Russia Monitor Articles
Russia, Iran Pledge Closer Military Ties
Iran has not shifted its policy towards the Russian invasion of Ukraine by supplying Russia with a batch of mostly kamikaze drones and perhaps also ballistic missiles. This might have been on the agenda of the meeting between Putin’s top aide and Iranian leaders.
Less Gas and Electricity: Moscow Sets Stage for Moldova Coup
The energy crisis has hit Moldova especially hard, with Russian state energy giant Gazprom threatening to cut gas supplies and Moscow’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure that trigger blackouts throughout the country.
Former Russian Spy Seeks Asylum In Estonia
The story behind a Russian spy is a blow to the reputation of Russian spy agencies. The former GRU officer was convicted in Estonia, where he later returned because he disagreed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s Lukoil Makes Record Profit
Russia’s biggest privately held oil company has made a record profit this year, doubling its last year’s figures. Lukoil will thus resume its belated dividend payouts for shareholders. Other Russian energy companies, including Gazprom, canceled dividend payouts amid the Russian war in Ukraine and its possible influence on the Russian energy sector. Only when oil and gas prices soared rapidly have they approved dividend payout.
Oil Production In Russia Will Fall, OPEC Says
According to the OPEC World Oil Outlook, Russia will see a drastic decline in its oil production in five years, followed by a sluggish recovery in the next eighteen years. Russian oil output will never rebound to its current levels, though. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) just released its latest annual World Oil Outlook. Oil will remain the most in-demand fuel until 2045, although its share in world consumption will begin to decline until early 2027, according to the OPEC World Oil Outlook.
Not Only Disputed Kuril Islands: Ties Between Russia, Japan Soured Considerably
First, the FSB detained a Japanese consul, then Moscow suspended a visa-free regime to travel off the Kuril Islands while Japan responded with a fresh batch of sanctions. Tensions have run high between Moscow and Tokyo. Both have a very slim chance to improve ties as Japan is aware of the Chinese threat and the Russian aggressive policy being two sides of the same coin.
Russia’s Energy Sales Suffer Amid Mild Weather And Chinese Lockdown Measures
Vladimir Putin is playing the energy crisis to force Western states and Ukraine into peace concessions. But the weather is not that much to the liking of the Kremlin as unusually mild temperatures tame European demand for gas. For its part, Chinese oil demand has shrunk amid new Covid lockdown measures across the country. Russia struggles to sell its energy, also amid the decline in prices.
Russia Responds To EU Price Caps By Reorienting Oil Exports
The Kremlin said that Russia would stop selling oil to countries that impose price caps on Russia’s energy resources. But now Moscow has to sell these gigantic supplies elsewhere. Russia is now facing a challenge to find new outlets for its oil supplies and create storage capacity.
Russia, Iran Forge Energy Cooperation
Iran is wading into Russia’s war on Ukraine with alleged reports to sell weapons to Moscow. Through military and political deals, Iran faces new sanctions. Despite that, Iran’s ayatollahs and the country’s president insist on forging closer ties with Russia.
Putin Seeks To Destroy Ukraine, Fight Western States
What Russian President Vladimir Putin said in recent days meant no change in his policy that indeed exacerbated since mid-September. In just three days, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a flurry of activities: he observed exercises by his nation’s strategic nuclear forces, attended meeting with heads of security services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), held an operational meeting of the Russian Security Council, delivered a speech at the Valdai Discussion Club summit, took part in an emergency meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Collective Security Council, and received Sergei Shoigu, the defense minister, for talks. They all have one common––the Kremlin flexes its muscles, claiming it could further escalate the war in Ukraine and ignite tensions with Western states.
Rosneft CEO Sechin Claims EU Gas Price Caps Unreasonable
Russia Monitor is a review of the most important events related to Russian internal and external security, as well as its foreign policies. Date: Author: Grzegorz Kuczyński Rosneft CEO Sechin Claims EU Gas Price Caps Unreasonable A statement from the...
Russia Intimidates West With Nuclear Weapons
Russia’s nuclear drills are part of the country’s effort of scaring Western states off with possible nukes to be used in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Ukrainian government has said it suspects Russia is planning its own false flag operation. Russia has also waved the nuclear blackmail, a strategy that the Kremlin has followed since it invaded Ukraine. Moscow is aware that it will not intimidate Ukraine. Instead, it hopes to send a message to Western states, mostly Germany and France, that a nuclear option is still on the table.
Will Armenia Accept Russian Peace Proposals?
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the country agreed to work with Russian proposals to establish relations with longtime rival Azerbaijan. The leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia are expected to meet in Sochi. The Kremlin has responded to Western diplomatic efforts in the South Caucasus, where the European Union remains strongly engaged in mediating a peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Russia’s Syrian Withdrawal Could Prompt Israeli Help For Ukraine
Israeli missiles hit targets near the Syrian capital Damascus in a rare daytime attack on October 24. Some of the missiles were shot down by the Damascus air defense. Israeli strikes usually take place under the cover of darkness. Perhaps Israel is less concerned over the Russian-backed air-defense systems in Syria as Russian forces withdrew from some positions in the country.
Warsaw Institute
