8chan/8kun QResearch Posts (41)
#20517196 at 2024-03-04 21:57:28 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #25164: We The People Winning Edition
>>20516590
OPEC+ is pleased
OPEC+ Extends Oil Cuts, With Russia Bolstering its Effort
Bloomberg March 4, 2024
OPEC+ extended its oil supply cutbacks to the middle of the year in a bid to avert a global surplus and shore up prices.
The curbs - which on paper total roughly 2 million barrels a day - will remain in place until the end of June, according to statements from members such as Saudi Arabia, which accounts for half of the pledged reduction. Russia promised to strengthen its role by focusing more on cuts to production than exports.
Traders and analysts had widely expected the extension, seeing it as necessary to offset a seasonal lull in world fuel consumption and soaring production from several of OPEC+'s rivals, most notably US shale drillers. An uncertain economic outlook in China is adding to the need for caution.
Ample supplies have anchored international oil prices near $80 a barrel this year, even as conflict in the Middle East disrupts regional shipping. While that offers some relief for consumers after years of rampant inflation, prices may be a little low for many in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners. Play Video
Riyadh needs a crude above $90 a barrel as it spends billions on an economic transformation that spans futuristic cities and sports tournaments, according to Fitch Ratings. Its largest partner in the alliance, Russia, also seeks revenue to continue waging war on Ukraine.
These latest output curbs, which deepen reductions made last year, will be "returned gradually subject to market conditions" after the second quarter, the countries said on state-run media.
Russia - which has a unique exemption to split its curbs between production and exports of crude oil and refined products - will put greater emphasis on cuts to crude production during the coming quarter, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said.
That promise may offer some satisfaction to Riyadh. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman expressed disappointment last year that Moscow hadn't agreed cut production, which more directly impacts global market balances than changes to exports.
In April, Russia's cut will comprise 350,000 barrels a day of output and 121,000 barrels a day from exports. In May, it will be 400,000 barrels a day of production and 71,000 of exports, while in June the curbs will come from production only.
Still, Russia and others in the group haven't so far delivered fully on their commitments.
Moscow only recently fully implemented the production cutbacks it promised to make almost a year ago. In January, the nation reduced its exports of crude oil as agreed by roughly 300,000 barrels a day, but promised curbs to shipments of refined fuels were less clear.
Iraq and Kazakhstan collectively pumped several hundred thousand barrels a day above their quotas in January, but promised to improve compliance and even compensate for any initial overproduction.
The group's decision to extend its curbs for the second quarter may have been widely expected, but OPEC+ will likely face a tougher choice at its next scheduled meeting on June 1, when ministers will set policy for the second half of the year.
Forecasts from the International Energy Agency in Paris suggest that, with growth in global oil demand slowing and new supply from the Americas soaring, OPEC+ will need to persevere with its cuts all year.
"You don't want to bring barrels back in too early," Saad Rahim, chief economist of commodity trading giant Trafigura Group, told Bloomberg television last week.
It's unclear whether all members would be willing to subscribe to that policy. While Saudi Arabia has often urged the need for caution, its neighbor the United Arab Emirates has been keen to make use of recent investments in new production capacity.
Some forecasters believe that won't be a problem, as strengthening demand will allow the group to relax its curbs and add more barrels later in the year.
There has been "an improvement in overall market fundamentals," said Paul Horsnell, head of commodities research at Standard Chartered Bank Plc. "OPEC could increase output" without flooding world inventories.
https://gcaptain.com/opec-extends-oil-cuts-with-russia-bolstering-its-effort/
#20430170 at 2024-02-17 18:59:48 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #25063: Lazy Saturday Afternoon Edition
>>20430151
1/2
What Alexander Novak shares is stunningly accurate, only theramifications are far more serious. This is why I am spending so much time trying to break the issue down into digestible portions.
Russia and Iran are now trading oil (and other things) in their own national currencies, not the petrodollar. This is the epicenter of a process initially triggered by the BRICS economic alliance and is now taking place in real time while the proverbial WEST pretends it is not happening. Now, it might sound esoteric, as if it is a disconnected or academic issue that doesn't have real substantive ramifications, but that's not true.
