Russia Monitor Articles
Russia Eases Lockdown Yet Offers Little Support to Citizens
Russia is gradually relaxing its coronavirus lockdown measures. In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin said some regions might keep tighter controls if necessary and announced a fresh relief package for the crisis-wrecked Russian economy.
Vladimir Putin Suffers Prestigious Failure in Victory Day Celebrations
Politically, Belarus is Russia’s junior partner while economically, Minsk comes as a vassal state of its larger neighbor that keeps its economy afloat. With all the more satisfaction, Lukashenko seized an opportunity to cut Vladimir Putin down to size as far as the politics of history and public image were concerned.
Moscow: The Capital of Russian Coronavirus Outbreak
Moscow remains by far the biggest Russian coronavirus outbreak despite having introduced timely measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Poland and Denmark Begin Construction of Baltic Pipe Project to Challenge Russian Gas Dominance
Construction of a major gas pipeline from Norway is to begin in the coming days, Polish President Andrzej Duda said in the morning of May 4. On April 30, Polish gas grid operator Gaz-System inked a contract with Italian oil services group Saipem to build a section of the Baltic Pipe between Denmark and Poland.
Is Prime Minister Mishustin A Failed Experiment?
No other Russian politician named as the country’s next prime minister suffered such bad luck as the new incumbent, Mikhail Mishustin. The Russian economy got a terrible blow after oil prices slashed globally, and it was only shortly after that the coronavirus pandemic gripped the world.
Russia’s Federal Authorities See Falling Ratings Over Coronavirus Crisis
Russian people have delivered somewhat ambiguous assessments of the state’s measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. They seem to trust more low-ranking officials who have direct contact with society.
OPEC+ Deal: Crude Oil Companies Agreed with the Government
All Russian crude oil companies would comply with the deal and curb their output figures, Russia’s energy minister said. On the same day, Vladimir Putin held a videoconference with government officials and heads of the country’s biggest oil and gas companies.
Russia’s Gazprom Sees Fall in Gas Output and Export Volumes
The company’s results were hit by weakening demand for Gazprom’s gas in Europe. Also, with lowering export numbers, Russia’s biggest gas firm must curb output. The company has experienced a sharp fall in natural gas demand this year due to the economic fallout from non-flexible contracts, Europe’s huge gas excesses, mild winter, and the global spread of the novel coronavirus.
Amid Coronavirus Pandemic and Oil Crisis, Russian Economy Is Suffocating
The coronavirus situation is not getting any better in Russia, with the growing number of both the infected and deaths. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the peak of the epidemic had not yet been reached and ordered Russians to remain under lockdown through May 11.
Russian Oil Companies Hit By “Black April”
With huge crude amounts on the global market and amid its record low prices, world oil producers are in big trouble. What has recently grabbed the headlines around the globe was when West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices fell below zero in short-term contracts. Bu Russian crude oil exports are in a much worse position.
Russia Is Open for Talks with U.S. on Nuclear Disarmament
Kremlin strategists have taken some steps to mend ties with the West, especially with the United States, since the coronavirus outbreak. Thus, Moscow is sending signals to relax –– or even lift sanctions, and, from time to time, makes an offer to launch disarmament talks with Washington.
Does Turkey’s S-400 Delay Mean No Longer Close Ties with Russia?
Turkey’s Idlib offensive in spring this year and the clash of Russian and Turkish strategic interests display that these two’s rapprochement is not unconditional, mainly in Syria.
Russian Top Defense and Interior Officials Arrested for Bribery and Extortion
Russia’s interior ministry is passing through a difficult time. After four deputy ministers were placed under quarantine –– once their colleague had been tested positive for coronavirus –– two other generals were detained.
Coronavirus Outbreak Puts Russian Jails Under Severe Threat
In response to calls from both health experts and the World Health Organisation, most world countries reduced the number of people in detention –– as a coronavirus outbreak in prison walls could make the COVID-19 pandemic worse.
Warsaw Institute
