Ukraine military cites reports in media on attack on gas station in Russia's Kursk Region
Ukraine's Military, citing media, reported an early Friday strike on a recently-closed gas pumping station and measuring station in west Russia's Kursk Region, where Ukrainian Forces have been under pressure for seven months following a border incursion. The incident was not reported by the government in Kyiv. The incident was not reported by the authorities in Moscow either. Sudzha…
Qatar will supply gas to Syria through Jordan, with the US's approval, sources claim
Three people with knowledge of the matter have confirmed that Qatar will supply Syria with gas through Jordan in order to improve its meager electricity supply. A U.S. official has said the move was approved by Washington. Qatar would provide the most tangible support to the new government in Damascus. Qatar is one of the strongest supporters of the rebels, who have now taken over the reins of power after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Unnamed U.S.
RPT-PowerChina Unit Sues Laos Utility for $555 Million
A review of an arbitration document shows that Nam Ou Power, part of the state-owned Power Construction Corp of China has sued Laos utility Electricite du Laos for $555m in unpaid hydropower dues. According to a source with knowledge of the case, EdL has not yet responded to the filing. The source also stated that this was the first time an entity run by the Chinese government had filed a claim against a Laos-owned firm.
PowerChina Unit Sues Laos Utility for $555 Million
A review of an arbitration document shows that Nam Ou Power, part of the state-owned Power Construction Corp of China has sued Laos utility Electricite du Laos for $555m in unpaid hydropower dues. According to a source with knowledge of the case, EdL has not yet responded to the filing. The source also stated that this was the first time an entity run by the Chinese government had filed a claim against a Laos-run company.
British Energy Secretary to visit China to restart energy discussions, sources say
Three sources who have direct knowledge of this plan say that British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is planning to visit China in march, where he will restart discussions on energy cooperation, and meet with Chinese investors. The Labour government wants closer ties with China amid the worsening U.S. and EU-China relationships. Sources who are not authorized to speak with media said Miliband would visit Beijing from 17-19 March…
Copper giant Chile is'monitoring" US probe on potential metals tariffs
The Chilean Foreign Ministry said that on Wednesday it was "monitoring' a U.S. investigation looking at potential new tariffs for copper imports, a critical metal used in electric vehicles, military equipment, the power grid, and many consumer products. In a brief response, the ministry stated that it would monitor the situation after U.S. president Donald Trump ordered the investigation…
Lavrov and Rubio discuss removal of 'barriers,' set up by the previous U.S. Administration, Russia claims
In a Saturday phone call, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio about the situation in Ukraine as well as the "unilateral obstacles" that were set up by the previous U.S. Administration. Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine will begin in the next few days, after U.S. president Donald Trump shocked European Allies when he called Russian President Vladimir Putin and declared an immediate start to talks.
China is ready to deepen and improve ties with the UK
China is willing to improve and stabilize bilateral relations with the United Kingdom, as well as to cooperate more in the areas of infrastructure, trade, and investment. This was stated by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a Friday statement, citing their minister. Wang Yi visited Britain for the first time since a decade on Thursday. He met with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor.
Russia will continue its oil and gas projects in spite of US sanctions
New U.S. The Russian government has accused the US of attempting to destabilise global markets by sabotaging the energy sector in Moscow. It said that the country will continue with its large oil and natural gas projects. In a statement, the ministry said that Russia will also respond to Washington's actions announced on Friday as "hostile", while drafting its foreign policy strategy. The measures were the most comprehensive U.S.
Protesters say Fico dragging Slovakia to Russia in Ukraine gas dispute
On Friday, thousands of protesters in Slovak's capital chanted and held banners accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico that he was dragging his country to Russia after meeting President Vladimir Putin during a dispute over gas with Ukraine last month. Slovakia and Ukraine have argued over Ukraine's decision to stop transiting Russian gas through their territory as of Jan. 1. The aim is to cut off Moscow from its revenue stream.