I can literally see how global trade is now cost-shifting as the dollar starts to weaken(become less used) as a trade currency. Again, like our domestic social issues, this de-dollarization process is "slowly at first," but eventuallythis is going to come all at once.
As USA consumers we cannot see it yet, because we are inside an economic system that is entirely dependent on dollars. However, as the devaluation of the dollar continues slowly to happen, outside our dollar-based economy, the cost of goods, products and stuff in the ordinary life of people within the GREY ZONE is now stunningly less. It's not showing up in currency markets (dollar -vs- fill_in_blank), because the currency trades are not part of the trade/cost dynamic outside the YELLOW ZONE.
Go into the grey zone and compare the price of "product X" to what you would pay in the United States for "product X", and you will see the difference in the end consumer price is starting to widen faster.Identical goods in the USA cost much more than goods outside the "west."
As thede-dollarization continues(mostly driven by the lessening of oil sold using the petrodollar), the disparity in price will get even more stark. As a result of this dynamic, wages in the USA (or the "west") must necessarily rise faster; however, that's only part of the issue.
If I took $200 into a Russian supermarket, buying only consumable food products,I would end up with about 3 shopping carts full of food. Take that same $200 into the average USA supermarket and you get one shopping cart or less. This is the scale of what is likely to happen in durable goods. The "cleaving" is underway.
Let me say that again, the "cleaving" of dollar-based price/value is underway.
Starbucks pulled out of Russia. The building still exists, the furniture still there, the equipment still there, just a different name, "Star Coffee" lolol.Starbucks is roughly $6 for whatever, the StarCoffee is $1. Same stuff. A cab/uber ride in USA might be $25, or in EU might be ?30, but outside the yellow zone around $6 to $10/max.It's getting crazy how big the difference is.
Now, the price disparity is not in everything, only in the products that do not originate from inside the yellow zone. The increased price of the yellow zone goods transfers into the grey zone when the product is moved. However,if the yellow zone and grey zone both produce an identical product (or service), that's when you see the massive difference in price. [And no, this is not a lower cost labor issue]
Conversely, prices of goods originating from the grey zone shipped to the yellow zone will be far less than the comparable product created from within the yellow zone.
What is going to happen?
I suspect we are going to import even more products from the grey zone at a greater rate, because there's a lower origination price and greater opportunity for profit. Wait and see.
China needs energy, Russia needs computer chips and tech. They are trading thusly. Now watch...if the sanctions are ever lifted, we will start importing Russian made electronic goods, because less expensive. It's nuts.
Remember, our 'western' government is doing this to us on purpose.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2024/02/16/tucker-carlson-visits-a-grocery-store-in-russia-and-gets-red-pilled-radicalized-against-western-leaders/
#20430151 at 2024-02-17 18:55:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #25063: Lazy Saturday Afternoon Edition
==Tucker Carlson Visits a Grocery Store in Russia and Get's Red Pilled - "Radicalized Against Western Leaders"...
==
February 16, 2024 | Sundance1/2
As Tucker Carlson talks about feeling "radicalized against western leadership," I find myself rolling my eyes and saying, "welcome to the party pal." But seriously, it's good to see him awakening more people.
When I began talking about the western created propaganda in 2023 people had a difficult time understanding it. {GO DEEP} As I began researching and explaining the futility and fraud of the Western sanctions against Russia, the confusion expanded. {GO DEEP}
Nothing makes sense until you realize we are being lied to by every element of Western review, government, media, corporations, academia, financial punditry, the works... all of their claims are based on lies and false information.
Tucker Carlson visits a grocery store in Russia {Direct Rumble Link} and immediately starts to get red-pilled on the truth. WATCH:
https://rumble.com/embed/v4b4f90/?pub=4
Keep in mind that Carlson is only looking at the 'goods' side of the ledger.On the 'service' side, the disparity in pricing is beyond jaw-dropping. {Example: A 30-mile cab ride for $5}.==
From a production side perspective,Russia actually has a larger economy now than Germany, the largest EU nation. The cause for this is "autarchy" or self-sufficiency. Indeed, as the timeline of the sanctions completes the second full year, the Russian production economy is even stronger than when the sanctions began.Quite simply, they are making even more of their own goods now.
