RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 05/2021
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Tainted Oil in the Druzhba Pipeline: Rosneft’s Sechin Seeks Prompt Deal with Poland
Polluted oil flows in the Druzhba pipeline have undermined export ambitions of many Russian firms, with state-run oil giant Rosneft having been especially hit by the export constraints. The company’s CEO Igor Sechin publicly admitted that halting oil flows through Poland was detrimental to Rosneft’s interest and expressed hopes for resuming exports via the pipeline.
Kremlin Denies Trump Tweet on Pulling Russian Troops out of Venezuela
A failed attempt to topple the Maduro regime in late April and early May brought Venezuela to a standstill. The Venezuelan opposition is too weak to take power in the country with no support from its allies, with the United States at the forefront. Russia has consequently backed the Chavist regime yet time does not seem to play on Maduro’s favor.
Russia Monitor Monthly 05/2019
All May Russia Monitor articles, which include reviews of the most important events related to Russian security and its foreign policy, available in one file.
Oil and Gas Discoveries and Investments in the Russian Arctic
The hydrocarbon sector in the Russian Far North has seen the rapid development as evidenced by discovering oil-rich fields by the Yenisei River or Novatek’s plans to build the third LNG project in the Yamal region. Private and state-run oil companies are making their best efforts to surpass one another while outlining their ideas on expanding oil infrastructure and production.
U.S. Threatens Sanctions Over Russian Nord Stream 2 Project
If Republicans and Democrats from the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress, which stand on different sides of the political barricade, can unite their forces, they may speak with one voice when criticizing Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 energy pipeline project. In May, bipartisan efforts were made to intensify work on sanctions targeted at entities involved in building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline running from Russia to Germany.
European Elections in the Baltic Sea Region: Eurosceptics Perform Below Expectations
The recent elections to the EP have not brought any major surprises in the countries of the eastern part of the Baltic Sea Region. As regards the three post-Soviet Baltic republics, it can be said that the representatives of national minorities have generally managed to keep their positions. However, what draws attention is the fact that the results of extremely Eurosceptic parties are poorer than expected.
Kolomoyskyi and the IMF – a problem of Zelensky
It was known before his becoming a president, that Volodymyr Zelensky’s close relationship with Ihor Kolomoyskyi would be his biggest burden and problem. The oligarch is not helping the president – to say the least – who has been accused during his presidential campaign of being a puppet of Kolomoyskyi.
Lavrov and Shoigu Visit Japan – Fail to Make Breakthrough on Kuril Islands
On May 30, Russian foreign and defense ministers paid a visit to Japan to hold talks with their Japanese counterparts Takeshi Iwaya and Taro Kono. The meeting ended in failure as no progress has been made in the years-long territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands. So Russia and Japan chose to focus on military issues, with the latter protesting against Moscow’s military buildup plans in the disputed area.
Gazprom’s TurkStream Sneaks Into Central Europe
Russia’s largest gas pipeline venture has so far been developing without significant problems that had slowed down the implementation of a gas project on the northern flank. Unlike the case of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Gazprom has not encountered any major obstacles while constructing TurkStream.
Conference summary: Western Balkans: infrastructure, energy, geopolitics
The international conference “Western Balkans: Infrastructure and Energy From a Geopolitical Perspective” was part of the official program of Poland’s presidency of the Berlin Process and served as a preparatory meeting for the 2019 Western Balkans Summit, which will take place in Poznań.
New Presidents in Latvia and Lithuania
In one country, a president has been elected by a popular vote, in the other – by a vote of the parliament. The method of choosing the head of state is connected with the scope of presidential power. The President of Lithuania has far greater powers than the President of Latvia. Both new leaders have centre-right views, they are definitely pro-European and see the futures of their countries in NATO.
Conference Report – Western Balkans: Infrastructure, Energy, Geopolitics
The following report is a part of an international conference “Western Balkans: Infrastructure and Energy from a Geopolitical Perspective” that took place in Warsaw on May 29, 2019. The event was part of the official program of Poland’s presidency of the Berlin Process and served as a preparatory meeting for the 2019 Western Balkans Summit in Poznań.
Russia Blasts Recent Kosovo-Serbia Tensions
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced a raid launched by Kosovo police in the Serb-dominated north of the country as “provocation.” Among detained in the incident was a Russian citizen, released after Moscow’s intervention. The incident sparked off Serbia’s violent reaction, prompting the country to put its army on full combat readiness.
Warmer Relations Between Poland and Lithuania
Polish-Lithuanian bilateral ties have evolved many times over the centuries, ranging from friendly and close relations at the times of the Polish to Lithuanian Commonwealth to far more distant over the past century. Now Poland and Lithuania have an excellent chance to enhance their economic, cultural and political emotions, grasping an opportunity of two-sided engagement and their presence in the European Union and NATO.
Taliban’s Visit to Moscow Comes As Part of Russia’s Afghan Intrigue
Russia continuously threatens with alleged danger from the so-called Islamic State and back the Taliban. It also called on the parties to the conflict to launch a peaceful dialogue while urging the United States and NATO to withdraw from the war-ravaged country. Moscow’s primary goal in Afghanistan consists of becoming a key mediator in the Afghan civil war and securing dominant influences in Kabul.
Russia Hopes to Increase Oil Output
The oil output-cut agreement is set to expire by the end of June 2019, putting an end to six months of restriction in oil production imposed on OPEC+ countries. And it is possible that this will also halt the belt-tightening policy, making the oil-producing countries, with Saudi Arabia and Russia at the forefront, surge their overall oil output.
The Leader of The Romanian Ruling Party in Prison
Liviu Dragnea – the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) may spend even three and a half years in prison. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and upheld its decision in this matter. The sentence concerned, among others, the abuse of power.
Russia’s Siloviki Head to Tajikistan, Moscow’s Important Ally
Top officials of Russia’s power structures paid a visit to Tajikistan’s capital of Dushanbe within a few days exactly several weeks after a meeting held between presidents of the two countries. Moscow has in recent time boosted its diplomatic activity in bilateral Russian-Tajik ties.
The Opposition Wins The Elections in Romania
As for now, this concerns the elections to the European Parliament which for many people are of little importance but the failure of the ruling PSD is a fact. This may mean a great challenge for the Social Democrats in the face of the following elections. The elections in May were only the beginning of a series of elections including presidential and parliamentary elections.
Russia Ignores The Decision Regarding Captive Sailors
Moscow does not agree on the offer of negotiations proposed by Volodymyr Zelensky at the day of his presidential swearing-in. Russians are still being rigid in relations with Kiev. The reaction to the judgement of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the case of Ukrainian sailors kept in prisons in Moscow is the sign of it.
Warsaw Institute
