Over the past eight decades, the world has come a long way from the creation of the first nuclear warheads to the formation of a multi-level global deterrence system based on nuclear balance. According to an analysis conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on statistics from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), the most rapid growth in the number of nuclear weapons occurred between 1945 and 1986. After the first atomic bombs were tested in the US in 1945, the Soviet Union joined the race, and by the 1950s, an arms race had begun, in which the US had the upper hand in the early stages, with over 3,000 warheads.
This period was marked by global confrontation within the framework of the Cold War, an arms race, and the active expansion of the nuclear club.
In the 1960s, the USSR gradually caught up with the US in terms of numbers and eventually surpassed it. The race peaked in 1986, when the total number of nuclear warheads in the world reached a record high of almost 70,000, of which more than 40,000 belonged to the Soviet Union.
After the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, the US and Russia initiated a large-scale reduction of their arsenals, removing some of the warheads from combat duty or disposing of them in accordance with international agreements. By 2023, the total number of nuclear warheads in the world had decreased to approximately 12,500, of which about 9,600 are active, while the rest are in reserve or awaiting dismantlement.
Today, there are nine countries in the world that officially possess nuclear weapons. The largest arsenals are held by Russia (5,889 units) and the United States (5,244 units). China is actively building up its nuclear capabilities and already has about 410 warheads. France and the United Kingdom have 290 and 225 units, respectively. India and Pakistan have about 170 and 165 warheads, respectively, and Israel has an estimated 90. North Korea is estimated to have up to 30 warheads, but its potential is considered highly uncertain due to the country’s secrecy. South Africa is a special case, as it is the only country that voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons, completely dismantling its arsenal in the 1990s.
“The dynamics of change in nuclear capabilities demonstrate the extraordinary flexibility and, at the same time, vulnerability of the global security system. For many years, nuclear weapons have been not only an element of deterrence but also an instrument of political blackmail, allowing individual states to influence the international agenda. Today, we are seeing an alarming trend: despite the overall reduction in stockpiles in leading countries such as the US and Russia, certain countries — primarily China and North Korea — are demonstrating growing ambitions, indicating a potential return to the arms race. And if the international community fails to develop effective control and limitation mechanisms, we risk facing a new phase of nuclear confrontation, which will be even more dangerous due to the presence of unstable regimes, technological breakthroughs, and cyber threats,” comments Maxim Urakin, founder of the Experts Club analytical center.
In conclusion, it should be emphasized that the current nuclear security architecture needs to be revised. The conditions of the new geopolitical reality require not only maintaining parity, but also creating international mechanisms capable of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and reducing the risk of their use in new types of conflicts. Without global dialogue, transparency, and trust, the future of global security will remain under threat.
For more information, visit the Experts Club YouTube channel.
Montenegro is one of the most affordable countries in Europe in terms of real estate prices and one of the easiest in terms of legal formalities for foreigners. In recent years, it has become particularly popular among citizens of the CIS and EU countries due to its mild climate, sea, prospects for price growth, and loyal tax policy. However, when buying an apartment or house, it is important to understand what taxes and fees you will have to pay.
Main taxes when buying real estate in Montenegro
Rate: 3% of the market value of the property as determined by the tax authorities (not always the same as the price in the contract).
The tax is paid once, within 15 days after the conclusion of the agreement and submission of documents to the tax office.
Rate: 21%, already included in the contract price.
In this case, the property transfer tax (3%) is not levied.
Property ownership tax
The rate is set by municipalities and usually ranges from 0.1% to 1% of the cadastral value (depending on the location, type, and condition of the property).
For example:
Apartment in Budva or Kotor — approximately 0.25–0.5%
Properties on the coast and in tourist areas are taxed at a higher rate
The tax is paid once a year, usually by the end of March.
Important: a penalty is charged for late payment.
Additional costs
Renting real estate: taxes for the owner
If the property is rented out, the owner is obliged to:
Obtain a short-term rental permit from the municipality.
Keep a register of guests and pay tax:
Fixed tax on rental income — 9%.
Plus tourist tax per guest — approximately €1 per night.
From 2024, compliance with these requirements will be actively monitored (introduction of electronic accounting systems).
Example
Apartment in Budva for €150,000, purchased from a private individual:
Property transfer tax: 3% = €4,500
Annual property tax (0.4%): €600
Notary + registration fees: ~€1,000
In case of rental: income tax — 9% of profit
Montenegro offers a relatively simple and predictable tax system for real estate. One-time tax on purchase — 3% or 21% (for new construction), annual tax — low. Rental income is taxed at a moderate rate but requires compliance with formalities.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/property-taxes-in-montenegro-what-buyers-need-to-know/
The volume of passenger car imports into Ukraine, including cargo-passenger vans and racing cars (UKT VED code 8703), in January-May 2025 amounted to almost $2.052 billion in monetary terms, which is 5.3% more than in the same period last year ($1.947 billion).
