🇷🇺 KamAZ can go bankrupt amid Chinese competition and lack of modern technologies
Russian truck manufacturer KamAZ has voiced frustration over its Eastern partners' unwillingness to share technology. According to deputy CEO Mikhail Matasov, Russia’s automotive development strategy overly relies on cooperation with Asian partners, expecting a transfer of technologies that is simply not happening. Matasov noted that these partners are not interested in deep technological collaboration, partly due to their dependency on the U.S., which he referred to as a "non-partner."
KamAZ previously had a long-standing partnership with Germany’s Daimler (Mercedes-Benz Group), which held a 15% stake since 2008. However, this ended after the start of the war in Ukraine, when Daimler withdrew from the Russian market and eventually sold its shares in 2024.
🔥 The company is now facing a sharp decline in profits, which fell 28-fold in 2024 compared to the previous year—from 20.4 billion rubles down to just 731 million rubles. The reasons include rising interest rates, increased profit taxes, and intensified competition from Chinese truck manufacturers. KamAZ’s sales dropped by a third to 17,254 units, while Chinese brand Sitrak overtook the market lead with 19,409 trucks sold.
The situation highlights the growing challenges for Russian industry in the absence of Western partners and the limited support from new Eastern alliances.
Russian truck manufacturer KamAZ has voiced frustration over its Eastern partners' unwillingness to share technology. According to deputy CEO Mikhail Matasov, Russia’s automotive development strategy overly relies on cooperation with Asian partners, expecting a transfer of technologies that is simply not happening. Matasov noted that these partners are not interested in deep technological collaboration, partly due to their dependency on the U.S., which he referred to as a "non-partner."
KamAZ previously had a long-standing partnership with Germany’s Daimler (Mercedes-Benz Group), which held a 15% stake since 2008. However, this ended after the start of the war in Ukraine, when Daimler withdrew from the Russian market and eventually sold its shares in 2024.
🔥 The company is now facing a sharp decline in profits, which fell 28-fold in 2024 compared to the previous year—from 20.4 billion rubles down to just 731 million rubles. The reasons include rising interest rates, increased profit taxes, and intensified competition from Chinese truck manufacturers. KamAZ’s sales dropped by a third to 17,254 units, while Chinese brand Sitrak overtook the market lead with 19,409 trucks sold.
The situation highlights the growing challenges for Russian industry in the absence of Western partners and the limited support from new Eastern alliances.
🇩🇪🇺🇸 For Germany, Trump's tariffs are an "economic disaster," German economists told Bild.
According to calculations by the German Economic Institute in Cologne, over four years the tariffs could cost Germany 200 billion euros, and the GDP could drop by 1.5% by 2028.
"For Germany, a 20% tariff is an economic disaster," said the authors of the study, Jürgen Matthes and Samina Sultan.
The total damage for the EU could amount to around 750 billion euros.
According to calculations by the German Economic Institute in Cologne, over four years the tariffs could cost Germany 200 billion euros, and the GDP could drop by 1.5% by 2028.
"For Germany, a 20% tariff is an economic disaster," said the authors of the study, Jürgen Matthes and Samina Sultan.
The total damage for the EU could amount to around 750 billion euros.
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇩🇪 - German car manufacturing giant Porsche is holding internal talks to re-enter the defense industry after a multi-decade hiatus.
🇺🇦 Zelensky hints at compromise on lost territory
While Ukraine will never recognize the lost territories as part of Russia — “that’s a red line” — Volodymyr Zelensky says Kyiv is open to waiting and eventually reclaiming them through diplomatic means.
The President emphasizes Ukraine’s stance but hints at a possible shift in strategy — if diplomacy can yield results.
While Ukraine will never recognize the lost territories as part of Russia — “that’s a red line” — Volodymyr Zelensky says Kyiv is open to waiting and eventually reclaiming them through diplomatic means.
The President emphasizes Ukraine’s stance but hints at a possible shift in strategy — if diplomacy can yield results.
🇮🇷🇺🇸 U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has requested direct talks on the "nuclear deal."
🇺🇸 Market reforms come with pain
The U.S. stock market lost around $3 trillion yesterday. Donald Trump, meanwhile, stated that “everything is going very well, and the market will thrive.” At the same time, the press notes that American financial markets are experiencing their worst day in the past five years.
The U.S. stock market lost around $3 trillion yesterday. Donald Trump, meanwhile, stated that “everything is going very well, and the market will thrive.” At the same time, the press notes that American financial markets are experiencing their worst day in the past five years.
🇷🇺🇺🇲 Loud scandal during negotiations: Russian negotiators couldn’t share a chair in front of the Americans
The outlet Agentstvo, citing its sources, reported on a comical incident that took place during negotiations between Russian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia on February 18. It turns out that Putin entrusted the talks with the U.S. to two rival teams.
Initially, only Foreign Minister Lavrov and Putin's aide Ushakov were supposed to represent Russia. Later, Putin's special envoy Dmitriev was added to the delegation — but Lavrov wasn't informed about this.
Lavrov threw a fit and refused to give Dmitriev a chair.
The Russian Foreign Minister pushed the chair away from the table, saying: “If he wants to participate, let Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) tell me personally.” After that, Dmitriev left the room and went into the hallway to speak with journalists. All of this unfolded in front of astonished American delegates.
"Everyone goes to Putin one-on-one, and he tells each person something different. That’s part of the reason why no one can clearly articulate Russia’s demands in the negotiations," a source told Agentstvo.
