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.
US sanctions 16 Venezuelan officials with Maduro's links
The Biden administration announced on Thursday that it would impose U.S. Sanctions on 16 allies to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a response to voter fraud during the country's elections and the subsequent crackdown by his government on the political opponents. This move comes just days after Edmundo Gonzales, who was recognized as the winner of the presidential election on July 28…
Malaysia won't stop South China Sea exploration, despite China protests says PM
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Prime Minister, said that the country would not stop oil and gas exploration on the South China Sea in spite of Beijing's claims that Malaysia had infringed on its territory. Anwar, who is currently in Russia on an official visit, stated that Malaysia's exploration was within its own territory, and it wasn't meant to be provocative towards China. Anwar stated…
China and South Africa agree on balanced trade, increased investments
A joint statement released on Tuesday revealed that China and South Africa's top leaders, who met in Beijing, had agreed to promote a balanced trade, and also discussed the importance of boosting bilateral investments between their commercial and industrial communities. President Xi Jinping met with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday ahead of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Iranian Oil Exports End 2022 at a High, Despite No Nuclear Deal
Iranian oil exports hit new highs in the last two months of 2022 and are making a strong start to 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to companies that track the flows, on higher shipments to China and Venezuela.Tehran's oil exports have been limited since former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 exited a 2015 nuclear accord and reimposed sanctions aimed at curbing oil exports…
India Hopes Saudis Will Help Build Oil Stores
India hopes to sign a pact with Saudi Arabia for participation in Delhi's strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the kingdom next week, a government official said on Thursday.India, the world's third biggest oil importer, is scouting for partners to fill the reserves and also to build storage to hold oil reserves and cut costs.India has built SPRs at three locations in southern India with combined capacity of 5.33 million tonnes…
Chinese Ship Returns to Vietnam's EEZ
A Chinese survey ship returned to Vietnam's exclusive economic zone off its coast on Tuesday, ship tracking data showed, less than a week after it left the area where vessels from the two countries were locked in a month-long standoff.The Haiyang Dizhi 8 first entered the zone under Chinese coast guard escort in July and appeared to conduct a seismic survey of waters that are a potential…
Vietnam: Chinese Vessel Violated its Sovereignty
Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters.Vietnam and China have for years long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea.On Wednesday, two U.S.-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels…
Cyprus Issues Arrest Warrants for Turkey Drill Ship Crew
Cyprus has issued arrest warrants for the crew of a Turkish drill ship anchored close to its coast for allegedly infringing territory over which the island has rights to explore for oil and gas, a foreign ministry official said on Thursday."We can confirm that warrants were issued. It's a double digit number," the Cypriot official said, declining further comment.Turkey said on June…