The sanctions typically fall into the service side of the economy, as well as financial and economic roadblocks. However, that aspect of the Russian economy was much smaller than most suspected and there were sanctions going back to 2014 which made the outcome of the 2022 western imposed restrictions far less impactful.
I'm very serious when I share with people thatalmost everythingwe understand about the geopolitical purposes andimpacts of sanctions against Russian economic interests is entirely fabricated. However, because the scale of the propaganda against us is so effective, breaking the mental/cognitive barrier is almost impossible.
It's not that situations are 'shaped' or information is 'manipulated,' as in the definition of the term "disinformation." Butrather the entire construct of reality regarding the economic issues-as presented- is fabricated, created by massive financial interests, andflat-out lies; I mean, total unadulterated nonsense. Complete fiction.
This article from Reuters, and the accompanying graphic from ZeroHedge, only scratches the surface.
We are through the looking glass folks. Literally captive to the narrative as sold by our Western government officials, and there's a huge one-way mirror; beyond which, massive segments of the grey zonearelooking at us as if we are pathetic victims of professional propaganda.
The worst part of this dynamic is how the USA looks insufferably weak, because we are playing this massive game of pretending that only the Yellow Zone is participating in.
MOSCOW, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Almost all of Russia's oil exports this year have been shipped to China and India, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, after Moscow responded to Western economic sanctions by quickly rerouting supplies away from Europe.
Russia has successfully circumvented sanctions on its oil and diverted flows from Europe to China and India, which together accounted for around 90% of its crude exports, Novak, who is in charge of the country's energy sector, told Rossiya-24 state TV.
He said that Russia had already started to forge ties with Asia-Pacific countries before the West introduced sanctions against Moscow following the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.
"As for those restrictions and embargoes on supplies to Europe and the U.S. that were introduced... this only accelerated the process of reorienting our energy flows," Novak said.
He said thatEurope's share of Russia's crude exports has fallen to only about 4-5% from about 40-45%. (read more)...
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2024/02/16/tucker-carlson-visits-a-grocery-store-in-russia-and-gets-red-pilled-radicalized-against-western-leaders/
#20423266 at 2024-02-16 14:31:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #25055: Barack Obama ordered the UK to spy on TRUMP Edition
>>20423253
What Alexander Novak shares is stunningly accurate, only the ramifications are far more serious. This is why I am spending so much time trying to break the issue down into digestible portions.
Russia and Iran are now trading oil (and other things) in their own national currencies, not the petrodollar. This is the epicenter of a process initially triggered by the BRICS economic alliance and is now taking place in real time while the proverbial WEST pretends it is not happening. Now, it might sound esoteric, as if it is a disconnected or academic issue that doesn't have real substantive ramifications, but that's not true.
I can literally see how global trade is now cost-shifting as the dollar starts to weaken (become less used) as a trade currency. Again, like our domestic social issues, this de-dollarization process is "slowly at first," but eventually this is going to come all at once.
As USA consumers we cannot see it yet, because we are inside an economic system that is entirely dependent on dollars. However, as the devaluation of the dollar continues slowly to happen, outside our dollar-based economy, the cost of goods, products and stuff in the ordinary life of people within the GREY ZONE is now stunningly less. It's not showing up in currency markets (dollar -vs- fill_in_blank), because the currency trades are not part of the trade/cost dynamic outside the YELLOW ZONE.
Go into the grey zone and compare the price of "product X" to what you would pay in the United States for "product X", and you will see the difference in the end consumer price is starting to widen faster. Identical goods in the USA cost much more than goods outside the "west."
As the de-dollarization continues (mostly driven by the lessening of oil sold using the petrodollar), the disparity in price will get even more stark. As a result of this dynamic, wages in the USA (or the "west") must necessarily rise faster; however, that's only part of the issue.
If I took $200 into a Russian supermarket, buying only consumable food products, I would end up with about 3 shopping carts full of food. Take that same $200 into the average USA supermarket and you get one shopping cart or less. This is the scale of what is likely to happen in durable goods. The "cleaving" is underway.
Let me say that again, the "cleaving" of dollar-based price/value is underway.
Starbucks pulled out of Russia. The building still exists, the furniture still there, the equipment still there, just a different name, "Star Coffee" lolol. Starbucks is roughly $6 for whatever, the StarCoffee is $1. Same stuff. A cab/uber ride in USA might be $25, or in EU might be ?30, but outside the yellow zone around $6 to $10/max. It's getting crazy how big the difference is.
