Lukashenko Downplays Belarusian Military Involvement in Ukraine

LOCAL NEWS

• Lukashenko says Belarus will not participate in the military operation in Ukraine, despite its recent military drills “because there is no need for this.” He said that Belarus has offered everything it can to Russia and in a separate comment said yesterday that he was surprised that the war was “dragging.” – Vedomosti
• Overnight Russian forces continued their assault on the Azovstal steelworks plant and Mariupol where roughly 2,000 Ukrainian troops refuse to surrender and remain an obstacle to the confirmation of Putin’s land bridge success.
  • Putin said that Kyiv should order the Azovstal fighters to put down their weapons and that Russia would allow the remaining 200 civilians to exit through humanitarian corridors for 3 days – RTRS
• With Finland preparing to announce its NATO bid as early as next week, the Finnish government says it is concerned Russia will cut off its gas deliveries. 60-70% of Finland’s gas originates from Russia, but only accounts for 5% of total energy consumption - Sky

Data:

• 0700BST: Apr S&P Russia Services PMI exp at 35.5 vs 38.1 prior
• 0700BST: Apr S&P Russia composite PMI, 37.7 prior
• 1700BST: Apr 29 CPI wow, 0.25% prior
• 1700BST: Apr 29 CPI weekly YTD, 11.32% prior