qatar tourism, Bahrain Golden Visas and more of the biggest stories this week
China
ANALYSIS: Trump’s return could signal new path for Israel, Gaza, Lebanon crisis
Trump victory could mean less proxy wars, business-first diplomacy, and a deal with Putin to rein in Iran – marking a dramatic shift in how the US handles Israel’s conflicts with Gaza and Lebanon, experts say
India
Indian tourists to travel visa-free to Russia starting 2025, says Moscow official
In the first half of 2024, 28,500 Indian travellers visited the Russian capital, which is 1.5 times more than during the same period last year
BRICS
BRICS in Russia: New world order shows the West on the backfoot
As over 30 heads of state gather for the BRICS summit in Russia, we’re witnessing not the isolation of a pariah state, but the emergence of a new global coalition that challenges the very foundation of Western diplomatic power
BRICS
BRICS summit: Members discuss financial plans as Putin calls for USD alternative, false currency claims spread
Overnight social media posts claimed Putin had announced a new BRICS currency to replace the dollar – reports that have not been verified by official sources
BRICS
ANALYSIS: Where Non-Aligned Movement sought neutrality, BRICS builds economic bloc
Unlike the Cold War-era neutrality bloc, the expanded BRICS alliance wielding $45 trillion pushes for a new economic order