(2025-09-15). Russia Revives Barter Trade to Bypass Western Sanctions. moderndiplomacy.eu BackgroundBarter trade is making a comeback in Russia for the first time since the 1990s, as the country struggles under the weight of Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the earlier annexation of Crimea in 2014. With over 25,000 sanctions in place, Russia's economy—valued at $2.2 trillion—faces rising inflation, a …
(2025-09-15). Behind the partial opening of borders in Ukraine and the murder of far-right MP Andriy Parubiy. wsws.org The very fact that various political figures are now assassinated with such regularity speaks of a crisis in the entire governance and security system. Simply put, the ruling class cannot rule in the old way.
(2025-09-15). Ukraine drones target Russian refinery. tribune.com.pk 
Ukraine launched a large attack with at least 361 drones targeting Russia overnight, sparking a brief fire at the vast Kirishi oil refinery in Russia's northwest, Russian officials said on Sunday, reporting no injuries. | As world powers talk about how to end the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two the drone war has escalated, with Russian drones downed in NATO-member Poland and attacks by Ukraine against oil refineries and pipelines in Russia, the world's second biggest oil exporter. Russia's defence ministry said at least 361 drones had been shot down by Russian air defence systems, including fo…
(2025-09-15). Russian ambassador to Romania called after drone intrusion. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – Romania's Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, revealed on Sunday that the Russian ambassador to Bucharest had been summoned after a Russian drone was spotted in the country's airspace, AFP reported.According to sources, a Russian drone had entered the airspace of Romania amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Toiu told private TV channel Digi 24 that Russian ambassador Vladimir Lipaev would be summoned to the ministry on Sunday evening to "clearly communicate Romania's protest" against the drone incident.‚ùóÔ∏èThe footage shows two…
(2025-09-15). Will the US Leave Europe Vulnerable Like Qatar in Drone War? thinktank.pk In the tense skies over Eastern Europe, a swarm of cheap Russian drones pierced Polish airspace on September 10, 2025, triggering NATO's first major aerial scramble since the Ukraine war escalated. Fighter jets roared, Patriots fired, and alarms blared—yet only three or four of the 19 intruders were downed, exposing gaping vulnerabilities in the alliance's …
(2025-09-15). Oil prices rises as Ukraine strikes Russian refineries. tribune.com.pk 
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as investors assessed the impact of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries that could disrupt its crude and fuel exports, while also eyeing US fuel-demand growth. | Brent crude futures rose 47 cents, or 0.7%, to $67.46 a barrel by 0622 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $63.17 a barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.8%. | Read: OPEC+ output hike pushes up crude prices amid Russian supply risks | Both contracts gained more than 1% last week as Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, including the largest oil exporting terminal, Primorsk, a…
(2025-09-15). Romania summons Russian ambassador over drone 'threat'. tribune.com.pk 
Romania on Sunday strongly condemned the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine, with the foreign ministry summoning Moscow's ambassador over the incident. | The incursion comes days after fellow NATO member Poland said it had shot down Russian drones which had violated its airspace as Moscow launched a barrage against Ukraine. | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin of "testing" Romania and wanting to "bring the war" to Poland and the Baltic with the intrusions. | Earlier on Sunday, NATO member Romania had said that Moscow's actions pose a "new…
(2025-09-15). Kirishi refinery in Russia halts operations on vital unit after Ukraine strike. moderndiplomacy.eu A major oil refinery in Kirishi, Russia, stopped a key processing unit after a Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend. Ukraine is increasing assaults on Russia's energy infrastructure to weaken its military efforts as peace talks remain stalled. The Kirishinefteorgsintez plant, run by Surgutneftegaz, was specifically targeted in the drone strike. The governor of Leningrad …
(2025-09-15). The European Union of jittery states. strategic-culture.su United States President, Donald Trump, invited Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to the White House on Monday, August 18, 2025. The purpose was to brief the latter on the outcome of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin three days earlier. Trump had already briefed Zelenskyy on phone and thought a meeting to finalise a possible trilateral summit with Putin was necessary.
(2025-09-15). Polish president critical of Germany to visit Berlin. tribune.com.pk 
Polish President Karol Nawrocki is due in Berlin for talks on Tuesday, with his past criticism of Germany looming over Warsaw's diplomatic drive to bolster allied support after a Russian drone incursion. | Poland is seeking greater military and political backing after its army, together with its NATO allies, scrambled jets to down Russian drones violating its airspace early on Wednesday. | While Russia denied targeting its eastern European neighbour, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned his country was closer to "open conflict" than at any point since World War II in the wake of the intrusion. | Nawrocki […
(2025-09-15). An 'Arab Nato'? Israel's air strikes on Qatar may have just brought it to life. scmp.com When Israeli jets tore through Doha's skies last week, striking a residential block that housed Hamas negotiators, they may also have set in motion something Israel has long feared: the birth of an Arab military alliance. | The proposal, under discussion at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit that opened in Doha on Sunday, marks the most serious push towards regional military integration in decades.
(2025-09-15). Senator Scott Says Colombia Risks 'Terrible Consequences' if Petro Doesn't Cooperate With U.S. on Anti-drug Efforts. latintimes.com "If Petro continues on this path, we will have to reconsider, because dollars from our government will no longer flow in the same way to Colombia," added Scott…
(2025-09-15). Poland responds to Russian drones incursion by invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty ‚àí what happens next? |
(2025-09-15). Senator Lidia Thorpe: 'Victoria's treaty bill needs to be more inclusive'. greenleft.org.au 
(2025-09-15). Sweden Boosts Defense Spending to 2.8% of GDP, Nearing NATO Target. moderndiplomacy.eu NEWS BRIEF The Swedish government, in a significant move to fortify its national security, has unveiled a plan to increase defense funding by 26.6 billion crowns ($2.87 billion) in its 2026 budget, raising military spending to 2.8% of GDP. This 18% year-on-year surge is part of a sweeping, multi-year escalation that has seen defense allocations …