Russia Monitor Articles
From War to Stabilization: Russian Plans for Syria
Recent changes in the Russian command and Moscow’s diplomatic efforts toward Syria show that the Kremlin has reshuffled its course in the Middle East country
Lavrov Visits Washington, China Among Topics Tackled
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on December 10 visited Washington for talks with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump.
Lukashenko Faces Tough Ordeal: Will Russia Swallow Up Belarus?
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin failed to agree on closer integration between the two countries. The leaders’ next meeting is set to take place on December 20.
OPEC+ Summit: Russia Attained Its Goal
At their latest meeting, OPEC and non-OPEC countries delivered an agreement to further cut oil production for in the first quarter of 2020.
NATO Summit: Kremlin’s Unfulfilled Hopes
The NATO summit in London was what could be referred to as a successful meeting and went better than expected, also by Moscow.
Russia Complies with OPEC Deal, But There Is a Problem
There is no doubt that the OPEC+ format will continue to exist, with OPEC and its allies being likely to extend oil output cuts, albeit oil production calculations may be subject to change.
Lukoil Makes Further Investments in Africa
A report by Russia’s biggest privately held oil company has revealed that it had finally bought stakes in an oilfield in the Republic of Congo.
Russia Catches Heat over Bloody Air Raids in Syria’s Idlib
In the shadow of Turkey’s incursion against the Kurds in northeastern Syria, forces loyal to al-Assad and their Russian allies are pursuing a military offensive in Idlib Province. Located in northwestern Syria, the last remaining rebel enclave is still struggling against government forces. Syrian government army and its Russian allies keep their criminal assaults against civilians, seeking to crush their morale and force Idlib defenders to surrender.
Russia’s Gazprom Sold $3 Billion in Stocks to Mystery Buyer
Russia’s gas monopolist Gazprom sold 3.59 percent of its stocks in what it turned out to be a single buyer transaction, with the deal carried out via the trading platform of the Moscow Exchange. Also, the mystery bidder got a considerable discount. This is the second time that Gazprom has traded shares in recent months, with a total of 6.52 percent of the company’s voting stakes being sold. The firm has not informed whether the same buyer bought shares both in July and November.
Unwanted Success: Russia’s GRU Suffers Setback in Serbia
A disclosed fact that in the Serbian army there are many people holding ties to Russian military intelligence has dealt a blow to the authorities in Belgrade. Recent time has seen Serbia making extra efforts to tighten cooperation with Russia, chiefly in the area of security. A spying incident involving an officer of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence, erupted right before President Aleksandar Vucic’s trip to Moscow. This might not have been incidental, especially that files showing links between Russian intelligence and the Serbian military were cooked up by Western services, as admitted by the country’s leader.
GRU Spies Accused of Destabilizing Situation in Catalonia
Spain is yet another European country where Russian military intelligence has engaged in a campaign to destabilize the internal situation. Spanish services and judiciary are investigating into a group within Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) known as Unit 29155, infamous for their subversive and terrorist actions across the European Union, including the United Kingdom and Bulgaria. Signs are that Russia has long been fuelled Catalonia’s pro-secession drive, not only through its information-related operations.
Novatek Boasts of Rising Output: Foreign Investors Enter Russian LNG Terminals
Russia’s biggest private gas firm has beefed up its status as a leading natural gas producer and a top liquefied natural gas supplier in the Far North.
United Russia Congress: Putin Distances Himself from Ruling Party
Though Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at a congress of the ruling United Russia, he seemed far aloof from the party whose approval ratings keep going down.
IEA Forecast Says Russian Oil Industry Will Record Losses
The United States is currently the world’s largest producer of gas and oil. With their shale output staying higher for longer, the Americans are poised to become the world’s second-biggest gas exporter only to Russia.
Warsaw Institute
