Russia Monitor Articles
Russian Strategic Bombers In Syria Are A Problem For NATO
Russia said it had the ability for the first time to operate long-range strategic nuclear-capable bombers from its air base in Syria. The Hmeymim airfield was upgraded allowing Russia to manage long-range aircraft from the base, also Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers. Three long-range bombers of that type had flown to Hmeymim. They would hold training exercises in new geographical areas over the Mediterranean Sea before returning to their permanent airfields in Russia.
Top U.S. and Russian Officials Hold Talks Ahead of Biden-Putin Meeting
First, top U.S. and Russian diplomats held a meeting, followed by the talks between security chiefs. A summit between the U.S. and Russian leaders is coming close. Statements after both meetings show that only a disaster could torpedo a face-to-face talk between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden.
Gazprom Is Not Keen To Give Up Control Over Yamal Fields To Novatek
Russian energy giant Gazprom alone cannot efficiently manage the gigantic Tambey fields, neither does it plan to give up its control over the resources to its biggest rival. The state-run firm does not bow to pressure from the Kremlin, either. The company will indeed give its exclusive license to a business partner in a newly established venture, but not to Novatek.
Novatek Becomes One of Putin’s Favorite Companies
Russia’s biggest private gas producer has for years been seen as the one from where even Vladimir Putin could reap benefits. As a private firm, Novatek does not have to follow the same transparency rules as state-run giants. A key businessman in the company is Gennady Timchenko whom the Russian leader met back in the 1990s. It seems that the Kremlin has chosen Gazprom as a key piped gas company while Novatek will emerge as the country’s number one liquefied natural gas producer.
Gazprom Is Optimistic About Export Forecasts
The state-run gas company Gazprom outlined its priorities for this year at a series of press conferences before the general meeting of shareholders. The company’s management also shared its export plans. The firm hopes to see a year-on-year increase in its gas sales figures. Interestingly, the company’s top priority is to send gas via pipelines to China. At the same time, Gazprom intends to develop its LNG trading division.
Cracked U.S. Sanctions Leave Nord Stream 2 Construction Unharmed
Russian vessel Fortuna has started laying pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in German waters, the gas project reported on May 23. A few days earlier the U.S. administration had added the vessel to its black list. The ship had earlier laid pipes in Danish waters. The vessel will be working in German waters until June 30, according to the schedule.
Lukashenko Accused Of Hijacking The Plane, Putin Invites Him to Further Repression
Forcing a passenger jet flying from Greece to Lithuania to land in Minsk to detain a passenger is an act of state terror of the Belarusian regime. A brazen KGB operation would not have been possible without the approval––and perhaps the aid––of the Russian special agencies. Vladimir Putin has responded to Western weakness, also that of Joe Biden who decided not to impede the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Nord Stream 2: Germany Is More Important For Biden That Ukraine And Poland
The United States will not halt the construction of a dangerous gas pipeline for its Central and Eastern European allies amid its eagerness to get along with Berlin. It is a return to the policy of Barack Obama back when the United States put European affairs into the hands of Germany. The announcement to suspend new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 could come as a surprise as this takes place between a meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, which certainly enfeebles Washington’s negotiating position.
Russia Has Produced Less Crude Oil In 2021
Russia’s biggest oil company produced 3.7 million barrels of crude oil throughout the first quarter of 2021, marking a 19.2 percent drop year-on-year. Other Russian oil producers saw a decline in their energy output, too, amid OPEC+ curbs.
Russia’s State Duma Votes To Leave Open Skies Treaty
Moscow made another effort to smash the post-Cold War arms control system, this time for conventional weapons. Russia has just made a big step towards the exit from the Open Skies pact. The West will soon lose an ability to control the Russian armed forces, albeit their stockpile is not full.
Russia Conducts Double-Track Diplomacy in Israel-Hamas Conflict
Moscow must take careful steps amid the recent flare-up in the Middle East. The Kremlin enjoys warm ties with the Islamist movement Hamas and has to take into account the stance of the whole Muslim world. On the other hand, Vladimir Putin has established a special relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Through its good ties with the two parties to the conflict, the Kremlin could try to mediate. Nonetheless, this seems a tough task at the moment so Russia will just urge the two sides to stop attacks.
Russia Pledges Support For Tajikistan Amid Deteriorating Situation In Afghanistan
During the recent Moscow visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahman, Vladimir Putin said that Russia is helping to strengthen Tajikistan’s armed forces and build up its military contingent in the country. The Kremlin is looking to stake out its military position in the Central Asian country amid a deteriorating security situation in neighboring Afghanistan. As U.S. and NATO contingents plan to leave the country, it will slip into further violence and civil war while the Taliban will only grow in force.
Ukraine Charges Putin Ally With High Treason
Kyiv’s main pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk is wanted by Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU. Ukraine’s chief prosecutor charged the lawmaker with treason. The new and so far strongest blow dealt to Medvedchuk could further sour tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border, unleash retaliatory steps from Moscow and add some fuss to the agenda of a possible meeting between the U.S. and Russian leaders.
How Long Russian Oil and Gas Reserves Are Enough to Last?
Russia Monitor is a review of the most important events related to Russian internal and external security, as well as its foreign policies. Date: How Long Russian Oil and Gas Reserves Are Enough to Last? Top Russian energy officials deliver a somewhat...
Warsaw Institute
