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IMF Head warns of economic impact of Ukraine Crisis on Africa

IMF Head warns of economic impact of Ukraine Crisis on Africa

African economies are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of war in Ukraine, says IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva. The remarks come two weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent financial markets into steady decline, leaving African economies with high food and fuel prices. “The war and the unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia are having far-reaching consequences. They come at a delicate time for Africa.”, she stated at a closed virtual press briefing on Thursday.
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Analysis
Ukraine poses a dilemma to the three South Caucasus countries, but they have still one important card they can play

Ukraine poses a dilemma to the three South Caucasus countries, but they have still one important card they can play

Dennis Sammut, Director of LINKS Europe and Managing Editor of Commonspace.eu discusses how the countries of the South Caucasus have reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and what they should do next. “In the present circumstances, the strongest card that the three countries have, if they choose to play it, is regional co-operation and an informal loosely co-ordinated common approach”, he says. All the Russian strategy in the South Caucasus in the last thirty years has been built  on the premise of adversity and unhealthy competition between and within the three countries. Debunking this will be a major victory for all the countries and people in the region.
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Editorial
MARIUPOL: the name of a city etched in history with the blood of its people

MARIUPOL: the name of a city etched in history with the blood of its people

The war in Ukraine is likely to continue for some time, and after that it will be an uneasy peace that will follow. For Ukrainians this is an existential battle - whether they want their country to continue to live. For the Kremlin it is existential too. A humiliating defeat in Ukraine will seriously undermine the legitimacy of the regime. There are therefore likely to be many battles ahead, many heroic Ukrainian cities to add to the catalogue of history. But for sure Mariupol's name will forever be associated with the heroism of its people, with the war crimes committed by the Kremlin in Ukraine, and with the futility and irrationality of war.
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News
Russian Banks look east for salvation

Russian Banks look east for salvation

In addition to the moves towards UnionPay, some Russian companies are now accepting payments in Yuan, and there is talk of Russia turning to CIPS, the Chinese equivalent of SWIFT. The Russian pivot towards the Yuan and Chinese financial systems could reduce the dominance of the US Dollar in global transactions. In addition to the moves towards UnionPay, some Russian companies are now accepting payments in Yuan, and there is talk of Russia turning to CIPS, the Chinese equivalent of SWIFT. The Russian pivot towards the Yuan and Chinese financial systems could reduce the dominance of the US Dollar in global transactions.