RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 05/2021
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Russia Resumes Oil Production In Libya
As Libya’s political and military situation returned to the relative normal, the country is now seeing a renewal of business activities, also in its oil and gas sector. So also Russian companies resumed production; they secured many licenses in the country back at the time when Gaddafi was in power.
Rosneft Makes Next Step Towards Development Of Vostok Oil
Russia Monitor is a review of the most important events related to Russian internal and external security, as well as its foreign policies. Date: Rosneft Makes Next Step Towards Development Of Vostok Oil Rosneft officially starts construction of its...
Russian Strategic Bombers In Syria Are A Problem For NATO
Russia said it had the ability for the first time to operate long-range strategic nuclear-capable bombers from its air base in Syria. The Hmeymim airfield was upgraded allowing Russia to manage long-range aircraft from the base, also Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers. Three long-range bombers of that type had flown to Hmeymim. They would hold training exercises in new geographical areas over the Mediterranean Sea before returning to their permanent airfields in Russia.
Top U.S. and Russian Officials Hold Talks Ahead of Biden-Putin Meeting
First, top U.S. and Russian diplomats held a meeting, followed by the talks between security chiefs. A summit between the U.S. and Russian leaders is coming close. Statements after both meetings show that only a disaster could torpedo a face-to-face talk between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden.
Event Summary: Poland’s National Defense Fund and Diversified Financial Involvement of Polish Residents by Region
On May 25, 2021, the Warsaw Institute hosted Dr. Jan Wiśniewski who delivered a lecture titled Poland’s National Defense Fund and Diversified Financial Involvement of Polish Residents by Region.
Gazprom Is Not Keen To Give Up Control Over Yamal Fields To Novatek
Russian energy giant Gazprom alone cannot efficiently manage the gigantic Tambey fields, neither does it plan to give up its control over the resources to its biggest rival. The state-run firm does not bow to pressure from the Kremlin, either. The company will indeed give its exclusive license to a business partner in a newly established venture, but not to Novatek.
The First Major Middle East Crisis Under Joe Biden
Introduced on May 21, 2021, a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip brought an end to fresh tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict, or the first major crisis in the Middle East since Joe Biden was sworn in. Since new strains on May 10, Hamas militants have fired hundreds of rockets towards Israel whose forces replied with a military tit-for-tat.
China and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
On Sunday, May 16, during an open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi formulated four proposals to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has escalated again recently. In his speech, the Minister outlined the necessary actions as well as criticized Israel and the US for their unwillingness to stop the conflict.
All Quiet on the Jerusalem Front
Recently, the world’s media have been abuzz with reports of yet another escalation of tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. One of the longest and most complex ongoing conflicts around the globe has once again manifested its presence to the public. Since May 10, thousands of rockets have already been launched from the Gaza Strip at Tel Aviv, among other targets. Israel immediately responded to Palestinian rocket fire. Hundreds of civilians have already lost their lives from the clashes. What factors have led to the renewed escalation of the conflict?
Novatek Becomes One of Putin’s Favorite Companies
Russia’s biggest private gas producer has for years been seen as the one from where even Vladimir Putin could reap benefits. As a private firm, Novatek does not have to follow the same transparency rules as state-run giants. A key businessman in the company is Gennady Timchenko whom the Russian leader met back in the 1990s. It seems that the Kremlin has chosen Gazprom as a key piped gas company while Novatek will emerge as the country’s number one liquefied natural gas producer.
Gazprom Is Optimistic About Export Forecasts
The state-run gas company Gazprom outlined its priorities for this year at a series of press conferences before the general meeting of shareholders. The company’s management also shared its export plans. The firm hopes to see a year-on-year increase in its gas sales figures. Interestingly, the company’s top priority is to send gas via pipelines to China. At the same time, Gazprom intends to develop its LNG trading division.
Cracked U.S. Sanctions Leave Nord Stream 2 Construction Unharmed
Russian vessel Fortuna has started laying pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in German waters, the gas project reported on May 23. A few days earlier the U.S. administration had added the vessel to its black list. The ship had earlier laid pipes in Danish waters. The vessel will be working in German waters until June 30, according to the schedule.
Witold Pilecki – a Flawless Hero
On the 120th anniversary of Witold Pilecki’s birth and the 73rd anniversary of his martyr’s death, it is vital to recall one of the most heroic and outstanding soldiers of the Polish armed underground resistance movement during World War II.
Lukashenko Accused Of Hijacking The Plane, Putin Invites Him to Further Repression
Forcing a passenger jet flying from Greece to Lithuania to land in Minsk to detain a passenger is an act of state terror of the Belarusian regime. A brazen KGB operation would not have been possible without the approval––and perhaps the aid––of the Russian special agencies. Vladimir Putin has responded to Western weakness, also that of Joe Biden who decided not to impede the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Russian Espionage at the core of NATO: the “Biot case”
A recently discovered case of Russian espionage in Italy revealed a major threat to the security of NATO. Italy-Russia relations have been under close observation of the international forum, with their motives questioned and investigated by security experts worldwide. Concerns have been raised about the possible repercussion of Rome’s privileged economic and political partnership with the Kremlin in the European and NATO contexts. Because of the “Biot case” the security of NATO might be at stake.
China’s Vaccine and Mask Diplomacy in Hungary – Podcast
A several-hour long virtual summit of the Heads of States of the 17+1 format members, i.e., the Central and Eastern European Countries and China, took place on February 9, 2021. For the first time in the history of the initiative, China was represented by the President of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping. It was another opportunity for Beijing to make its presence in the region known.
NATO’s nuclear deterrent instruments continue to be an important component of the Alliance’s security: “THE FUTURE OF NATO’S NUCLEAR DEFENSE POSTURE” MEETING
EVENTS Date: NATO's nuclear deterrent instruments continue to be an important component of the Alliance's security: "THE FUTURE OF NATO'S NUCLEAR DEFENSE POSTURE" MEETING NATO's nuclear deterrent instruments will remain an important element of the...
Nord Stream 2: Germany Is More Important For Biden That Ukraine And Poland
The United States will not halt the construction of a dangerous gas pipeline for its Central and Eastern European allies amid its eagerness to get along with Berlin. It is a return to the policy of Barack Obama back when the United States put European affairs into the hands of Germany. The announcement to suspend new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 could come as a surprise as this takes place between a meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, which certainly enfeebles Washington’s negotiating position.
Russia Has Produced Less Crude Oil In 2021
Russia’s biggest oil company produced 3.7 million barrels of crude oil throughout the first quarter of 2021, marking a 19.2 percent drop year-on-year. Other Russian oil producers saw a decline in their energy output, too, amid OPEC+ curbs.
Russia’s State Duma Votes To Leave Open Skies Treaty
Moscow made another effort to smash the post-Cold War arms control system, this time for conventional weapons. Russia has just made a big step towards the exit from the Open Skies pact. The West will soon lose an ability to control the Russian armed forces, albeit their stockpile is not full.
Warsaw Institute