Now, the price disparity is not in everything, only in the products that do not originate from inside the yellow zone. The increased price of the yellow zone goods transfers into the grey zone when the product is moved. However, if the yellow zone and grey zone both produce an identical product (or service), that's when you see the massive difference in price. [And no, this is not a lower cost labor issue]
Conversely, prices of goods originating from the grey zone shipped to the yellow zone will be far less than the comparable product created from within the yellow zone.
What is going to happen?
I suspect we are going to import even more products from the grey zone at a greater rate, because there's a lower origination price and greater opportunity for profit. Wait and see.
China needs energy, Russia needs computer chips and tech. They are trading thusly. Now watch... if the sanctions are ever lifted, we will start importing Russian made electronic goods, because less expensive. It's nuts.
Remember, our 'western' government is doing this to us on purpose.
3/3
https://rumble.com/v4dppal-tucker-carlson-moscow-supermarket-in-2024…-sanctions-and-all.html
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/half-russias-2023-oil-petroleum-exports-went-china-russias-Novak-2023-12-27/
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/how-russia-makes-mockery-us-sanctions-one-picture
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Western-Government-map-eu-sanctions.jpg
https://100percentfedup.com/russia-and-iran-ditch-u-s-dollar/
#20423253 at 2024-02-16 14:26:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #25055: Barack Obama ordered the UK to spy on TRUMP Edition
>>20423247
I'm very serious when I share with people that almost everything we understand about the geopolitical purposes and impacts of sanctions against Russian economic interests is entirely fabricated. However, because the scale of the propaganda against us is so effective, breaking the mental/cognitive barrier is almost impossible.
It's not that situations are 'shaped' or information is 'manipulated,' as in the definition of the term "disinformation." But rather the entire construct of reality regarding the economic issues -as presented- is fabricated, created by massive financial interests, and flat-out lies; I mean, total unadulterated nonsense. Complete fiction.
This article from Reuters, and the accompanying graphic from ZeroHedge, only scratches the surface.
[SOURCE]
We are through the looking glass folks. Literally captive to the narrative as sold by our Western government officials, and there's a huge one-way mirror; beyond which, massive segments of the grey zone are looking at us as if we are pathetic victims of professional propaganda.
The worst part of this dynamic is how the USA looks insufferably weak, because we are playing this massive game of pretending that only the Yellow Zone is participating in.
MOSCOW, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Almost all of Russia's oil exports this year have been shipped to China and India, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, after Moscow responded to Western economic sanctions by quickly rerouting supplies away from Europe.
Russia has successfully circumvented sanctions on its oil and diverted flows from Europe to China and India, which together accounted for around 90% of its crude exports, Novak, who is in charge of the country's energy sector, told Rossiya-24 state TV.
He said that Russia had already started to forge ties with Asia-Pacific countries before the West introduced sanctions against Moscow following the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.
"As for those restrictions and embargoes on supplies to Europe and the U.S. that were introduced... this only accelerated the process of reorienting our energy flows," Novak said.
He said that Europe's share of Russia's crude exports has fallen to only about 4-5% from about 40-45%. (read more)
2/
#19871108 at 2023-11-06 18:57:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #24398: PRESIDENT TRUMP TESTIFIES IN MANHATTAN COURT LIVE II Edition
Oil Gains As Saudi Arabia And Russia Stick To Oil Production And Export Cuts
(Demand destruction continues-brian ded if you haven't seen it since last year and also why none of the "bad" news sticks-Japan's energy imports were down 16% at last report)
Saudi Arabia and Russia have confirmed they will extend their voluntary production and export cuts until the end of the year in a largely expected move to keep a lid on a solid portion of global supply, OilPrice reported. The news helped reverse some of oil's sharp losses from last week. This additional voluntary cut comes to reinforce the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets,"?Reuters quoted a statement from the Saudi energy ministry as saying.
Saudi Arabia has been producing around 9 million barrels daily, effecting a voluntary reduction of some 1 million bpd. Russia, for its part, has undertaken to reduce exports by 300,000 bpd and production by half a million barrels daily.