The outlet Agentstvo, citing its sources, reported on a comical incident that took place during negotiations between Russian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia on February 18. It turns out that Putin entrusted the talks with the U.S. to two rival teams.
Initially, only Foreign Minister Lavrov and Putin's aide Ushakov were supposed to represent Russia. Later, Putin's special envoy Dmitriev was added to the delegation — but Lavrov wasn't informed about this.
Lavrov threw a fit and refused to give Dmitriev a chair.
The Russian Foreign Minister pushed the chair away from the table, saying: “If he wants to participate, let Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) tell me personally.” After that, Dmitriev left the room and went into the hallway to speak with journalists. All of this unfolded in front of astonished American delegates.
"Everyone goes to Putin one-on-one, and he tells each person something different. That’s part of the reason why no one can clearly articulate Russia’s demands in the negotiations," a source told Agentstvo.
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇬🇪 - Bipartisan U.S. Congressional Body Helsinki Commission members expressed concern about Georgian Dream awarding Anaklia port development rights to chinese conglomerate.
🇷🇺☪ Russia: number of people killed by gangs of underage migrants sees shocking rise - declares the Investigative Committee of Russia
The criminal behavior of underage migrants is causing serious concern, with the number of especially grave crimes committed by them increasing by 82% over the past year, according to Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee.
At the same time, the number of murders committed by migrant teenagers has increased sevenfold.
They often commit crimes "as part of a well-organized group," attacking passersby, beating them, and bullying and humiliating peers of Slavic appearance. These acts are often recorded on mobile phones and posted online. “The phenomenon of youth ethnic crime has become a negative trend of our time, raising concern among the native population and posing a threat to public stability,” Bastrykin emphasized.
The criminal behavior of underage migrants is causing serious concern, with the number of especially grave crimes committed by them increasing by 82% over the past year, according to Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee.
At the same time, the number of murders committed by migrant teenagers has increased sevenfold.
They often commit crimes "as part of a well-organized group," attacking passersby, beating them, and bullying and humiliating peers of Slavic appearance. These acts are often recorded on mobile phones and posted online. “The phenomenon of youth ethnic crime has become a negative trend of our time, raising concern among the native population and posing a threat to public stability,” Bastrykin emphasized.
🇺🇲🇷🇺🇺🇦 Is Russia ready to end the war?
"We will know within 'weeks, not months' whether Russia is ready to end the war," said U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. According to him, Ukraine has demonstrated its willingness to end the war, and it should be resolved through a solution that is "acceptable to both sides":
"If there's a tactic of delay, we won't be interested in that — Trump won't take part in endless negotiations. We’ll soon find out whether Russia is serious about peace. If yes — great, if not — we’ll need to reassess our position and what actions we’ll take."
"We will know within 'weeks, not months' whether Russia is ready to end the war," said U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. According to him, Ukraine has demonstrated its willingness to end the war, and it should be resolved through a solution that is "acceptable to both sides":
"If there's a tactic of delay, we won't be interested in that — Trump won't take part in endless negotiations. We’ll soon find out whether Russia is serious about peace. If yes — great, if not — we’ll need to reassess our position and what actions we’ll take."
🇫🇷 - Marine Le Pen's appeal trial is scheduled for the summer of 2026, less than a year before the 2027 elections.
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🇸🇾 - Reports of an organized withdrawal led by the defense ministry of the SDF from their controlled neighborhoods "Al-ashrafiyah" and "Al-sheikh maqsoud" in Aleppo towards the east of "Al-furat" (Euphrates).
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇱🇾🇺🇳 - Libyan authorities have accused aid groups of plotting to change the country's ethnic make-up by encouraging African migrants to stay there, and has ordered them to close their offices.
🇺🇦🇷🇺 Russia hits Ukrainian city with ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has just been hit by Russian ballistic missiles.
Number of dead 12, wounded 60. 3 children among the dead.
Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has just been hit by Russian ballistic missiles.
Number of dead 12, wounded 60. 3 children among the dead.
🇺🇦 Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, hit by 🇷🇺 Russian ballistic missiles
15 civilians killed, 5 children among them.
15 civilians killed, 5 children among them.
Germany appproves Franco-German tank project
Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has approved plans by three defense manufacturers — Rheinmetall, KNDS, and Thales — to establish a joint venture in Germany. The antitrust authority stated that “the previous areas of activity of Rheinmetall and KNDS largely complement each other,” making the merger permissible.
The companies will work on developing the next-generation Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) battle tank, with the German and French governments as the sole clients.
The goal of the Franco-German defense program is to replace the current main battle tanks — Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc — with next-generation systems by 2040. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius previously emphasized that this is not about upgrading existing models, but about creating “something entirely new.” He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence technologies will offer a “clear qualitative advantage in terms of capabilities.”
Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has approved plans by three defense manufacturers — Rheinmetall, KNDS, and Thales — to establish a joint venture in Germany. The antitrust authority stated that “the previous areas of activity of Rheinmetall and KNDS largely complement each other,” making the merger permissible.
The companies will work on developing the next-generation Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) battle tank, with the German and French governments as the sole clients.
The goal of the Franco-German defense program is to replace the current main battle tanks — Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc — with next-generation systems by 2040. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius previously emphasized that this is not about upgrading existing models, but about creating “something entirely new.” He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence technologies will offer a “clear qualitative advantage in terms of capabilities.”