RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 05/2021
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Russia Intimidates the West with Nuclear Weapons
A vessel of Russia’s Pacific Fleet test-fired a salvo of Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles while a few days earlier the country’s military had held its nuclear triad drills in a show of readiness of Moscow’s nuclear forces against the United States and NATO. This cannot be taken lightly.
Putin Promotes Northern Fleet Commander, Strengthens the Arctic
As the commander of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin signed a decree promoting senior military officials. In addition, the leader of the Northern Fleet – a formation whose status will be equivalent to Russia’s fourth other military districts from 2021 – was appointed to Admiral.
Russia Reports Dramatic Drop in Export Figures
Russia Monitor is a review of the most important events related to Russian internal and external security, as well as its foreign policies. Date: Russia Reports Dramatic Drop in Export Figures The global economic slowdown amid the coronavirus pandemic...
China is a Growing Threat, Czech Counterintelligence says
A report on threats to the security of the Czech Republic was published by the Czech Security Information Service (BIS) at the end of November 2020. It was underlined that the activity of Chinese intelligence in the Czech Republic is becoming increasingly visible and that it is conducted in numerous different fields.
Novak Gets Supervision over Energy Giants
Although Alexander Novak stepped down as Russia’s energy minister in November, he will still control Russia’s biggest oil and gas companies as a new deputy prime minister. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved a new division of powers in his cabinet to distribute control of some state businesses between deputy prime ministers.
The NATO 2030 Report – Proposals Concerning China
A group of experts, appointed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, has prepared a report entitled “NATO 2030. United for a New Era” on strengthening political cohesion of the Alliance. Much attention was devoted to China, whose growth calls on NATO to act.
Assessment of the Polish Presidency in the Visegrád Group
The sixth Polish Presidency in the Visegrád Group (V4) began on July 1, 2020. It will last until June 30, 2021, and its motto is “Back on track.” This is the first ever Presidency, throughout which the majority of the meetings are held remotely. Despite the undoubtedly difficult economic and epidemic situation, the initiatives of the Polish Presidency shall be assessed positively.
Russian Disinformation in Latvia
Of the Baltic states, Latvia has the largest proportion of Russians who constitute a quarter of the country’s population, and over 36% of residents in its capital, Riga. Yet, Moscow’s propaganda is not limited to the Russian language channels, nor is it just a Latvia’s problem. In fact, it is a threat to the whole NATO’s Eastern flank.
5G Network in China: Development, Opportunities and Threats
Over 700,000 5G base stations have been set up in China by the end of November 2020, allowing to connect more than 180 million terminal devices in the new technological standard. The pandemic did not slow down the modernization of telecommunications infrastructure – the achieved result exceeded expectations from the beginning of the year by over 200,000.
China and Russia in Central Asia – Rivalry or Division of Labor?
For two decades, Central Asia has been one of the most discussed topics with regards to relations between Beijing and Moscow. Since the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR, the region has been considered a sphere of Russian influence and a part of the so-called “near abroad.” Yet, since the middle of the 2000s, there has been a noticeable increase in Chinese activity.
Germany’s AfD Visits Moscow: Is This Kremlin’s Attempt to Discipline Merkel?
It is not coincidence that Germany’s top opposition party has paid a visit to Moscow right now. With this invitation, the authorities in Moscow show their German counterparts they have other conversation partners in Germany. This serves as an attempt to exert pressure on Angela Merkel and Germany’s ruling coalition to quit its firm actions after the attempted poisoning of Russian opposition activist Alexey Navalny and come back to the business-as-usual attitude towards Russia.
Together for EU Enlargement – V4 and WB6 Strenghtening Cohesion of EU Integration and Berlin Process
The Warsaw Institute Foundation had the pleasure to participate in the project “Together for EU Enlargement – V4 and WB6 Strenghtening Cohesion of EU Integration and Berlin Process”, organized by the European Movement in Montenegro with the support of the International Visegrad Fund and the Government of Montenegro.
Turkey, Russia Sign Deal for Karabakh Peacekeeping Center
The Russian and Turkish defense ministries sealed a deal to monitor a truce over the Nagorno-Karabakh region from a joint peacekeeping center. It was about setting technical details for dispatching and operating the facility. However, Moscow and Ankara did not settle the project entirely, a move that shows these two still have distinct opinions on the issue.
NATO Expert Report: How to Efficiently Stop Russia?
A two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers was held in early December where the officials discussed reforms to amend the military bloc, among other topics. Therefore, an expert group wrote a report outlining suggestions about how to reboot the alliance. The high-level paper mentions still-belligerent Russia and its military potential as a chief task for the alliance.
How Will Sandu’s Victory Change the Political Scene in Moldova?
The second round of the presidential election in Moldova took place on Sunday, November 15. Maia Sandu, the pro-Western leader of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), won 57% of the vote and was declared the winner of the election. Her rival was the former president Igor Dodon, a supporter of integration with Russian geopolitical projects such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The Three Seas Initiative and its external environment | Summary of the debate
On Thursday, December 3, 2020, the Warsaw Institute and The Warsaw Institute Review, in cooperation with Collegium Interethnicum, organized an online debate entitled “The Three Seas Initiative and its external environment.” The starting point for the discussion was the report devoted to this initiative by Piotr Bajda (PhD), one of the speakers.
Swiss Intelligence Services Report on China
The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) reviewed the threats facing the country in its annual report “Switzerland’s Security 2020.” It contained many references to the Middle Kingdom.
Huawei in Poland and Hungary. Could it be a part of 5G?
Since the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, Huawei has achieved a leading position on the markets of the Visegrád Group, both in terms of digital infrastructure and mobile devices. During Donald Trump’s presidency (2017-2021), the US authorities made extensive diplomatic efforts to eliminate Huawei from the European Union’s (EU) 5G infrastructure, pointing to political and intelligence threats and the company’s cooperation with the Communist Party of China.
Rosneft Plans to Sell Some Deposits Amid Costly Vostok Oil Project
Rosneft plans to sell depleted assets to streamline the company and raise funds for its priority project Vostok Oil, according to sources in the Russian crude industry. Many signs are that some of the latest official and unofficial news might be a deliberate leak from Rosneft.
U.S.-Russia Navy Incident in the North Pacific
Moscow accused the United States of violating its border after the USS John McCain had sailed into what Russia believed to be its territorial waters. The United States does not hide that the incident was a deliberate move to show that the gulf belongs to international waters. This marked the latest navy incident in the North Pacific in the vicinity of both countries.
Warsaw Institute