"The additional voluntary cut is intended to strengthen the measures taken by OPEC+ countries to maintain the stability and balance of oil markets,"?Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Sunday.
Commenting on the Saudi and Russian updates, ING's Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey noted that this extension was expected but the market would be interested in whether the two would extend the cuts further into 2024. This might suggest the current extension was unlikely to have any immediate effect on prices but an extension into 2024 might move the benchmarks.
"Our oil balance shows that the market will be in surplus in 1Q24, which may be enough to convince the Saudis and Russians to continue with cuts through the seasonally weaker demand period of Q1," the analysts wrote.
Prices moved up modestly after the Saudi and Russian announcements after both Brent and WTI booked a second losing week in a row last week. The biggest reason for the recent drop in prices looks to be the waning war premium from the war between Israel and Hamas, which appears to be contained for the time being and not a direct threat to Middle Eastern oil supply.
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/oil-gains-saudi-arabia-and-russia-stick-oil-production-and-export-cuts
https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/crude-oil
#18321173 at 2023-02-10 21:10:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #22454: NOW We're Shooting Down Airborne Objects in AK?? Holy KEK Edition
>>18320872
Russia to cut oil output by 500,000 bpd from current production levels
Alexander Novak's representative underlined that the production cut will only affect oil, excluding gas condensate.
MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russia will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the current production levels, not from the OPEC+ quota, a source in the industry told TASS.
"From real production levels," the source said.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters earlier that Russia plans to cut oil production voluntarily by 500,000 barrels per day in March. "Today, we are selling the entire volume of our oil output. But, as we have said before, we are not going to sell oil to those who directly or indirectly adhere to the 'price cap' principles," he said. "In this regard, Russia will voluntarily cut production by 500,000 barrels per day in March. This will help restore market relations," Novak added.
Novak's representative underlined that the production cut will only affect oil, excluding gas condensate.
According to the terms of the agreement, Russia's oil output was set at 10.478 mln bpd in November 2022. As Novak previously stated, Russia was producing roughly 9.8-9.9 mln bpd in January 2023.
When the previous OPEC+ agreement on reducing oil output by the alliance countries by 9.7 mln barrels per day entered into force during May-July 2020, and Russia and Saudi Arabia had to reduce oil production by equal shares - by 2.5 mln bpd from a baseline of 11 mln bpd - Russian companies cut production proportionally as part of the deal, Novak said at the time. According to the CDU TEK statistics, Russian oil and gas condensate production in 2020 fell by 8.6% year-on-year to 512.68 mln metric tons.
https://tass.com/economy/1574713
#18024195 at 2022-12-27 17:52:12 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #22087: #Nuremberg2 #DiedSuddenly Trending Edition
Putin Bans Selling Russian Oil to Price Cap Participants
Russian President Vladimir Putin banned the export of oil and oil products to foreign buyers that adhere to price caps imposed over his invasion of Ukraine, according to a decree. The restriction applies to "supply contracts that directly or indirectly use the mechanism of setting a price cap," according to the decree published in the official legal database and signed by Putin on Tuesday. "The ban is in force at all stages up until the final buyer."
The restriction on Russian crude exports will begin on Feb. 1, while the starting date for the ban on oil products will come later at a date to be determined by the Russian government, according to the decree. The ban is to last at least until July 2023. Putin's decree didn't list countries where Russian oil and oil products cannot be sold. The vast majority of the countries that imposed the cap have already halted purchases, suggesting the initial impact of the step may be limited in scope. The market has been waiting for Moscow's response to the a $60-per-barrel cap since Dec. 5. when the Group of Seven industrialized nations' limit on Russian seaborne crude exports came into force. The price cap means anyone wanting to access an array of vital western services, especially insurance, is now only able to do so if they pay $60 or less. The step was aimed at curtailing revenue the Kremlin is using to fund its attack on Ukraine and at the same time keep the crude flowing to the global market. The price level will be reviewed very two months.
