Russia Monitor Monthly 7/23
Content
A New Prime Minister for Special Assignments?
The decision on who was to replace Dmitry Medvedev as Russia’s next prime minister has shown Putin’s aspiration to improve the image of the government while pushing forward his social agenda more smoothly and efficiently.
Iran: A Golden Opportunity for the Kremlin
Just before Shiite militias stormed the US embassy in Baghdad, Sergey Lavrov had met with the head of Iranian diplomacy.
The Constitution According to Putin
Lofted sometime before by Vladimir Putin’s closest associates, trial ballons might have brought a positive outcome, as evidenced by the Kremlin’s decision to announce upcoming amendments to the Russian constitution publicly.
The Russians to Focus on the Development of the Northern Sea Route
In the last days of December, the Russian government adopted a new Development Plan for the Infrastructure of the Northern Sea Route for the period until 2035.
The Year 2020 to Be of Key Importance for the Three Seas Initiative
The upcoming months will be of key importance in many areas. The results of the next presidential election in the United States, which will determine whether Washington continues or radically changes its course both in domestic and foreign policy, will be extremely important not only for the future of Americans, but also for the entire world.
The Collapse of the INF Treaty and the US-China Rivalry
Russia’s noncompliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF Treaty, was the top reason for Donald Trump’s administration to pull out of the deal. Nonetheless, the collapse of the agreement has influenced not only the situation in Europe but also in Asia and the Pacific.
Boris Johnson in Estonia. The British as a trusted ally
Great Britain is the second most important and trusted ally of the Baltic states, next to the United States.
The USA’s support for the Baltic states. Air defence as a priority
The United States is the key ally of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania both in the aspect of bilateral relations and within NATO.
Bloody Fall in Iran
In mid-November, mass protests against a drastic increase in fuel prices broke out in Iran. Although the demonstrations were, for the most part, bloodily suppressed over a dozen or so days, the situation remains unstable.
The Year of Zelensky: Ukrainians Are Becoming More Optimistic
Almost half of Ukrainians believe that the country is heading in the right direction. It is over twice as much as a year ago.
A Train to Crimea: Russia Condemned for Opening the Crimean Bridge to Railway Traffic
The recent opening of the Crimean Bridge connecting Russia with occupied Crimea to railway traffic by the Russians has sparked another wave of international criticism.
The Ukrainian Army to Receive More U.S.-Made “Tank-Killer” Missiles
Trump signed an armaments assistance programme to Kyiv for 2020, and a few days later, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced an agreement on the purchase of another batch of Javelins, that is, anti-tank missile systems manufactured in the United States.
Russia’s Gazprom Avoids Huge Losses Thanks to New Agreement with Ukraine’s Naftogaz
One of the elements of a broader gas agreement between Russia and Ukraine is to put an end to the legal disputes between Gazprom and Naftogaz.
Putin Says Lies and Slander about World War II History
The Kremlin has launched his disinformation machine, this time targeting Poland.
New legislation in Finland will stop the Russian expansion?
Since January 1, 2020, foreigners from outside the EU living in Finland have to get permission from the Finnish authorities to buy real assets.
An important Russian spy in NATO released
Herman Simm sentenced to 12.5 years in prison in 2009 was released from prison in Tartu on December 23, 2019.
What’s Behind Surgutneftegas’s Soaring Shares?
Shares of Russia’s oil producer Surgutneftegas have attained an all-time high on Moscow’s stock exchange.
Gazprombank CEO: Gazprom’s Shares Acquired by Russian Entities
These have marked the biggest transactions made through the trading platform of the Moscow Exchange throughout 2019.
U.S. Congress Passes Energy-Related Bills to Help Cut Russian Influence
The U.S. Congress has adopted a batch of bills to increase Europe’s diversification of energy sources and reduce dependence on energy imports from Russia.
Trilateral Dimension of Russian-Chinese Trip to the Gulf of Oman
First of all, joint drills of the Russian, Chinese and Iranian navies are a showcase of force and support Beijing and Moscow have lent to Tehran in its spat with the United States.
Warsaw Institute
