Russian President Putin calls Ukraine operations preemptive action. COVID-19 lockdowns tighten in Beijing and Shanghai. China-backed AIIB is considering granting $100 million in emergency support to Sri Lanka amid growing instability. Analysis: Risk for Businesses in Meeting Wartime Demand. Analysis: Ukraine War Update: Victory Day Speeches, U2 Concert, New Sanctions.
A rundown of important global risk developments in markets, in business, and region by region.
As the war in Ukraine continues, American businesses are facing pressure to ramp up production of key goods and materials to meet demand. Defense sector firms are discussing measures to replenish weapons stockpiles, while US agriculture producers are being offered incentives to produce more goods to alleviate global food shortages. Businesses will have to weigh the financial risk of investing in increased production capacity against fluctuating long-term demand.
Russian President Putin, during a Victory Day speech, characterized Russia’s military action in Ukraine as a preemptive move to ward off aggression. “The West was preparing for invasion of Russia, NATO was creating tensions at the borders. They did not want to listen to Russia, they had other plans." The Russian president compared the Red Army's fighting against Nazi troops to the Russian forces' action in Ukraine. Victory Day was celebrated with a military parade of thousands of soldiers marching across Moscow's Red Square, followed by tanks, armored vehicles and missile launchers. Counter to speculation, the Kremlin did not announce a general mobilization. Download the article