RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 10/2019
Contents
Rosneft Switches Export Contracts to Euros from Dollars Amid U.S. Sanctions
Russia’s largest oil company Rosneft has fully switched to the euro from U.S. dollars as the default currency to minimize its exposure to U.S. restrictions, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said.
Russia-Africa Summit: Will Malofeev Take Over Prigozhin’s Role?
The inaugural Russia-Africa summit was held in October 23–24 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. With the attendance of some 40 African heads of state and a vast group of 10,000 guests from both Russia and African countries, the Russia-Africa summit confirms the continent’s high level of interest in cementing cooperation with Moscow.
Alekperov Embroiled in Turmoil over Lukoil and Surgutneftgaz Shares
This year, the Moscow stock exchange has seen yet another dramatic increases in the shares of a giant Russian energy company.
Friend or Foe: Russia Gets Support in Afghan Peace Talks
Moscow is renewing efforts to resume dialogue between the United States and the Taliban. Following a visit of the Taliban delegation in September, U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad made a trip to Moscow on behalf of Washington.
Rosneft Earns Tax Breaks for its Arctic Projects
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin has secured longed-for tax cuts for his company’s Arctic projects. The mere fact that the Russian government has given its consent should be seen as a victory of the chief of the country’s biggest oil producer.
Serbia and Russia Hold Joint Exercise Near Belgrade: S-400 Returns to Russia, Pantsir-S Stays
The Slavic Shield 2019 joint military exercise proves ever-tightening bonds between Serbia and Russia. It is the first time that Russia has used its flagship air-defense missile system in military drills outside the country.
Russia Deploys Troops to Syrian-Turkish Border
All the signs are that Russia and Turkey will fully implement the arrangements on the truce in northeastern Syria, as earlier negotiated by the two countries’ leaders.
Gazprom Advances Its Arctic Projects
Russia’s state-run gas producer Gazprom is looking for new hydrocarbon fields on the country’s Arctic shelf.
Medvedev’s Visits to Belgrade Confirms Russian-Serbian Lasting Friendship
Due to its overall tone and the declarations made, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit to Belgrade corroborates the fast-growing pace of the tightening of Russian-Serbian ties.
Lukoil Is Unwilling to Pour Money into Arctic Shelf Projects
The Russian government is open to the idea that private oil and gas firms could be allowed to explore Russia’s Arctic shelf.
Russian Air Provocation Close to the Korean Peninsula
Russian military aircraft have yet again emerged in the disputed territory between South Korea and Japan.
“Post-Soviet” EU Serves Russian Interests
The Eurasian Economic Community, known as EAEC, was poised to become somewhat a response to the European Union, or a free-trade institution in the post-Soviet region. The past four years have seen an increase in the trade exchange between EAEC member countries, far higher than before launching the organization. Even though it remains on a relatively low level, unable to depict progressive economic integration. The community’s goal is first and foremost to serve Russian economic expansion.
Balancing Between Putin and Trump: Erdogan Plays Up Syrian Conflict
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan is building up his strong independent position in the Syrian war theatre.
How Will Russia React to Forthcoming Oil Crisis?
The Russian government has for the first acknowledged what had been discussed on the worldwide stage, admitting that a continued drop in demand for oil supplies is inevitable.
Belarus: Crude From Poland May Be A New Alternative to Costly Russian Oil
Belarus keeps losing millions of dollars as a result of tax changes introduced in the Russian oil sector.
Belarus’s Lukashenko Criticizes NATO over Joint Russian-Belarusian Drills
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a convenient justification for having carried out a series of military drills altogether with Russia. In his rhetoric, the Belarusian leader displays them as a response to extensive NATO exercise to be held in Poland and the Baltic states.
Turkey’s Invasion of the Kurds: Russia-Backed Al-Assad Likely to Triumph
Abandoned by their U.S. ally, the Syrian Kurds can quickly forge a new alliance. As Trump no longer holds interest in upholding a coalition with the belligerent militia that served a leading role in defeating Daesh, these could agree on cooperation with Moscow and Damascus. Facing the Turkish incursion, the Syrian Kurds may make concessions in their talks with the Al Assad regime. Earlier, the Kurds –– shelled by the Turkey-led coalition –– had agreed with the Syrian government forces. While dealing with the Turkish assault, they may opt for the lesser evil, recognizing Damascus’s sovereignty and a more limited autonomy for their people.
China Gets First Oil Cargo from Russia’s Arctic
For the first time in history, Russia’s Arctic oil volumes have been delivered to the Asian market in a rare trade shipment on the Northern Sea Route. Lukoil’s trading arm, Litasco, sold the cargo of 100,000 tonnes of Varandey Blend oil to Chinaoil, the trading branch of state-owned CNPC. The delivery was made by the tanker Korolev Prospect in mid-September.
Rostec CEO Chemezov Gathers Steam
CEO of Russia’s state hi-tech corporation Rostec Sergey Chemezov has been awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation medal. He has been handed out the highest state awards by President Vladimir Putin for his “outstanding contribution to the development od the defense and industrial conglomerate and raising the country’s defense capabilities.”
Putin Introduces Personnel Shifts in Law Enforcement Agencies
Under a presidential decree, Vladimir Putin made a number of personnel reshuffles amongst senior officials who held top positions in the Investigate Committee, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN of Russia). Several officials and officers have been relieved from their duties, while some of their colleagues were transferred to other positions.
Warsaw Institute
