Stephanie Baker
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Stephanie Baker
@stephanie-baker.bsky.social
Senior Writer at Bloomberg News/Businessweek for investigations. Author of Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. www.stephaniebakerwriter.com @bloomberg.com
On @bbcworldservice Newshour I discuss Trump’s decision to give Hungary’s Viktor Orban a 1 year exemption from his recent Russian oil sanctions and why Hungary’s continued import of Russian oil is such a problem. With @OwenBennettJone clip below:
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I went on BBC News Radio 4 today with Jonny Dymond to talk about the EU’s scramble to use frozen Russian central bank assets to back up a 140 billion euro loan to Ukraine, and why it’s taken so long.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Always a pleasure to go on Ukraine: The Latest from @telegraphnews.bsky.social with Dominic Nicholls and Francis Dearnley to talk about where we stand in the ecoomic war against Russia with Trump's latest oil sanctions.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/u...
Ukraine strikes elite Russian unit on Black Sea oil rig & rescues camel from overrun Russian position
Podcast Episode · Ukraine: The Latest · 04/11/2025 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Great to be on @NPR.org with Ayesha Rascoe to talk about the Trump administration’s new sanctions on Russian oil after Putin’s refusal to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine. Listen here

www.npr.org/2025/10/26/n...
How the U.S.'s new sanctions on Russia could impact the war in Ukraine
The Trump administration has levied new sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's oil industry. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with journalist Stephanie Baker about the implications.
www.npr.org
October 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I went on Times Radio this morning to talk about Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil. It is a significant turning point and the first time Trump has hit Russia directly with sanctions in his second term. This will squeeze Russia’s revenues
October 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Trump finally sanctions Russia’s two largest oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil after Putin refused a ceasefire. This is a major turning point and hopefully will be backed up by threats of secondary sanctions on anyone that does business with them.
October 22, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Another big turnout for our panel on Trump’s second tumultuous term at the Cheltenham Literature Festival moderated by the always sharp @hugorifkind.bsky.social Rifkind alongside @joshglancy.bsky.social and Katy Balls. We covered the world, from Gaza/Israel to Russia/Ukraine, tariffs and ICE.
October 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM
We had 800 people sign up to attend our panel discussing Russia’s hybrid attacks on Europe and its devastating war in Ukraine at the Cheltenham Literature Festival with @olivermoody.bsky.social , Andrew Monaghan and Kataryna Wolczuk. Heartening to see such a good turnout @thetimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Honored honored that my book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia, has been shortlisted for the 2025 SABEW Best in Business Book Awards for Business Reporting. A privilege to be included among such talented authors and journalists. sabew.org/2025/09/shor...
October 9, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Looking forward to this panel on Russia’s threat to Europe at the Cheltenham Literary Festival next week with @olivernmoody @AndrewCMonaghan and Kataryna Wolczuk. Tickets here cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/the-spe…
@cheltfestivals
October 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Another epic 2.5 hours on @bbcworldservice this morning talking about the big news stories of the week, including Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Trump, Israel, Egypt and much more. Thanks to the excellent @rebeccakesby1 and @JosephTorigian for such an interesting show. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
September 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Fascinating discussion at the inaugural
Hereford Military History Festival at the city’s beautiful cathedral with @Jess-Norman.bsky.social, Sir Robin Niblett and @TerryStiastny.bsky.social The conversation was dominated by Putin’s continued hybrid attacks on Europe.
September 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
My take on Trump’s latest change in rhetoric about Russia and Ukraine on @bbc5live.bsky.social. Watch his actions not his words
September 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Really good discussion on @BBC Ukrainecast with @lucyhockings @vitalybbc and @mikey-kay.bsky.social to talk about the recent horrific attacks on Ukraine and possible new sanctions on Russia. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
September 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Great to take part in panels on economic and espionage battles at the Ukraine Freedom Summit in London with a good turnout despite the tube strike. @BorisJohnson called for seizing Russian assets for Ukraine. An impressive array of Ukrainian veterans made it a powerful gathering.
September 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Sadly the Putin-Xi lovefest in Beijing with Modi and Kim has left Ukraine in an even worse position unless Europe steps up military aid and Trump imposes more US sanctions on Russia.
September 3, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I really don’t understand why there’s not more outrage at Putin’s deliberate attacks on civilians in Ukraine. This time 14 killed including 3 children. The EU mission and British Council were also damaged in the 2nd largest attack this year. Meanwhile no sanctions
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
August 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Security guarantees are needed for any peace in Ukraine but the details remain vague, including whether Europe can muster enough troops, what exactly would they do, and the role of the US. Setting aside the fact that the Kremlin objects to European troops in Ukraine - why give Putin a veto?
August 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Good to be on @msnbc.com with Alex Witt, @radiofreetom.bsky.social and Ambassador Steven Pifer to talk about the Trump-Putin summit. Longer segment here: www.msnbc.com/weekends-wit...
August 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Please join me and my Bloomberg colleagues today at 3 pm UK time for a Live Q&A on what's next for Ukraine after the Putin-Trump summit
www.bloomberg.com/sessions/202...
Live Q&A: What Are Ukraine's Options As Leaders Head to White House?
Bloomberg reporters answer questions about Ukraine’s potential options after the summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska.
www.bloomberg.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:24 AM
With Russia’s economy struggling, Putin is desperate to head off any additional US sanctions or secondary tariffs that will make financing the war even more difficult #russia #trump #putin #ukraine
August 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Putin is going to Alaska to meet Trump as his economy falters, with stalling economic growth, slumping oil revenues and a widening budget deficit. He wants to head off further sanctions. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Russia's Faltering War Economy Adds to Putin's Woes Ahead of Trump Summit
The Russian economy is spluttering under the weight of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine just as Presidents Putin and Trump meet to talk peace
www.bloomberg.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
At Russia's second largest bank - VTB - net interest income slumped 49% to $1.9 billion in the first half of 2025. Senior managers at the bank are signaling privately that the data don’t reflect the true seriousness of the situation. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Russia’s VTB Bank Sees Lending Income Collapse Amid War Pressure
Russia’s second largest bank, VTB Bank PJSC, is seeing a sustained deterioration in profits made from lending, feeding concern at the bank over its stability amid the economic pressures from President...
www.bloomberg.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Spoke with @anitaanand.bsky.social on @BBCRadio4 about Trump’s order to impose additional US tariffs of 25% on India for buying Russian oil. Better ways to hit Russia directly.
August 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Trump signs order to impose additional 25% tariffs on India because of its purchase of Russian oil on top of 25% country specific tariffs. India has 21 days before additional tariffs come into effect. Curious he's not targeting China, which buys even more oil from Russia.
August 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM