Russia Monitor Monthly 7/23
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Gazprom Lobbyists Among Finland’s High-Ranking Government Officials
When the Russians, together with their Western partners, were busy implementing further gas pipeline projects through the Baltic Sea, Finland was the least of their problems. The government in Helsinki had no trouble granting all necessary consents for the construction of both Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2.
Moldova: Vlad Plahotniuc Steps Down as PDM Leader
On Monday, June 23, Vlad Plahotniuc resigned as the leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM). Vlad Plahotniuc has been the PDM chairman since 2016, of course, putting aside the fact that long before he was nominated for the position, he had been the party’s most influential figure. As the richest person in the Republic of Moldova, Vlad Plahotniuc has had a considerable influence on the most important state structures.
Russian Paratroopers Deployed to Serbia As Part of Slavic Brotherhood 2019 Drills
The joint Serbian-Russian-Belarusian tactical military maneuvers Slavic Brotherhood have recently culminated in Serbia. The state authorities emphasized the political importance of the drills amid tensions with neighboring Kosovo. Military exercises and the rhetoric adopted by the majority of local politicians and media confirm ever-closer cooperation between Belgrade and Moscow.
Constitutional Court of Romania on the Presidential Referendum
Judges of the Constitutional Court of Romania officially recognised the referendum organised by President Klaus Iohannis as valid. Over 40 percent of voters took part in the referendum which was held at the occasion of the elections to the European Parliament. Most of the voters supported the president’s proposal.
Druzhba’s “Failure of Century”: Rosneft versus Transneft
It has not yet been established who is responsible for the pollution of oil in the Druzhba pipeline. With the ongoing investigation, it seems that small companies from distant parts of Russia will be to blame for tainting crude shipped via the pipeline. Naturally, none of them accounts for the technical failure that must have been caused by a large oil firm.
Oil Price Jumps in Russia Following Government-Oilers Contract Expiry
The Russian government has decided not to prolong the deal to retain control over the retail prices of fuels it concluded a year ago with oil companies. Gasoline prices will slightly go up starting from July 1, with the two parties to the agreement saying that the growth in prices will not be higher than inflation. Although the deal will not be renewed, the fuel sector will still be manually controlled by the regime.
Council of Europe Restores Russia’s Rights in PACE Despite Ukraine’s Protests
The decision of the majority of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to restore Russia’s voting rights means the end of the policy of European solidarity towards Moscow and the acceptance of its aggressive moves. It can now be expected that similar attempts of such a ‘‘reset’’ will also be made in other areas and through other pan-European institutions.
Chinese-Russian Unequal Partnership
The gaps and discrepancies between China and Russia are so weak that both countries do not see themselves as competitors. However, all disparities in Moscow’s and Beijing’s interests are an obstacle to the two states’ lasting and durable alliance while imposing the construction of a new model of a “system of great states”.
Russians in the Caribbean: Sending Signal for Trump Before Osaka Summit
A few days ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Osaka Russia showed its military engagement in the Western Hemisphere close to the United States. The Kremlin showed at the same time its firm support for Cuba and Venezuela, both of which have strained relations with the United Staes.
One Step Away From Extradition: Is This The End of Dmytro Firtash, Ukraine’s Gas Oligarch?
It seems as if the legal battle of Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash is coming to an end. However, the final verdict does not look very favourable for the man who used to shake up Ukraine’s gas sector for many years. The Austrian Supreme Court of Justice has finally ruled that the Ukrainian can be handed over to the U.S. justice system.
Strategy Duologues on Geopolitics at the Embassy of Indonesia
As part of the Strategy Duologues on Geopolitics project, editorial staff of The Warsaw Institute Review quarterly and representative of the Warsaw Institute think tank held a meeting with the Ambassador of Indonesia in Poland and key diplomats of the Indonesian institution.
Ingushetia’s Head Quits Amid Kadyrov Deal and Crisis
The head of the Russian region of Ingushetia Yunus-bek Yevkurov has announced his intention to step down. But it is not known whether his resignation will help alleviate tensions sparked by an unfavorable border agreement with the neighboring region of Chechnya. What happened in the republic got out of the control, and Russian federal siloviki even came to the region.
Putin’s “Direct Line” Show Makes No Breakthrough
What Putin reassured during his annual live phone-in show answering questions and appeals from the Russian citizens, will fail to change the country’s political situation and leverage the president’s popularity ratings. The Russian leader took part in the seventeenth edition of the Q&A session, but this time he did not do well at all, missing to allay widespread fears over the decay in living standards and suggesting that the country will not reorient its current policy.
Sabre-rattling in the Crimea. Su-35 over the Black Sea?
Russia is enhancing its military potential in its southern-western flank. This is a response to the increased NATO activity in the Black Sea, but this is also an element of the increasing military potential in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and in the Middle East. According to the media leakage, Moscow will finally realise the promises and deploy its most modern fighters in the Crimea.
Who Staged “Russophobic Provocation” in Georgia?
Several thousand people took to the streets of Tbilisi to protest against Russia; however, their rallies quickly took on the anti-government character, and Russia uses mounting tensions to escalate its relations with Georgia. But Moscow gave a threatening tone to the situation and took extraordinary yet unjustified steps. As it seems, the Kremlin will soon seek to play the Georgian issue in several aspects.
German Support for the Ruling Coalition in Moldova
Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel congratulated Maia Sandu from the ACUM (Now) Bloc on becoming the Prime Minister of Moldova. The new government consisting of the pro-European ACUM Bloc and the pro-Russian Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova was established as a protest against the governance of the Social Democratic Party of Moldova.
“Liberal” Kudrin In Firing Line to Become Kremlin’s Scapegoat?
In just a few days, Russian Audit Chamber head Alexei Kudrin, seen by the ruling team as a “liberal outsider,” has suffered painful blows both from the government and, more importantly, from the Kremlin. First, he got a sharp rebuke from the Russian prime minister for his critical views on the state’s economic policy.
More Troops, More Gas: Poland’s Best Ally
The Polish president arrived in the United States to pay what was called the best visit for many years, marking yet another significant step in cementing the alliance between the two countries. What was agreed by Trump and Duda bolstered Poland’s position as Washington’s key partner on NATO’s eastern flank and one of its few important allies across Europe.
Large-Scale Military Exercise Iron Wolf 2019 Ends in Lithuania
On June 21, the largest two-week military exercise in Lithuania, in which about 4,000 soldiers of the Lithuanian Army and allied countries took part in, came to an end. As reported by the Command of the Lithuanian Army, the exercise, which was mainly aimed at improving military mobility and the speed of transferring troops to different parts of the country, went according to plan.
Representatives of the European Union Thank Romania for the Half-Year Presidency
The President of the European Council Donald Tusk and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker thanked Romanians for the results achieved during their half-year presidency over the European Union. The praise is especially significant as the Romanian presidency took place during a special time for the whole Union. The elections for the European Parliament happened in May and Brexit was the main topic.
Warsaw Institute