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) of Ukraine, in May this year, passenger cars worth $523.8 million were imported into Ukraine, which is 30% more than in May 2024.
The three largest suppliers of cars to Ukraine in January-May this year were Germany, the US, and Japan, while last year the US led the top three. In particular, car deliveries from Germany increased by 35% to $388.6 million, and their share in the structure of car imports amounted to almost 19% against 14.8% a year earlier.
The United States imported $336.2 million worth of cars to Ukraine (down 7.6%), while imports from Japan fell by 4.8% to $230 million.
Imports of passenger cars from other countries during the reporting period amounted to almost $1.1 billion, compared with $1.05 billion in January-May last year.
At the same time, in January-May this year, Ukraine exported only $2.7 million worth of such vehicles, in particular to the UAE (49.4% of exports), the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, while a year ago, during the same period, it supplied $7.18 million worth of such vehicles to foreign markets, mainly to Canada, the UAE, and the US.
According to the State Customs Service, passenger cars accounted for 6.56% of Ukraine’s total imports in January-May (7.07% last year) and 0.02% of exports (0.04%).
As reported, in 2024, passenger cars worth $4.385 billion were imported into Ukraine, 8% more than a year ago, and $10.1 million worth were exported (2.7 times less).
Ukrainian enterprises increased exports of ferrous metal scrap by 45.5% in January-May this year compared to the same period last year, from 102,366 tons to 155,809 tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SRS) on Friday, 28,600 tons were exported in May, 46,321 tons in April, 39,908 tons in March, 25,284 tons in February, and 15,696 tons in January.
In monetary terms, scrap metal exports in January-May increased by 46.4% to $48.127 million from $32.872 million.
In the winter of 2025, Vertex Pharmaceuticals presented the results of the first large-scale study (phase I/II) of zimislecel (formerly VX-880), a stem cell-based drug. This experimental treatment aims to restore the cells of the islets of Langerhans in the liver of patients.
The trial involved 14 patients with severe type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia detection disorders. All participants received a single infusion of zimislecel into the hepatic vein and initial immunosuppressive therapy without glucocorticoids. According to data from one year, 10 out of 12 completely stopped insulin injections, becoming insulin-independent, while the remaining two patients reduced their insulin dose by 92% on average. All participants normalized their HbA1c levels (<7%) and spent more than 70% of their time in the glycemic range of 70-180 mg/dL.
Side effects:
• Neutropenia was observed in 3 patients;
• Two fatalities were recorded: one from cryptococcal meningitis (off-protocol), the other from severe cognitive pathology unrelated to treatment.
The discontinuation of insulin therapy in 83% of participants is a very significant achievement, indicating the possibility of restoring endogenous insulin secretion. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) called the data “unprecedented” after three stages of presentation at the ADA-2025 conference in Chicago.
However, it should be noted that the study was small (12–14 participants) and short (12 months); large-scale control experience is needed. Data on long-term efficacy, safety, and commercial affordability are not yet known.
Phase III has now begun, with approximately 50 patients expected to participate. The next results are expected at the end of the year, after which the FDA application process will begin.
The drug is positioned as a breakthrough “functional remission” for a group of patients with severe diabetes and a tendency to hypoglycemic events. If its effectiveness is fully confirmed, it will be a global revolution in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
The US Treasury Department has again granted a postponement until July 29 on the application of sanctions against Serbia’s NIS, according to a statement from the company. Energy Minister Dubravka Jedovic-Handanovic, quoted by Serbian media, said that “sanctions against NIS have been officially postponed, as confirmed in writing last night.”
Serbia has previously received several postponements of sanctions against NIS from the US, most recently until June 27.
As reported, on January 10, the US imposed sanctions against two Russian oil companies, Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, as well as their subsidiaries. The SDN List also includes Gazprom Neft’s Serbian subsidiary, NIS. The US then postponed the imposition of sanctions against NIS.
At the end of February, Gazprom Neft transferred 5.15% of NIS shares to Gazprom. Gazprom Neft now owns 44.85% of NIS shares, while Gazprom owns 11.3%. Another 29.87% of NIS shares are owned by Serbia, with the remainder held by minority shareholders.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić reported that the US is demanding the complete withdrawal of Russian capital from NIS. He recalled that in 2008, the Serbian government sold control of NIS to Russia’s Gazprom Neft, and over the past years, the Russian company and NIS have contributed to significant revenues for the Serbian budget, as well as the development of many projects.
NIS is the only company in Serbia engaged in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, and it also owns a large oil refinery in the city of Pančevo. The company dominates the Serbian petroleum products market, and the NIS network of gas stations is present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Romania, with a total of more than 400 stations.
