Alerts. Real-time analysis of events occurring at the intersection of economics, finance and global security concerns.

Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev renewed Moscow‘s threats to raise tariffs on imported Ukrainian goods if there are any signs of Kiev implementing parts of its economic and political Association Agreement with the EU prior to 2016.  He also stated that thousands of Ukrainians working in Russia illegally would face ‘‘‘stronger enforcement measures‘ (read: expulsion) and that the cost to Kiev associated with this measure would be in the range of $11 to $13 billion.  Clearly, these announcements are designed to deepen the already sharp decline of the Ukrainian economy that is expected to contract 7% this year.