Russia Monitor

Rosneft's Sechin Asks Officials For New Tax Reliefs Despite Recent Mishaps

05/12/2020

Igor Sechin, the head of Russia's energy giant Rosneft, was the first to blame for Russia's downfall in the oil price war. Furthermore, he was a key driver of Moscow's exit from the OPEC pact. Oil prices dropped to record-time lows while Russia made a comeback to the cut deal –– yet on worse conditions. Nonetheless, the country's biggest oil suppliers were wrangling over how to distribute the country's promised cuts, with Rosneft being in favor of a proportional share. All in all, Sechin's energy group brought on the biggest burden yet hoping to win some state aid instead.

Moscow: The Capital of Russian Coronavirus Outbreak

05/08/2020

Moscow remains by far the biggest Russian coronavirus outbreak despite having introduced timely measures to contain the spread of the virus. City officials said stay-at-home restrictions would remain in place beyond May 12. Even though some businesses are allowed to resume operations, employees must obey extra safety rules, municipal officials said.

Russia's Federal Authorities See Falling Ratings Over Coronavirus Crisis

04/30/2020

Russian people have delivered somewhat ambiguous assessments of the state's measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. They seem to trust more low-ranking officials who have direct contact with society. Yet Vladimir Putin is experiencing a fall in his trust figures, possibly as an outcome of some poor image-related strategies taken shortly after the plague broke out.

Russia's Gazprom Sees Fall in Gas Output and Export Volumes

04/29/2020

The company’s results were hit by weakening demand for Gazprom’s gas in Europe. Also, with lowering export numbers, Russia's biggest gas firm must curb output. The company has experienced a sharp fall in natural gas demand this year due to the economic fallout from non-flexible contracts, Europe's huge gas excesses, mild winter, and the global spread of the novel coronavirus. The company’s results were hit by weakening demand for Gazprom’s gas in Europe. Also, with lowering export numbers, Russia's biggest gas firm must curb output. The company has experienced a sharp fall in natural gas demand this year due to the economic fallout from non-flexible contracts, Europe's huge gas excesses, mild winter, and the global spread of the novel coronavirus.

Amid Coronavirus Pandemic and Oil Crisis, Russian Economy Is Suffocating

04/29/2020

The coronavirus situation is not getting any better in Russia, with the growing number of both the infected and deaths. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the peak of the epidemic had not yet been reached and ordered Russians to remain under lockdown through May 11. Also, the government has not done enough to mitigate the coronavirus's impact on the economy. The next chapter is the oil crisis. The coronavirus situation is not getting any better in Russia, with the growing number of both the infected and deaths. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the peak of the epidemic had not yet been reached and ordered Russians to remain under lockdown through May 11. Also, the government has not done enough to mitigate the coronavirus's impact on the economy. The next chapter is the oil crisis.

Russia Is Open for Talks with U.S. on Nuclear Disarmament

04/28/2020

Kremlin strategists have taken some steps to mend ties with the West, especially with the United States, since the coronavirus outbreak. Thus, Moscow is sending signals to relax –– or even lift sanctions, and, from time to time, makes an offer to launch disarmament talks with Washington. This is yet somewhat a trial balloon, at least for Russia's foreign ministry. There is a slim chance for an agreement –– even if Russia and the United States sit at the negotiating table.

Does Turkey's S-400 Delay Mean No Longer Close Ties with Russia?

04/28/2020

Turkey's Idlib offensive in spring this year and the clash of Russian and Turkish strategic interests display that these two's rapprochement is not unconditional, mainly in Syria. And as an economic disaster is brewing across the country, Turkey sees that a lasting alliance with Russia means less than if it remained within the Western orbit, through both NATO membership and cooperative links with the United States. Turkey's Idlib offensive in spring this year and the clash of Russian and Turkish strategic interests display that these two's rapprochement is not unconditional, mainly in Syria. And as an economic disaster is brewing across the country, Turkey sees that a lasting alliance with Russia means less than if it remained within the Western orbit, through both NATO membership and cooperative links with the United States.

Russian Top Defense and Interior Officials Arrested for Bribery and Extortion

04/26/2020

Russia's interior ministry is passing through a difficult time. After four deputy ministers were placed under quarantine – once their colleague had been tested positive for coronavirus – two other generals were detained. Russia's interior ministry is passing through a difficult time. After four deputy ministers were placed under quarantine – once their colleague had been tested positive for coronavirus – two other generals were detained. They were accused of having helped an arrested businessman in exchange for some gains. But this is yet another corruption case that haunted the country's defense and interior institutions. A senior Russian National Guard official was jailed on bribery charges.

Coronavirus Outbreak Puts Russian Jails Under Severe Threat

04/25/2020

In response to calls from both health experts and the World Health Organisation, most world countries reduced the number of people in detention – as a coronavirus outbreak in prison walls could make the COVID-19 pandemic worse. In response to calls from both health experts and the World Health Organisation, most world countries reduced the number of people in detention – as a coronavirus outbreak in prison walls could make the COVID-19 pandemic worse. Notwithstanding this, so far Russia has taken no action to follow suit. Yet, quite contrary to that, the country's prison officials made some decisions that run a higher risk of the pandemic outbreak in penal colonies, prisons, and detention centers.

Russian Oil Companies Squabble Over New OPEC Deal

04/19/2020

A new deal struck in mid-April between major oil-producing nations to slash production is hugely unfavorable for Russia. But with this may come the closure of some of the country's fields. No wonder that Russian oil companies are now wrangling over how to share out the state's vowed reductions.