German bonds hit record low as tensions between Ukraine and Russia simmer August 28, 2014 Investors piled into "safe haven" assets this morning, pushing the German 10-year bond yields to a record low after Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko cancelled a trip to Turkey citing "Russian troop deployments". In a televised statement, Poroshenko said his "place is in Ukraine", adding that he was calling a meeting of the security council "due [...]
Ukraine crisis: President Poroshenko vows commitment to end fighting August 27, 2014 Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has vowed his commitment to end fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country. His announcement followed two hours of direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Belarus; the first time such talks have taken place between the two leaders. "A roadmap will [...]
Ukraine crisis deepens as 100 Russian lorries begin “direct invasion” August 22, 2014 The head of Ukraine's security service Valentyn Nalyvaichenko has said the unauthorised crossing of 100 Russian lorries into Ukrainian territory is tantamount to a "direct invasion", adding it was "under the cynical guise of the Red Cross – these are military vehicles". According to the Red Cross, the lorries crossed the border on Friday without [...]
London Report: FTSE rises as Ukraine-Russia fears subside August 18, 2014 THE FTSE 100 yesterday climbed on the back of investor relief that a feared escalation in the Ukraine crisis had failed to materialise. Tensions spiked on Friday when Ukraine said it had partially destroyed an armoured column that had crossed the border from Russia, triggering a sell-off in global shares. But Moscow made no threat [...]
Ebola outbreak and Ukraine conflict pose threats even as supply chain risk drops to 18-month low August 17, 2014 Geopolitical and major disease risks have had less effect than widely believed on the world economy, with supply chains at their least risky levels for a year and a half. According to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), supply chain risk dropped to an 18-month low in the second quarter of the year, [...]
Russia says Ukraine aid convoy contains no military personnel August 16, 2014 Russia's defence secretary Sergey Shoygu has assured his US counterpart Chuck Hagel that an aid convoy heading for Ukraine contains no military personnel. Western countries have expressed concern that Russia is using the convoy as a pretext for sending more soldiers to the area, but Russia denies these allegations, saying that the purpose of the convoy [...]
Global banks lend £255m to Russia’s Evraz despite Ukraine tensions August 13, 2014 Russian steelmaker Evraz yesterday said it had signed a $425m (£255m) loan from international banks, showing that western institutions were still comfortable doing business there despite increasing tensions over Ukraine. FTSE 250-listed Evraz, which counts oligarch and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich as its largest shareholder, said it had secured the five-year loan with [...]
London Report: FTSE flat as Pru data counter geopolitical tensions in Ukraine August 12, 2014 BRITAIN’S top shares yesterday were pegged back by tension between the west and Russia over Ukraine, although robust results lifted insurance and pensions group Prudential. The FTSE 100 closed down 0.4 of a point – flat in percentage terms – at 6,632.42 points. A convoy of 280 trucks that Russia said were carrying humanitarian aid [...]
Ukraine to block Russian aid convoy August 12, 2014 A Russian aid convoy will be turned back from the Ukrainian border amid fears the mission may be used to send in soldiers. The Ukrainian government has said that the convoy lacks Red Cross (ICRC) certification and will not be allowed to enter the country. If the aid is to cross the border, a Ukrainian [...]
NATO fears Russian aid to Ukraine may disguise invasion August 11, 2014 TENSIONS between Russia and the West threatened to flare up again yesterday as President Putin vowed to press on with plans to send an aid convoy into eastern Ukraine. It comes as the Russian leader, blamed for arming rebels and stoking conflict in the ex-soviet state, has amassed 45,000 troops on the border with its [...]