West is ‘artificially’ blocking Russian grain exports – Lavrov
Western countries are “artificially” preventing Russian grain exports, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday
EU blocks loan to Ukraine – Bloomberg
The European Commission has blocked a €1.5 billion ($1.52 billion) loan to Ukraine, citing fears of a possible default, Bloomberg reports
Euro continues slide toward dollar parity
The euro area’s single currency has fallen to a two-decade low to reach near parity against the US dollar amid fears of a looming recession
Russia expands trade routes with China and India
Russia has set up new shipping routes with China and India to service growing trade, the Global Times reports
Putin comments on West’s reliance on fossil fuels
Russian President Vladimir Putin notes that the West made “a lot of noise” about alternative energy before returning to fossil fuels