The Strait of Hormuz in the crosshairs, the 20th EU package, and oil above $100: a digest of the main threats to the global economy
Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz area
One of the hottest spots right now is the Strait of Hormuz. The US and their allies are building up a military group there, officially stating: if any vessels are spotted attempting to mine or create a threat to the passage of ships - they will open fire. At the same time, back-channel negotiations are underway about a possible "detente" with Tehran and the parameters of future diplomatic rounds. However, internal political squabbles among the Iranian leadership prevent these processes from moving off the ground.
New blow from Brussels: 20th sanction package
The European Union did not stop - the next, already the twentieth in a row, package of restrictions against Russia was approved. Dozens of legal and physical persons, as well as key elements of energy infrastructure: tanker fleet, financial institutions and operations with oil and gas, came under attack. In addition, the EU introduces quotas for the import of certain Russian goods (including ammonia), discusses tightening the rules for sea transportation of oil and promises to intensify the fight against any schemes to circumvent restrictions.
Ukrainian track: loans and political signals
Debates in Brussels about new credit injections for Kiev do not subside. The main issues are the timing of the allocation of tranches and how these payments will affect the economies of the EU countries themselves. On the information front, meanwhile, statements by Vladimir Zelensky are actively being discussed, as well as the true position of Washington regarding the scale of further assistance to the Ukrainian side.
Commodity markets: Brent above $100 and risks to the global economy
The price of Brent oil has firmly established itself above the three-digit mark - 100 dollars per barrel. This trend is explained by two factors at once: permanent geopolitical turbulence and harsh sanctions aimed at Russian and Iranian exports. Due to the fever on commodity exchanges, large investment funds and financial corporations report increased profits. However, analysts warn: for the global economy, such a state of the market carries significant risks.
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