Russia Monitor Articles
Russia–NATO Tensions Continue On Both Flanks
Russian aircraft have made a number of provocative moves both in the Baltic Sea, as well as along the bloc’s southern wing, in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. There are more and more reports of Russian jets seizing NATO planes.
Russia Aims To Boost Military Facilities in Syria
The Kremlin has decided to put an end to the years-long rivalry between its foreign and defense ministries in Syria. President Vladimir Putin reportedly tasked both with securing additional land and naval rights in Syria.
Russian Economy Comes Badly Because Of Pandemic
Russia imposed a “non-working” period across the country at the end of April in a move that lowered the country’s industrial output and – along with an energy crisis and a shaky Russian economy – thus heaping pressure on the country’s financial strength.
Gazprom Is Turning Towards China, But There Are Problems
With the gloomy prospects for the European gas market, Gazprom is making efforts to send more energy eastwards. Beijing is keen to buy more gas from Russia, yet it is wary of subsidizing Gazprom’s fresh energy projects.
Rosneft, Transneft In New Feud Over Transportation Tariffs
The CEO of Rosneft, Russia’s crude oil major, made a proposal to cut transportation tariffs via the pipeline network that is managed by the Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneft. The latter firm said these hit to a record-low level, with money flowing out from the federal budget, into pockets of private shareholders.
Tensions Rise in the Black Sea
Moscow’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine has built up Russia’s military capabilities in the Black Sea. Not only did the Kremlin push Ukraine out from the basin, but it also made its way for testing its missiles there.
Russia Unveils Rescue Plan for Oil Sector
Russia is dependent on trading hydrocarbons, while the overall condition of the country’s oil sector serves a pivotal role in its entire economy. It has always been favored by the state. Certainly this seems apparent as the world has plunged into a deep crisis.
Coronavirus in Russia: Bad News for the Country
Russia is bound to witness a spike in mortality in the coming days. With new infections beginning to dip in many regions, local officials are now struggling to balance measures to prevent the virus.
Russia’s Rosneft Has New Ownership Structure But Same CEO
Russia’s biggest state-run crude oil company Rosneft officially confirmed it saw the shift in its ownership structure – and is now no longer controlled by the state after the Rosneftegaz state holding company had relinquished its controlling stake.
Belarus Ramps up Diversification Efforts with U.S. and Gulf Crude Purchases
Minsk’s oil price spat with Moscow pushed Belarus’s Lukashenko towards an oil alternative. Belarusians have begun importing crude oil from elsewhere. This step could mark the end of Russian energy hegemony.
Gazprom’s Natural Gas Export Revenue Declined Dramatically in Q1
The losing streak of Gazprom, Russia’s biggest gas company, seems to have no end in sight. To make matters worse, the first quarter of 2020 brought disturbing reports on the firm’s export figures.
Russia Steps up Diplomatic Efforts as Kremlin Aide Kozak Visits Berlin
Slowly but steadily, the world is recovering from the hardest blow from the coronavirus – and so are influential actors worldwide. Putin’s new aide on Ukraine met with Germany’s Angela Merkel a day after she conducted a phone call with Ukraine’s prime minister.
Fradkov Remains at the Helm of the Kremlin’s “Intelligence Service”
On May 13, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Mikhail Fradkov director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, in short RISS. This was just a formality –– Fradkov has been in charge of the Kremlin-controlled agency since 2017.
Rosneft’s Sechin Asks Officials For New Tax Reliefs Despite Recent Mishaps
Igor Sechin, the head of Russia’s energy giant Rosneft, was the first to blame for Russia’s downfall in the oil price war. Furthermore, he was a key driver of Moscow’s exit from the OPEC pact. Oil prices dropped to record-time lows while Russia made a comeback to the cut deal –– yet on worse conditions.
Warsaw Institute
