Qatari Emir meets Putin in Moscow
The Russian state-run news agency TASS reports that Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, arrived in Moscow Thursday for a trip which will include discussions with President Vladimir Putin about Ukraine and Middle East-related issues. Qatar has tried to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and helped arrange for the return of separated children from both countries. This week, Russia and Qatar announced that their leaders would be discussing efforts to reach a peace agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has said repeatedly that he wants to stop the "bloodbath" but has not yet achieved a breakthrough.
Putin claims that rivalries in the Arctic are growing, but there is still room for cooperation
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said that although geopolitical rivalries in the Arctic are intensifying, cooperation is possible in the region, including between Moscow, and western states. Putin made a reference to the stated intention of U.S. president Donald Trump to acquire Greenland. He said that this had nothing whatsoever to do with Russia, but it was obvious that the U.S. will continue to advance its interests in Arctic. He said that the U.S. plans for Greenland are serious and have a long history. He said that Russia was worried about the fact that "NATO nations in general" are increasingly using the Far North to launch possible conflicts.
Energy assets affected due to sanctions and standoff between Russia and the West
On Tuesday, the United States and Russia reached separate agreements to stop attacks on energy and maritime targets. Washington also agreed to press for the lifting of some sanctions against Moscow. In the event that a peace agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine, the potential for a relaxation of U.S. sanctions and EU sanctions has led to the question of what will happen to the disputed assets which were affected by international sanctions. This includes both Russian assets located in Europe as well as assets owned by foreign companies in Russia. The main source of revenue for Moscow is oil and gas exports.
Russian central bank expects low oil prices to continue for a while
The Russian central bank warned Kremlin policymakers that the United States and OPEC could flood the oil markets and cause a similar price collapse to what occurred in the 1980s, which led to the fall of the Soviet Union. The warning was issued weeks before Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. president Donald Trump began negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump warned that he would impose additional sanctions against Russia if a peace agreement was not reached. He has also promised to increase U.S. production of oil and urged OPEC leader Saudi Arabian to pump more to support the global economy.
Prices rise following reports of a strike at Sudzha Gas Metering Station
The Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas rose on Friday after reports of a striking at the Sudzha gas station, which was the point where Russian gas used to enter Europe via Ukraine. LSEG data revealed that the Dutch contract for Winter 2025 was up 1,93 euros at 43.35 Euros/MWh at 0830 GMT. The Dutch contract for front-month was also 1.70 euros higher at 44.55 Euros/MWh. The April contract in Britain rose by 3.97 pounds, to 108.32 cents per therm. Ukraine's army, citing media, reported an early Friday strike on the Sudzha Gas Pumping and Measuring Station in western Russia's Kursk Region.
Prices of EUROPE Gas are down due to milder weather.
The wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain were lower on Thursday morning. This was after a recovery in the previous session. According to LSEG, the Dutch front-month contract fell by 0.53 euros at 43.19 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) as of 0947 GMT. The May contract also dropped by 0.49 Euros to 43.18 Euros/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 2.50 pence more expensive at 104.00 cents per therm. LSEG data shows that the demand for heating in northwest Europe will fall by 604 gigawatt-hours per day (GWh/d), to 2535 GWh, on the day ahead. The supply of LNG and natural gas from Norway remains robust.
Prices of gas in Europe rise following agreement on energy ceasefire
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas rose on Wednesday, bouncing back from the previous day, after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to temporarily halt attacks on energy infrastructure but did not agree to a complete ceasefire. According to LSEG, the Dutch front-month contract had risen by 1.41 euros at 42.13 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) as of 0922 GMT. The May contract also rose by 2.08 Euros to 42.60 Euros/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 3.25 pence more expensive at 103.25 cents per therm. Yesterday, the market was awaiting the outcome of the phone call between U.S. president Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prices of gas in Europe drop ahead of Trump-Putin call
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas eased Tuesday morning, as the market awaited news of a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. However, low storage levels are still a concern while weather forecasts remain mixed. LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract has dropped by 0.55 euros to 40.65 Euro per megawatt hour at 0917 GMT. The Dutch May contract fell by 0.68 euros to 40.57 euros/MWh while the day-ahead contracts eased 0.20 euros to 40.80 euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was down by 1.01 pence, at 101.75 cents per therm. Analysts at Energi Danmark say that all eyes will be focused on the outcome the phone call between U.S.
Putin's decree authorizes US hedge funds to purchase foreign-owned Russian securities
A presidential decree published on Monday showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had given permission to a U.S.-based hedge fund to purchase securities in Russian firms from certain foreign investors and to sell them to two Russian funds. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has tightened its restrictions on the sale of foreign assets. Any transactions in the energy or finance sector require Putin's approval. Investors are looking for signs that the thaw of U.S.-Russian relations, sparked by the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, could open up new ways for Westerners to trade Russian assets.
QUOTES - Putin on a ceasefire, Western companies and Gas
The U.S. has proposed a ceasefire for Ukraine, but any such ceasefire must address the root causes of conflict. Many details need to be worked out. Reporters have translated the following key quotes from Russian. We agree with the proposals for a cessation of hostilities. We are based on the idea that a cessation of hostilities should lead to a long-term peace, and eliminate the causes that led to this crisis. "The idea is correct and we support it." We need to talk about certain issues. We should also talk to our American counterparts, I believe. I could call President Trump to have a conversation with him.