The current threshold won't cause losses for Russia's economy, budget or energy industry as the nation is currently selling its crude at around similar levels, Putin said last week. That said, the nation's flagship Urals grade is trading well below international benchmarks. (icydk Hungary spent billions to process the Urals crude over the years so they also make out on this-and why Orban got the EU to ban only Sea transports via it's fuggery-they (E.U.) got bent over hard)
Still, Russia's oil output may fall by 500,000-700,000 barrels a day early next year, equating to roughly 5%-6% of the nation's current production, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/putin-bans-selling-russian-oil-to-price-cap-participants-1.1863713
#17639060 at 2022-10-06 17:50:38 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21629: Hard Hitting News Day Edition
Swedish Investigators Find Evidence of 'Serious Sabotage' at Nord Stream Pipelines
A Swedish agency on Thursday found that leaks from the two Russian Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea were likely caused by "serious sabotage" and evidence from the site was taken.
The Swedish Security Service confirmed that "detonations" were responsible for the extensive damage to the wholly Russian-owned pipelines last week. Seismologists in Denmark and Sweden have also said that the damage was not of natural origin, saying that blasts most likely were the cause.
"During the crime scene investigation ... seizures have been made," said the Security Service. "As part of the work," it added in a statement, "the seizures will now be reviewed and analyzed."
"The continued preliminary investigation must show whether someone can be served with suspicion and later prosecuted," Sweden's Security Service said in a statement, adding the blasts are a "very serious" development.
Now that the initial probe is completed, a blockade around the pipelines off Sweden will be lifted, Swedish officials also said Thursday.
The governments of Denmark and Sweden previously said they suspected that several hundred pounds of explosives were involved in carrying out a deliberate act of sabotage. The leaks from Nord Stream 1 and 2 discharged huge amounts of methane into the air.
Danish authorities said the two methane leaks they were monitoring in international waters stopped over the weekend. One of the leaks off Sweden also appeared to have ended.
Energy Standoff
Officials in the European Union have publicly suspected sabotage, namely as the incident comes in the midst of an energy standoff between the EU, Germany, and Moscow. But Russian authorities have said that such accusations are "predictably stupid," noting that the pipelines are Russian-owned infrastructure and that the natural gas inside them is also Russian in origin.
And some have suggested that the United States or one of its allies was behind the sabotage attack, which Pentagon and White House officials have categorically denied.
Earlier this week, a top economist with Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs, publicly speculated that the United States would gain the most from the attack because it would then be able to sell its natural gas to Europe by cutting out Russia.
Sachs also pointed to public statements made by President Joe Biden about the pipeline and last week's comment from Secretary of State Antony Blinken that it's now a "tremendous opportunity" for the EU to reduce dependency on Russian gas.
In a statement on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote that EU countries were betrayed by the United States.
The spokeswoman noted that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak recently said Russia was ready to supply gas through an undamaged branch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
"Will anyone now dare claim after that our country is behind this act of sabotage? I agree it's hard to face the truth. But someday the EU countries will have to face up to the fact they were betrayed by their allies," Zakharova wrote.
US Not Involved in 'Sabotage'
When questioned during a Fox News interview on Tuesday evening, White House and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby flatly denied Washington had anything to do with the incident. Those allegations, he asserted, are Russian propaganda.
https://www.ntd.com/swedish-investigators-find-evidence-of-serious-sabotage-at-nord-stream-pipelines_851983.html
#17633232 at 2022-10-05 02:59:12 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21622: Try Harder Edition
4 Oct, 2022 21:34
EU agrees to impose price cap for Russian oil - Politico
The bloc promised "concessions" to overcome opposition from Malta, Greece and Cyprus
The EU has reached a tentative deal to impose a price cap on the sale of Russian oil to third countries, Politico Europe reported on Tuesday citing diplomatic sources. Cyprus, Greece and Malta had concerns about the potential impact on their shipping industry, but were reportedly promised concessions.
The price cap is part of the eighth round of anti-Russian sanctions, which Brussels is expected to roll out this week, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
EU ambassadors reached an agreement on Tuesday and expect to approve the final text on Wednesday, Politico reported citing seven diplomats - all of whom wished to remain anonymous. Details of the sanctions still need to be confirmed in writing, and there was a "limited" chance the deal could still unravel, one source reportedly said.
The three Mediterranean members were reportedly concerned about the impact of the measure on their commercial shipping, but Brussels offered "concessions" in the form of a "monitoring system" that would propose measures to mitigate the impact of the embargo, in case of "significant loss of business" due to practices such as reflagging of commercial vessels.
