Russia Monitor Monthly 7/23
Content
Belarus Loses Dispute Over Oil Transit Fees
Minsk and Moscow failed to reach a new oil deal after lengthy negotiations over an increase in the tariff on oil transit via the territory of Belarus.
Pompeo Pledges US Support For Sovereign Belarus During Minsk Visit
Held in a warm atmosphere, the U.S. top diplomat’s meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has come as a vital signal of Washington’s support for sovereign Belarus.
Putin “Supreme Leader”? Slowdown in Russia’s Constitutional Overhaul
The second reading of the draft bill on Russia’s constitutional amendments was scheduled to take place as early as February, followed by a nationwide vote in April.
Gazprom Struggles to Maintain Position in Europe
Russian gas giant Gazprom plans to maintain gas exports to European countries at the record-hitting level of previous years, Elena Burmistrova, the head of Gazprom’s exporting arm Gazprom Export, was quoted as saying.
Erdogan Criticizes Russia: Crisis or Tactical Move?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on January 29 said Russia had violated agreements to reduce the fighting in Syria’s Idlib region.
Russia’s Lavrov Flies to Latin America in Response to Pompeo’s Central Asia Tour
In early February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will leave for Latin America to visit Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Putin Makes the Rules of the Game
In the face of the growing problems in the country and the regime that is plunging into stagnation, Vladimir Putin has applied shock therapy.
Is Bulgaria Weak Link in Russia’s TurkStream Gas Pipeline?
One billion cubic meters of gas pumped in less than a month was what Gazprom has recently boasted about, meaning the TurkStream natural gas pipeline inaugurated earlier this year.
Lukoil Asks Putin For Caspian Oilfields While Hoping to Purchase Assets Overseas
With increasingly limited prospects on Russia’s domestic market, Lukoil plans to develop investments in Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.
Russia Returns to the European Stage
Russia’s return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is a proof that Europe sees growing political potential for a “reset” in its relations with Moscow.
U.S. Military Forces Block Russian Patrols in Syria
Syria’s northeastern provinces have recently seen a series of frictions between Russia and the United States. In most cases, U.S. forces have attempted to stop Russian convoys on the strategic M4 highway, not allowing them to enter the Kurdish-controlled oilfields.
Should Pompeo’s Eurasian Tour Worry the Kremlin?
Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan: it has been a long time since a senior U.S. official last made a long tour of post-Soviet countries.
Belarus and Russia Embroiled in Crude Dispute
Belarus has not gained any profits from processing cheap Russian crude since early January 2020, with each consecutive day incurring losses to the state budget.
Russia’s “Corrupt Stabilization”
Released by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International, the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report said Russia ranked 137th out of 180 countries rated.
No Disagreements With Gazprom? Novatek Unveils Ambitious Plans
Russia’s largest private gas producer Novatek has outlined a plan to double investments, boost output and exports and launch more liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. The
Russia’s Kozak Takes On a New Task
As a result of a massive shakeup in Russia’s political elites, some of the former cabinet members found new jobs in the presidential administration.
Double Hit Against Russia: Bulgaria, Novichok and Spies
Two days were enough for Bulgaria to take two steps that are likely to aggravate the crisis that erupted in its ties with Moscow in the wake of a series of spy scandals back in the autumn of 2019.
OPEC+ Is Favorable For Russia
For the first time in Russia’s alliance with OPEC, the country is changing the way it complies with its oil-output curbs. In
An Integrated Approach to NATO Communications – Bruxelles Conference
The key aspects raised during the conference were the current challenges in communicating alliance activity, the fight against disinformation, and the use of modern technologies, as well as upcoming DEFENDER EUROPE 2020 manuovers.
What Does A New Prosecutor General Mean For Russia?
What came as one of the elements of massive reshuffles in Russia’s key institutions, marked by recent proposals to amend the constitution and the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev’s government, was the dismissal of the country’s senior prosecutor.
Warsaw Institute
