RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 12/2021
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Lukashenko, Putin Discuss Military In Russia
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko met in St. Petersburg on the sidelines of an informal CIS summit, a meeting that confirms Moscow’s growing appetite to integrate its military with Belarus as soon as possible. Belarus is growing in importance for Russia amid mounting tensions with the North Atlantic Alliance and a tug-of-war in Ukraine.
Russia Boasts of New S-550 Missile System Capable of Targeting Satellites
Russia has successfully tested the S-550 air defense system, Russian military sources reported on December 28. The new system is derived from the S-500 Prometheus but will be capable of hitting ICBMs and satellites. It is another step toward building a Russian offensive space capacity that is dangerous to U.S. items orbiting around the Earth.
Hypersonic Weapons and Nuclear-Powered Vessels: A Russian Demonstration of Power?
An inherent part of the Russian policy is to convince the world of its military might. This explains why Moscow has recently hailed multiple launch tests or some hand-over ceremonies, especially amid smoldering tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine and NATO’s posture in Central and Eastern Europe.
Rosneft Approves New Strategy By 2030
The board of directors at Rosneft approved the new strategy “Rosneft-2030: Reliable Energy and Global Energy Transition.” It targets reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while further improving the operational and financial efficiency of the company.
Russia Sends “Governor” To Minsk
Moscow is replacing its incumbent ambassador to Belarus who has been in office for just a few months. A new candidate will be tasked with ensuring that the Kremlin consolidates its grip on the regime in Belarus. A new Russian ambassador to Minsk is an experienced official and a longtime ally of Vladimir Putin.
Putin Threatens NATO With Military Drills
The Russian leader is carrying on his information warfare against Western nations while pondering various options if they fail to meet Moscow’s demands for security guarantees. NATO offered to sit at the negotiating table on January 12, 2022, to discuss this topic, among others. Before this, the Kremlin might be using the military buildup to create a position of strength, also by comparing the standoff now to the Cold War-era Cuban missile crisis.
Putin Blames West For Stoking Tensions
It is nothing new that the Russian president threatens NATO and the United States, a strategy that now fits into Moscow’s policy of intimidating Western nations. Moscow distorts the fact, saying the West is posing a threat to Russia that has to respond accurately. Naturally, the situation looks different: Moscow’s aggressive behavior compels the United States and NATO to act defensively.
Vostok Oil: Trafigura Investment Backed By Russian Loans
Trafigura Group’s risk is limited in its investment in Vostok Oil, the company’s chief financial officer told Bloomberg News. Disclosing some details is beneficial for state-run Rosneft that is still looking to attract some foreign investors into its major Arctic project.
Occupied Donbas: A Stronghold Of Russian Military
The so-called people’s republics in Donbas are in fact under Russian occupation. Moscow appoints the “authorities” in Donetsk and Luhansk as it provides financial assistance to both rebel-held areas. However, what links the occupied Donbas and Moscow is security, as confirmed by recent reports from Ukrainian intelligence services.
European Gas Prices Jump To Record As Russia Cuts Off Flows
After talking to Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said gas flows through Nord Stream 2 would be cut off if Russia invaded Ukraine. Nonetheless, Germany is not likely to bend to U.S. pressure. Having unfrozen the project, Biden has no longer any tool of pressure on the authorities in Berlin. Nord Stream 2 will not be a Western argument against Russia, as stated by the new Austrian chancellor.
Nord Stream 2 Under Special Protection
After talking to Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said gas flows through Nord Stream 2 would be cut off if Russia invaded Ukraine. Nonetheless, Germany is not likely to bend to U.S. pressure. Having unfrozen the project, Biden has no longer any tool of pressure on the authorities in Berlin. Nord Stream 2 will not be a Western argument against Russia, as stated by the new Austrian chancellor.
High Oil Prices Make Russian Production More Profitable
Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin said oil extraction costs in Russia were unacceptable at the current price of hydrocarbon. For the production cycle, they range from $15 to $45 per barrel, he said.
Russia Lays Out Unrealistic Demands For U.S. And NATO
The Russian foreign ministry has presented the United States with a set of proposals for binding Western security guarantees during a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried in Moscow on December 15.
Beijing, Moscow Form A New Anti-American Axis
The Russia-China summit confirmed their lasting alliance targeting the United States. The video meeting was vital for Vladimir Putin who has in recent months stiffened his anti-Western stance to force the United States into concessions on Ukraine and NATO’s policy in Central and Eastern Europe.
Nord Stream 2: Inverted Meaning, Russian Triumph
For many years now, no one ever doubted that Nord Stream 2 had served Russia while targeting Ukraine. The only difference was whether the gas link was a purely economic project, according to Germany, or political, notably for Ukraine, Poland, and some other European countries, and the Trump administration.
Ukraine In The Middle Of Great Power Politics
After recent talks, President Joe Biden reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Western support for Ukraine, yet adding this would not involve any military assistance. Many signs are that the United States, France, and Germany will force Ukraine into some Donbas concessions amid growing pressure from Moscow. At stake might be Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
Not Only Ukraine and Georgia: What Does Russia Want From NATO?
Moscow is stiffening its stance on the North Atlantic Alliance. Indeed, the Russian military buildup along the border with Ukraine sought to make Western nations discuss NATO’s activity near Russia. The Kremlin has warned the West not to cross a “red line” with Russia, saying such a move would trigger a “military” offensive. It is yet unclear where this “red line” is actually going.
Gazprom Neft Reaches Record Hydrocarbon Output In 2021
Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary of Russian energy giant Gazprom, is seeking to reach record-high gas and oil output this year. The increase is due to changes in restrictions on oil production under the OPEC+ agreement.
Biden-Putin Meeting: Kremlin Has Reasons To Be Pleased
After a video link with U.S. President Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would submit its proposals for a security dialogue with the United States in a few days. Biden said he would announce the date of a meeting of five major NATO allies and Russia, to discuss the future of Russia’s concerns relative to NATO. All signs are that the December 7 meeting opened a new chapter in U.S.-Russia negotiations, where the Kremlin chooses what to discuss.
Putin’s India Visit Means Arms and Energy Deals
While Russian President Vladimir Putin went to New Delhi for talks, many focused on a batch of military deals that mean more Russian weapons and equipment for India. But the two countries are also reinforcing their ties through energy cooperation. Not incidentally, while in Moscow in September, the Indian energy minister was encouraged to invest in Vostok Oil, Rosneft’s giant energy project in the Arctic.
Warsaw Institute
