For the first time, US export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe will be delivered to Lithuania, a shot across the bow in challenging Russia’s land-locked pipelines that supply Europe with a third of its total natural gas. The delivery will head to the Baltic country in February, transported by tanker to custom built…
The now-infamous Paris attacks are believed to be pushing Russia and the West closer as first signs of rapprochement appeared during the G20 summit in Turkey on 15-16 November. Unlike last year’s summit when Vladimir Putin left early due to the frosty atmosphere, this year the Russian president huddled for private chats with American and…
A Russian congressman proposed closing borders to migrants from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, in the wake of the attacks in Paris and last week’s arrest of over 150 suspected militants in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Vice Speaker of the lower house of the Russian legislature, son of founder Vladimir Zhironovsky and chairman of what many observers have…
Russia has proposed an eight-point plan designed to put an end to the crisis in Syria, alleging that it presents Moscow’s vision and ideas, but also that it remains open to alternative proposals in the upcoming peace talks on November 14. The leaked document propose a constitutional reform in Syria lasting for 18 months followed by presidential…
Kazakhstan refuted a Russian parliamentary member’s comments that a common currency for the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) called evraz is in the works. President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Press Secretary Dauren Abayev stated that the prospect of introducing a common currency with the Union’s four other members, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, is not on the agenda.…
RIA Novosti reported that Russia has concluded a deal with Iran for the sale of long-range missile systems. Russian-owned Rostec chief executive Sergei Chemezov was quoted at the Dubai Airshow stating that the deal for the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system was already signed. Observers note that the contract has the potential to alter the…
Ukraine’s state owned gas company, Naftogaz warned that Ukraine might stop buying gas from Russia from the beginning of 2016. Natural gas supplies from Russia are only secured until the end of this year and Ukrainian authorities stated that they would rely on European supply in 2016 unless Russia offered a competitive price. They also…
The start of this week has seen Russian and Iranian officials comment on cooperation in the defense, communications and energy sectors. RIA Novosti quoted the head of Russia’s largest defense company claiming that there are plans for Iran to withdraw its $4 billion lawsuit against Russia concerning non-delivery of weaponry in 2010. The Iranian Communications…
In response to sagging oil prices, the Organization of the Petroleum Export Countries (OPEC) held a meeting in Vienna first time with eight non-member states including Russia and Kazakhstan. Previously, Russia and some other oil producers refused to work with OPEC. Participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil created the hope that they may assist in taking…
The Kremlin announced that Russian “volunteer” forces could soon join forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the battlefields of Syria. Russia has publicly supported the Assad regime for years and recently amplified its support for the regime through airstrikes purportedly directed at extremist militias in the county. The latest announcement augurs a potential…
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