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Key Takeaways

Russia and Belarus are edging close to default on $40 billion of external bonds. The Russian invasion of Ukraine exposes vulnerability of discounted ESG risks of state behavior. The US is warning that Moscow may be planning a false flag operation using chemical or biological weapons as a pre-text for further escalation. Analysis: Navigating Conflicting Interests, Israel Steps Up as a Mediator in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis. Analysis: Ukraine War Update: Ankara Parley, Bio-Chem Risks, Sanctions Shocks.

Condition Updates

A rundown of important global risk developments in markets, in business, and region by region. 

Analysis: Navigating Conflicting Interests, Israel Steps Up as a Mediator in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

On Saturday, March 5, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took off from Ben Gurion Airport in a private jet headed to Moscow. Bennett’s trip was not announced to the media. Moreover, Bennett an Orthodox Jew, flew on the Sabbath, a day of rest. Bennett met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours in the Kremlin, and when the meeting ended, he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to update him about the issues that came up in the meeting. He then traveled to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and returned to Israel the next day.

Analysis: Ukraine War Update: Ankara Parley, Bio-Chem Risks, Sanctions Shocks

“[T]he decision to grant Ukraine EU membership could be a defining victory for Europe and all of its nations, all of its leaders. After they take such a decision, all Europeans will feel proud of it — proud of standing on the right side of history and of making a moral choice for the ages.” Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, March 9, 2022

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