EU wants more US gas and renewable energy to replace Russian supplies
The EU energy commissioner said that the EU will look to other countries, including the U.S., to supply more gas to replace Russian supplies and to expand renewable energy to reduce its reliance on fuel. In response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has committed to stop using Russian fossil fuels before 2027. Despite a decline in Russian pipeline gas supplies, the EU increased imports of Russian natural gas liquefied last year. Jorgensen stated that Brussels is preparing to change the rules for allowing renewable energy to be built faster.
In the shadow of tariffs, Europe's markets can benefit from a ceasefire in Ukraine
The markets have bet that a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine will ease the pressure on energy and euro prices, and also reduce the impact of increased U.S. tensions. Meanwhile, expectations about defence spending has already sent stocks in this sector soaring. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, arrived in Saudi Arabia Monday to discuss with Russian officials. President Donald Trump ordered U.S. officials last week to start talks about ending the war. The talks are not expected to include either Ukraine or European nations. On Monday, European leaders will hold an emergency summit. The U.S.
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. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that during the Saturday call, initiated by the U.S., Lavrov, Rubio and their respective presidents agreed to restore "mutually respect interstate dialogue".
Prices of gas in Europe are lower than the first session for a second session. Ukraine Peace prospects dominate
The wholesale gas price in the Netherlands and Britain continued to fall on Thursday, after reaching a two-year peak on Tuesday. Market participants were watching for any further developments regarding the efforts of U.S. president Donald Trump to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was lower by 2.85 euros, or $16.21/mmBtu at 1003 GMT. The contract was well below the intra-day peak of 59.27 euro/MWh, reached on Tuesday. This is its highest level since Febuary 2023. The Dutch April contract is down by 2.99 Euros at 52.93 euro/MWh.
Palm oil falls on Dalian crude oil, weakening it
Malaysian palm futures dropped on Thursday, ending a five session rally. Pressured by lower Dalian oil and lower crude oil prices, sparked by the talks to end Ukraine-Russia's war, they were pushed down by weaker Dalian oil. At midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange for April delivery fell 63 ringgit or 1.36% to 4,558 Ringgit ($1,023.35) per metric ton. Anilkumar bagani, head of commodity research at Mumbai's Sunvin Group, said that crude palm oil futures fell following a selloff on energy markets, after U.S. president Donald Trump launched diplomatic efforts to end Ukraine's war.
Official: Trump says mineral deal will provide Kyiv with a'security shield after the war'
U.S. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent stated on Wednesday that an minerals deal between Kyiv-Washington would provide Ukraine with a "security shield" after the war. President Volodmyr Zelenskiy also said he hopes to reach a final agreement this week. Bessent is the first cabinet level official from Donald Trump's delegation to visit Kyiv. He spoke after Zelenskiy, who said he would be willing to make a deal that would open Ukraine's minerals to U.S. investors, in a bid to win the U.S. President's support. Trump, who wants to end the war quickly with Russia…
Zelenskiy says 'Let's do a deal', offering Trump mineral partnership, seeking security
In an interview on Friday with, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pored over a map once classified of vast deposits of rare Earths and other vital minerals. This was part of an effort to appeal to Donald Trump’s love of deals. The U.S. President, whose administration is pushing for a swift end to Ukraine's conflict with Russia, stated on Monday that he wants Ukraine to provide the U.S. rare earths and minerals in exchange for financial support of its war effort. Zelenskiy stated that if we were to discuss a settlement, Ukraine would need security guarantees from allies. Ukraine floated last fall the idea of allowing allies to invest in its vital minerals.
Two Russian sources claim that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are possible locations for a Trump-Putin meeting.
Two Russian sources familiar with the discussions said that Russia is considering Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as potential venues for a meeting between U.S. president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Trump said that he would end the conflict in Ukraine as quickly as possible, and that he was ready to meet Putin. Putin congratulated Trump for his election, and said he was ready to meet Trump in order to discuss Ukraine and Energy. Russian officials have denied that they had direct contact with the U.S. regarding preparations for an upcoming phone call between Trump, and Putin. This would be followed by a meeting in late 2018.
Russell: Europe imports more LNG as it draws cargoes out of Asia.
In January, the world's imports will reach their highest level in a single year as Europe's winter demands draw cargoes from Asia's top consumer region. According to commodity analysts Kpler, a total of 38.12 millions metric tons super-chilled gasoline is expected to be imported by January. This represents an increase from the 37.69 in December, and the highest since January 2024, when 38.73 was imported. The volume of LNG imports in January is the third highest ever recorded, highlighting the rapid growth in LNG imports due to the new supply coming online and the desire by Europe to replace Russian pipeline natural gas.
Russell: Europe imports more LNG as it draws cargos from Asia
In January, the world's imports will reach their highest level in a single year as Europe's winter demands draw cargoes from Asia's top consumer region. According to commodity analysts Kpler, a total of 38.12 millions metric tons super-chilled gasoline is expected to be imported by January. This represents an increase from the 37.69 in December, and the highest since January 2024, when 38.73 was imported. The volume of LNG imports in January is the third highest ever recorded, highlighting the rapid growth in LNG imports due to the new supply coming online and the desire by Europe to replace Russian pipeline natural gas.
