The Russian foreign ministry has just popped up on Bloomers to say that they will be delivering aid to Ukraine while fully complying with Ukraines wishes on the convoy route and checking aid cargos. They will be making the drop at the Belgorod-Kharkiv border and will be under the supervision of the Red Cross. They are also puzzled by a Ukrainian statement that says the route hasn’t been agreed upon.
Russia has also gone shopping in Latin America, Egypt and Turkey for replacement goods that have been part of the Russian ban on EU imported goods. Egypt is ready to increase agricultural supplies to Russia and possibly create an industrial hub as part of the Suez canal development project.
Turkey has said a Russian delegate will be visiting next week to discuss trade and the Turkish export assembly are rubbing their hands at the prospect of increasing produce exports to Russia
Meanwhile, over the other side, EU self protectionism is on the rise after Finland and Poland were among countries that may seek compensation from the EU for loss of business from the sanctions. Finland had a moan up yesterday that the sanctions were disproportionate and Poland is going to look for compensation for any losses suffered through sanctions. You can expect this sort of talk to increase. It’s a united Europe until someone gets hit in the pocket. Norway is another that is weighing up the possible effect of sanctions on its economy.
So Putin gets proactive to lessen the impact of sanctions while Europe looks to fall into another spell of weakness and moaning, no change there then.
I had a poll back at the end of July asking if Putin would fold under sanctions. 148/196 votes said “No” and I was one of them. What we’re going to see here is Europe in all it’s glory, i.e shooting itself in the foot once more.
