Russia Monitor Monthly 7/23
Content
Crimea, Gangsters and Opposition: Putin at Babylon’s Shadow Show
Russia’s official propaganda has made efforts to ignore or disregard Moscow’s most massive opposition protests in many years, and so did the authorities. Russian President Vladimir Putin went to Crimea to meet with the representatives of the Night Wolves motorcycle club, known for its allegiance to the Kremlin.
Russian “Contractors” In the Service of the Kremlin
Since 2014, the Russian Federation has seen an increase in the number of operations per-formed by private military contractors.
Russia Sets Its Heliport in Gulf of Finland
A new helicopter base has been built on the Gogland Island in the Gulf of Finland, Russian Defense Ministry informed. Located in the middle of the Gulf, between Estonia and Finland, the heliport is said by Moscow to be an essential location for defense and security of the fleet’s military facilities in Kronstadt and St. Petersburg.
The end of the INF Treaty is good for Europe – interview for American National Review
Grzegorz Kuczyński, Director of Eurasia Program in Warsaw Institute (Poland) and Marcin Gawęda, President of The Warsaw Institute Foundation (USA), gave an interview to the American conservative National Review. In the article entitled “The End of the INF Treaty Is Good for Europe” by Christopher Tremoglie, there are answers why the end of the agreement between Russia and the U.S. is not bad for Central and Eastern Europe.
INF’s Demise is Russia’s Defeat
The United States officially pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. While announcing Washington’s ultimate decision, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Moscow of having violated the deal. Naturally, Moscow claims the United States is to be blamed for the end of the landmark agreement, a statement that was followed by Russia’s formal exit.
Lukoil–Rosneft 1:1. But The Game Is Not Over Yet
There has been an unexpected shift in a quarrel between Russia’s two largest oil firms over the price of using an oil terminal in the Arctic. After Russia’s antimonopoly watchdog had given a favorable verdict for the state-owned oil firm Rosneft, a court issued a ruling in favor of Lukoil, an oil company the remains in private hands. But this does not bring to a halt the long-lasting spat between the two energy giants, with more clashes to be soon expected in the courthouse. The struggle may negatively affect Russian oil exports that are experiencing a tough time at the moment.
Belarus and Russia Get Closer to Agreement After Druzhba Contamination Crisis
Seen as most affected by the Druzhba contamination crisis, the Belarusian section is said to have been thoroughly cleaned up of dirty oil. But the country has suffered massive financial losses after Russian-sourced crude flows were dramatically reduced, both in transit and for local refineries. Despite Minsk’s severe announcements, Moscow seems to be the one to dictate at least partial compensation for the failure.
Political Change in Ukraine: What’s Next with Ukraine’s Donbas Conflict?
Ukraine’s recent elections have yet again brought up the issue of settling conflicts in the eastern part of the country. But is Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s new president who had won a sweeping victory in both presidential and parliamentary races, capable of bringing peace in the midst of the ongoing dispute? Will he step up to Russian efforts aimed at maintaining the region within its sphere of influence?
New Missiles, New INF Treaty: Will Putin Share Gorbachev’s Fate?
Shortly after Washington’s pullout of the INF Treaty, U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants a new nuclear pact to be signed also by China. But this is now out of the question as Beijing has made its medium-range missile weapons a crucial part of its war strategy in the event of a conflict with the United States. So Russia may in the future need to sign a new nuclear disarmament deal.
Romania’s Presidential Race Kicks Into Gear
Even before the summer holidays, there was no candidate who wanted to compete with Romania’s currently serving president, Klaus Iohannis. Now, several politicians have declared their interest in running for the position.
Russia and China cooperation – a statement for South China Morning Post
Grzegorz Kuczyński, expert at the Warsaw Institute, gave an interview about increasing cooperation between China and Russia, especially in the energy sector.
Russian Regime Onto Moscow’s “Maidan”: The End of Navalny?
Russian opposition activist Aleksei Navalny and his anticorruption foundation, until now tolerated by the regime, may fall first victim to the Kremlin’s counterattack. Targeting at Navalny’s project confirms that the regime is prone to steer an ever-sharper course in its domestic policy.
INF Treaty: U.S.-Russian Outdated Pact – citation in the American National Review
The text from our special report „INF Treaty: U.S.-Russian Outdated Pact” was quoted in American National Review.
Poland’s Energy Revolution Will Break the Kremlin’s Gas Monopoly in 3 Years’ Time
In three years, Poland’s gas imports from Russia could be reduced even to zero, mainly thanks to U.S.-sourced liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas flows from Norway.
The EU Resumes Financial Assistance for Moldova
The funding was withheld by the European Union due to a corruption scandal leading to the withdrawal of around one billion dollars from Moldova’s banking system in 2014.
INF Treaty: U.S.-Russian Outdated Pact
The issue of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) Treaty has surged as one of the critical factors in U.S-Russian relations, contributing to their even greater deterioration while exerting a negative impact on Moscow’s future ties with Washington.
Pro-Moscow Party to Set a Trap for Zelensky in Ukraine’s Parliament
The Opposition Platform – For Life party obtained 13.05% of the vote in the recent parliamentary elections to the Verkhovna Rada, thanks to which it took second place, but with a gigantic loss against the winner. However, the seats have surely already been counted in the Kremlin and the Russians can see that the presidential party together with Viktor Medvedchuk’s party have a clear constitutional majority.
Romania Competing for EU Energy Commissioner
The government in Bucharest is seeking to put forward Romanian candidate Luminița Odobescu, who is currently Romania’s Ambassador to the European Union, for the position of European Commissioner for Energy. Five politicians from Central and Eastern Europe, including one from Poland, Minister Krzysztof Szczerski, the current Chief of the Cabinet of the President of Poland, are among contenders for the job.
The Finns Party Takes the Lead in Polls: The Right is Growing in Strength
The Eurosceptic Finns Party and the centre-right National Coalition Party are currently the two most popular parties in Finland. They both are the opposition to the centre-left government formed after the April parliamentary elections.
Sechin’s Tax Privileges At Risk: Is Putin Changing His Mind?
Putin’s latest decision has called into question Igor Sechin’s new oil projects that so far enjoyed substantial support from the state. The Kremlin’s move is surprising because until now, Putin expected that the government fulfill almost all of Sechin’s tax demands.
Warsaw Institute
