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President urges people to reduce consumption after power line passing through Ukraine damaged by drones; Moscow spring offensive steps up. What we know on day 1,491Moldova declared a state of emergency in the energy sector after a key power line with Europe was disconnected following Russian strikes in Ukraine. The declaration comes into effect on Wednesday and lasts for 60 days. The prime minister, Alexandru Munteanu, appealed to people to “avoid unnecessary consumption, especially during peak hours” and “stay united”, according to a statement from parliament. The former Soviet republic imports electricity from neighbouring EU member Romania, mostly via a power cable that passes through southern Ukraine. Moldovan authorities said crashed drones had been identified in Ukraine near the line and that “demining operations” were needed before repairs could be done. Restoring the power line itself was expected to take up to seven days, the energy minister, Dorin Junghietu was quoted by the Moldovan media outlet Ziarul de Gardă as saying. “Russia alone bears responsibility,” the Moldovan president, Maia Sandu, wrote on X, while the foreign ministry also condemned the Russian attacks. Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since it invaded its neighbour in 2022.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has accused Russia of “absolute depravity” after Moscow fired an unprecedented daytime barrage across Ukraine, including on the historical centre of the western city of Lviv. “Iranian ‘shaheds’ [attack drones], modernised by Russia, are striking a church in Lviv – this is absolute depravity, and only someone like [Vladimir] Putin could find this appealing,” Zelenskyy said in his daily address. “The scale of this attack makes it abundantly clear that Russia has no intention of actually ending this war,” Zelenskyy added, vowing that Ukraine “will certainly respond to any attacks”.Russia’s military said on Wednesday it had shot down 389 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the largest attacks to date. Russian regions bordering Ukraine, as well as Moscow and northwestern Leningrad were the main areas targeted, according to the military.Moscow appears to be stepping up a spring offensive intended to break Ukrainian resistance, writes Pjotr Sauer. Ukrainian officials said Moscow fired nearly 400 long-range drones and 23 cruise missiles overnight, followed by another 556 drones in an unusual daytime assault on Tuesday, hitting cities across the west of the country and killing at least seven people. Taken together, the barrage marks one of the largest aerial bombardments of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion more than four years ago. One Russian drone struck the Bernardine monastery, a 16th-century church in Lviv’s Unesco-listed medieval centre, causing damage, local authorities said.North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, said his country would always support Russia in a thank-you letter to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Ties between the two have grown closer since Putin began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Pyongyang sending ground troops and weapons systems to aid Russia’s war effort. “I express my sincere thanks to you for sending warm and sincere congratulations first on my reassumption of the heavy duty as president of the state affairs,” Kim said in the message on Tuesday, the official Korean central news agency said. “Today the DPRK and Russia are closely cooperating to defend the sovereignty of the two countries,” Kim said, using the initials of the North’s official name. “Pyongyang will always be with Moscow. This is our choice and unshakable will,” he added. South Korean and western intelligence agencies have estimated that the North has sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, primarily to the Kursk region, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems. Analysts say the assistance has been provided in exchange for Russia’s provision of food and weapons technologies. Continue reading...

Shipments to Russian smelters from Aughinish Alumina have increased sharply since the invasion of UkraineA leading Irish metals refinery is part of an international aluminium supply chain that appears to conclude with shipments to arms producers feeding the Kremlin’s war machine in Ukraine, leaked records and public data suggests.Trading records show that shipments to Russian smelters from Aughinish Alumina, which is located on the Shannon estuary in the west of Ireland and has been owned by the Russian aluminium group Rusal since 2006, have increased sharply since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Continue reading...

‘Serious risk of major ecological disaster’ as vessel drifts for weeks after being struck by suspected drone attackA severely damaged Russian tanker carrying liquified natural gas that has been adrift in the Mediterranean for two weeks, raising concerns of a “major ecological disaster”, has floated into Libyan waters, Italy’s civil protection agency said on Wednesday.The Arctic Metagaz was part of a Russian “shadow fleet” used to circumvent sanctions imposed on the country’s oil and gas after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It was struck in a suspected drone attack close to Maltese waters earlier this month, causing a huge hole. The crew is believed to have been rescued between Malta and Libya. Continue reading...