The EU has already banned the import of coal from Russia, with an oil embargo scheduled to go into effect in December. The price cap seeks to block Moscow's petroleum exports to third countries using EU-registered vessels, as the bloc has already sanctioned all Russian shipping.
Meanwhile, Hungary said it had secured assurances the price cap won't apply to oil delivered through pipelines.
Anti-Russian measures adopted by the US and its allies have led to a spike in oil price, leaving Russia with more revenue from exports than before the embargo. The price cap proposed by the G7 seeks to neutralize this. According to the proposal, EU vessels will refuse to carry Russian oil if it is priced above the cap, the value of which has yet to be determined.
The sanctions have also resulted in the EU facing severe energy shortages. However, the bloc's leaders have vowed to support Ukraine indefinitely and no matter what. (The insanity is bizarre, if Russia had to go back to an agrarian society, they would still survive)
Moscow has made it clearit will not comply with the price cap scheme, with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warning that Russia will simply refuse to sell fuel to countries that seek to enforce or abide by it.
https://www.rt.com/business/564074-eu-russia-oil-price/
Russia already said they would not sell to countries they will price cap their oil. These countries have no idea of how much power they do not have. Weird!
#17630202 at 2022-10-04 13:23:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21617: 4 AM Talking Points for a New Day Edition
4 Oct, 2022 11:33
HomeBusiness News
US Treasury explains how G7 will target Russian oil
The group of nations aims to limit the Kremlin's revenue from energy exports
The G7's upcoming anti-Russia sanctions will target oil and petrochemicals in three phases, senior US Treasury official Ben Harris told the Argus European Crude Conference in Geneva on Tuesday.
According to Harris, as cited by Reuters, the sanctions will tackle Russian crude oil, then focus on diesel, and finally lower value products such as naphtha. The G7 sanctions should be seen by the industry as a way to continue trading, ensuring Russian oil continues to flow, he explained.
"The price cap can be considered a release valve on the (EU) sanctions package," Harris said, adding: "It transforms the ban from an absolute ban to a conditional ban."
The price at which Russian oil sales will be capped has not been decided, the official noted, adding that it will be high enough to provide an incentive to maintain output, and above the marginal production cost for Russia's most expensive oil well.
The EU also aims to sanction Russian exports, with its restrictions reportedly set to match the oil price ceiling agreed by the G7. The bloc will ban seaborne imports of Russian oil from December 5 and of oil products from February 5, 2023, cutting the trade off from financial services and potentially halting it worldwide.
Western leaders agreed in June to explore a price ceiling to limit how much refiners and traders can pay for Russian crude.Moscow has made it clear that it will not comply, instead shipping its crude to countries not bound by the cap. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has warned that nations that support the price cap will not receive any Russian fuel.
https://www.rt.com/business/564021-us-explains-russian-oil-target/
The blind leading the blind!
#17501169 at 2022-09-05 18:53:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21453: Who Is Up For A Suicide? Edition
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/opec-to-cut-oil-production-by-100000-bpd-in-october
OPEC+ to cut oil production by 100,000 BPD in October
On Monday, OPEC+ declared its intention to resume oil production at the August level and cut it by 100,000 barrels per day (BPD) in October.
In a statement, the OPEC+ alliance said that "[OPEC+ decodes to] Revert to the production level of August 2022 for OPEC and non-OPEC Participating Countries for the month of October 2022 as per the attached table, noting that the upward adjustment of 0.1 mb/d to the production level was intended only for the month of September 2022."
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that "This decision was made due to the fact that we considered the current situation on the market, made an assessment, and heard the report of the OPEC + technical committee."
OPEC+ will be meeting again in October and will continue to monitor the market situation, said Novak, given that the G7 group is set to put a price cap on Russian oil.
In his statement, Novak told Rossiya 24 that "Next, we will look at how the situation on the market will develop. Because there are a lot of uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with production in countries that are not part of the agreement, statements by individual G7 leaders and issues under consideration regarding placing a limit on the price for the purchase of Russian oil."
