Russia Monitor Monthly 7/23
Content
Russia’s Lukoil Makes Higher Profit
Though bereft of much of financial favors from the state, Lukoil, one of the biggest Russian oil firms, reported good commercial results for 2019, even despite falling oil prices.
Russia’s Rosneft Exits Venezuela, Sechin Reaps Double Benefit
Russian oil giant Rosneft sold its assets in Venezuela to the Russian government. The company would be receiving a settlement payment worth a 9.6 percent share of Rosneft’s equity capital, or some $4 billion.
Coronavirus in Russia: Moscow’s Sobyanin Plays a Risky Game
With the coronavirus epidemic, plunging oil prices and an increasingly acute crisis in the country come political intrigues and fierce competition for influence and power.
Russia’s Rosneft Paid Exorbitant Amount to Mystery Consultant in Kurdistan
For years Russia has been the biggest foreign investor in Iraqi Kurdistan. Of all the country’s majors, state-run oil giant Rosneft has been most active, serving a comparable role to that in Venezuela.
Chinese humiliation in the Czech Republic
With the increasing number of coronavirus infected people in Europe, China supports the chaotic West. However, help is not always what it seems to be and often the hidden agenda of the action taken is revealed.
The oil earthquake
The collapse of the market is caused not only by the reduction in fuel demand worldwide, but also by the price war between Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation. And this one continues at its best.
The Largest U.S.-Polish Military Exercise Amid a Coronavirus Pandemic
Though amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, U.S. Army Europe said that Defender-Europe 20, in which Poland was to serve its role, would be modified while some drills canceled.
Warsaw Institute’s expert live on Polish national tv
Grzegorz Kuczynski, Warsaw Institute’s expert in Eurasian and Russian politics has taken part in a live broadcast on Polish national channel (TVP Info) on the 22nd of March, 2020. There, he spoke about the issue of Russian manipulations related to the number of COVID-19 cases inside the country.
Coronavirus in Russia: Unbelievably Low Infection Figures and Belated Measures
Russian crisis management center said on March 22 the country will not impose strict quarantine measures amid the recent coronavirus outbreak.
China expels American journalists
On Wednesday, March 18, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that the correspondents of the three biggest American dailies – the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Washington Post – would lose their accreditations and would not be able to work in China.
Putin Seeks to Stay in Power through Unlawful Constitutional Amendment
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a rush to push forward changes to the country’s political system –– while not waiting for any adverse effects of the latest coronavirus outbreak nor the global oil price war.
China and the end of the high growth dreams
The drastic deterioration of the economic situation in China is indicated both by official government data and foreign statistics. In February, the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) in Chinese industry fell from 50 to 35.7 points, which is the lowest level since the global financial crisis in 2008 (38.8 points).
China, the coronavirus and “the twilight of the West”
Gaining control over the coronavirus spread in China launched an intensive propaganda campaign aiming to clear the Party’s image of the guilt for the pandemic and to stress the effectiveness of its leadership.
Downtime in China: an impact on oil markets and other businesses
The spreading epidemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 brings various consequences: not only social, but also economic.
China’s financial support for Syria
China made a donation which will cover the realisation of humanitarian projects. This is another step of Beijing aiming to increase its political influence in the Middle East.
Warsaw Institute’ expert in the wPolsce.pl
On March 12, 2020, the Warsaw Institute expert – Jakub Lachert appeared in the ‘wPolsce.pl’ TV program, where he, together with other invited guests commented on the current situation in the Western Balkans.
Disinformation Is Contagious
As disinformation comes before fear, worry and anxiety are on the rise, allowing conspiracy theories to proliferate.
Warsaw Insitute in the Poland In’s TV Studio
On March 6, 2020, the editor of Poland In – Bartek Morawski has invited Ms Julia Grzybowska, the Vice President of the Warsaw Institute to give an interview focused on what the Foundation does.
Important announcement regarding the COVID-19 pandemics
Due to the spreading coronavirus epidemic, the Warsaw Institute team and The Warsaw Institute Review have decided to cancel all events we organize until further notice.
The Chinese march towards the ocean fleet
At the turn of 2019 and 2020, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) put into service the first built domestically aircraft carrier “Shandong” (山东舰, type 002) and the second biggest in the world guided missile destroyer “Nanchang” (南昌 type 055).
Warsaw Institute