Nigeria and China strengthen ties through pledges on finance, security, and economic growth
Nigeria and China are planning to intensify their cooperation in areas like clean energy, finance and defence. China has pledged support for Nigeria to issue Panda bonds to fund its infrastructure. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry Yusuf Tuggar, and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi both outlined their efforts to address the regional security challenges. Wang visited Nigeria as part a larger four-nation Africa tour…
In the pro-Russian region of Moldova, thousands are left without gas or heat
Authorities said that more than 51,000 households in Moldova's pro Russian separatist enclave were without gas, and 1,500 apartment blocks had no heating for winter. Moldova and Russia have been trading blame over an escalating crisis. Transdniestria (a breakaway region dominated by Russian speakers along the Ukrainian border) had been receiving Russian gas through Ukraine for decades.
Additional Sanctions Possible for Russian Oil tankers
The Biden administration plans to impose more sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine, taking aim at its oil revenues with action against tankers carrying Russian crude, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.President Joe Biden's administration has sought to shore up support for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, given the Republican leader's frequent complaints about the cost of U.S.
The industry in the breakaway Moldovan region shuts down due to lack of Russian gas
An official confirmed on Thursday that the cutoff of Russian gas supply to Moldova's Transdniestria region, which is a breakaway region of Moldova, has forced all industrial companies - except for food producers - to close. The Russian gas cutoff to Central and Eastern Europe through Ukraine on Wednesday has caused a severe and immediate impact on the mainly Russian-speaking region of 450,000 people that split off from Moldova during the Soviet Union's collapse in the 1990s.
As the gas transit dispute escalates, Ukraine's Zelenskiy lashes out at Slovak Prime Minister Fico
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico of opening a second energy front against Ukraine at the behest of Russia as the dispute over gas transit between the two countries intensified. Ukraine currently pumps Russian gas to Slovakia and other European countries through its territory. However, the current transit agreement - which was signed before Moscow invaded Ukraine - will expire at the end this year.
Hungary: US exemption of gas payments from Russia Gazprombank sanctioned
In a video on social media, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto stated that the United States had granted exemptions for gas payments from the sanctions they imposed against Russia's Gazprombank. The U.S. implemented sanctions against Gazprombank in November, creating a barrier for European gas buyers. Gazprombank was used by buyers to pay for their purchases. Hungary…
Turkey talks with U.S. and Russia about sanctions waivers on energy imports
Turkish officials said that Turkey was in talks with both the United States of America and Russia to try and secure a waiver from U.S. Sanctions so it could continue paying Gazprombank in order to import Russian natural gas. The United States has imposed new sanctions against Russia's Gazprombank last week as President Joe Biden intensifies his efforts to punish Moscow for its invasion in Ukraine before he leaves the office in January.
Finland seizes $4.25 billion in Russian assets as part of the Naftogaz case
Documents from a Finnish court show that the court ordered the confiscation of assets worth $4.25 billion owned by Russia and located in Finland at the request Naftogaz. The Finnish Enforcement Authority confirmed it was executing this order. Since 2016, Naftogaz has taken legal action against Russia to seek compensation for the expropriation by Moscow of Naftogaz's property during Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
EU's von der Leyen announces 35 bln euro loan in Kyiv visit
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission during her visit to Kyiv last Friday, announced a loan for Ukraine up to 39 billion dollars ($35 billion), saying that it was necessary to protect the country from Russian attacks and to help it survive the winter. Zelenskiy, standing next to her, said that the loan will be used for energy procurement, air defences, and arms procurement.
Moscow claims that the EU has lost its mind over increased military aid to Ukraine
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the European Union has "lost their mind" and is heading towards ruin by providing additional military aid to Ukraine. According to a letter from the German finance ministry, Germany will approve an additional 400 million euros ($450 millions) of military aid for Ukraine to help it fight Russia. These funds will be added to the 8 billion euro budget for Ukraine in 2024.