• The Trump administration has suspended sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea, a decision the European Union is actively pushing back against as counterproductive to international pressure on Moscow. • The move reflects competing priorities between managing energy prices during the Iran conflict and maintaining unified sanctions against Russia over its broader geopolitical actions. • EU officials argue that easing Russian oil sanctions undermines the coalition's ability to hold Russia accountable and contradicts the administration's stated commitment to allied coordination.

• NATO leaders have called on President Trump to reverse his decision to suspend sanctions on Russian oil as the Iran conflict creates energy market volatility. • The call reflects concerns among European allies that easing Russian oil sanctions could destabilize energy markets further while undermining coordinated Western policy on Russia. • The disagreement between Trump and NATO allies over Russian sanctions policy during the Iran crisis highlights geopolitical divisions among Western nations at a critical moment.

NATO alliance leaders have called on President Trump to lift the recent suspension of sanctions on Russian oil, citing risks to European security and energy markets following U.S. waivers for stranded cargoes. The plea comes as global gas prices rise, with EU officials pushing back against the U.S. policy shift. Transatlantic friction escalates as Trump prioritizes American consumers, potentially straining alliance unity ahead of summits. Energy experts predict prolonged market volatility if policies remain divergent.

The U.S. under President Trump expanded waivers on Russian oil sanctions to all buyers, including easing restrictions on stranded oil at sea, aiming to tame surging domestic gas prices amid global tensions. EU officials pushed back against the move, while NATO leaders urged reversal of the suspension to pressure Russia. The policy shift matters as it balances inflation control against geopolitical leverage in Ukraine support, potentially providing Russia billions. Next steps include monitoring price impacts and possible congressional pushback before midterms.

EU leaders criticized President Trump's March 13, 2026, decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil, estimating it could provide Moscow with $10 billion for its Ukraine war efforts. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called the move a direct boost to Russia's 'war machine' amid ongoing Middle East escalations. The policy shift exacerbates transatlantic tensions as Poland's President Duda vetoed EU defense loan access. Analysts warn it risks prolonging conflicts on multiple fronts.

EU leaders criticized President Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil, arguing it provides Moscow with $10 billion to support its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated the move 'does not help peace in Ukraine' and enables Russia's war machine. The criticism comes amid Poland's President Duda vetoing legislation for €44 billion in EU defense loans, escalating domestic political tensions. US policy shift highlights transatlantic rift over energy and conflict strategies.

EU leaders criticized President Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil, arguing it provides Moscow with $10 billion to support its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated the move 'does not help peace in Ukraine.' The policy shift occurs amid global energy disruptions from the Iran conflict. Polish President Carolski vetoed legislation for €44 billion in EU defense loans, escalating domestic political tensions.

‘Stopgap measure’ designed to keep oil flowing into global market as Middle East crisis disrupts crude shipmentsBusiness live – latest updatesThe US has temporarily allowed India to buy Russian oil currently stuck at sea in an effort to keep global supplies flowing and temper further price increases.The US treasury has issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil, having previously imposed heavy sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

The US announced a 30-day easing of Russian oil sanctions on March 13, 2026, following a joint international release of record oil reserves that failed to curb barrel prices amid the Iran conflict. This move aims to alleviate rapidly rising energy costs for American consumers as global volatility persists. Despite the releases, oil prices remain elevated due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of world traded oil passes. Analysts warn that prolonged war could exacerbate inflation and economic pressures in the US.

The United States announced a 30-day easing of sanctions on Russian oil on March 13, 2026, following a joint international release of record oil reserves that failed to lower barrel prices amid the Iran war. Global volatility from the conflict, now in its third week, exacerbates inflation pressures worldwide. This temporary measure aims to alleviate rapidly rising US fuel costs, though experts warn it may not suffice as Iran's Strait of Hormuz closure disrupts 20% of global oil trade.

The United States announced a 30-day easing of sanctions on Russian oil exports on March 13, 2026, aiming to alleviate skyrocketing fuel costs amid global supply disruptions from the Iran conflict. Despite a joint international release of record oil reserves this week, barrel prices remain elevated due to the Strait of Hormuz closure. The move seeks to stabilize markets affecting American consumers, where gasoline prices have surged 25% in two weeks. Energy Secretary cited 'extraordinary circumstances' in justifying the temporary relief, with monitoring for compliance.