#17495215 at 2022-09-04 15:07:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21445: For [THEIR] LOSS-OF-EVERYTHING IS with the Hearing of the THUNDER Edition
>>17495206
4 Sep, 2022 14:08
EU to blame for Nord Stream 1 lying idle - Russia
The gas pipeline was shut because contracts for shipping and repair were violated by Brussels, according to Moscow
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has blamed the European Union for the problems that have prevented the resumption of gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. He told the EU "not to lay the bloc's leaders' fault at Russia's door."
"Right now, the entire problem lies precisely on that side, because all the conditions of the repair contract have been completely violated, along with the terms of shipping of the equipment," Novak said on Sunday in an interview with Rossiya 1 TV channel.
Gas deliveries via Nord Stream 1 were shut down completely on August 31. Prior to that, the pipeline under the Baltic Sea had been operating at 40% capacity since June, providing just 67 million cubic meters per day. The initial reduction in supply was due to a delay returning gas turbines following scheduled maintenance in Canada, which arose as a result of Ottawa's sanctions on Russia.
In July, supplies through the pipeline dropped to 20% capacity, as the remaining turbines required an overhaul.
On Friday, Gazprom said shipments would not be resuming following a three-day maintenance break after an engine oil leak was detected in a turbine. The company provided no details on the duration of the stoppage.
https://www.rt.com/business/562151-nord-stream-blame-eu-russia/
EU is at fault, but they are using this to prove Russia is bad! The EU leaders should be arrested for what they are doing to their citizens
#17483688 at 2022-09-02 18:23:30 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21431: Minions All Edition
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/g7-finance-ministers-set-ceiling-for-russian-oil-gas-prices
G7 finance ministers set ceiling for Russian oil, gas prices
The decision to impose price caps on Russian oil was adopted unanimously at a virtual meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank leaders on Friday, according to Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki.
The purpose of putting a price ceiling, according to the minister, is to limit Russia's income from energy sources, and Japan feels that this action will be "effective."
The price ceiling will go into force on December 5 for crude oil and February 5 for Russian refined goods. Following the G7 decision, the European Commission has already stated that it will make steps to put a price ceiling on Russia's oil by December.
On September 1, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak called the concept of a price restriction on Russian oil "absurd," and warned that Moscow would not deliver oil or oil products to countries who supported the plan.
Russia's oil export volumes have decreased since the commencement of the Ukraine war, although income increased by $700 million in June compared to May, according to the International Energy Agency in August, due to higher global oil prices.
The price ceiling, which Western leaders agreed on in principle in June, would limit the number of money refiners and merchants could pay for Russian oil. The measure is intended to reduce the Kremlin's earnings while keeping Russian oil on the market in order to avert a price upsurge.
Several unidentified G7 officials told Reuters that they doubted the ban would be successful if just the group's members - the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan - enforced it. They noted that in order for the measure to have a tangible impact on Russia's oil profits, the G7 would need the support of large oil consumers like China and India.
According to Reuters, such a situation is improbable. Furthermore, while about 95% of the world's tanker fleet now relies on London-brokered shipping insurance, the paper noted, citing unidentified analysts, that alternatives may be found.
#16776460 at 2022-07-21 21:00:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21162: This Could Be Your Title; Learn to Bake Edition
21 Jul, 2022 19:25
No energy security without Russia, 'like it or not' - Hungary
Budapest wants to purchase an additional 700 million cubic meters of natural gas
Hungary needs to buy an extra 700 million cubic meters of natural gas this year to ensure its energy safety and this is "simply impossible" to do without Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Thursday.
Speaking in Moscow at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, the Hungarian minister said that "some may sell empty promises and chase dreams," but the "physical realities cannot be changed." "Like it or not," in his opinion, "it is currently simply impossible to buy this much extra natural gas in Europe without Russian sources."
Szijjarto stressed that while his country's storage facilities were full enough "for normal times," since these are not normal times Hungary needs more gas to feel secure. The minister stressed that negotiations with Russia should conclude as soon as possible as the heating season officially starts on October 15.
Lavrov said that the Hungarian government's request to purchase additional natural gas would "be immediately reported and considered."
At the same time, the Russian foreign minister believed it was a shame that an "openly Russophobic policy" and the "rampant escalation of sanctions" by Washington and Brussels was hindering the development of practical cooperation between Moscow and Budapest. He pledged "to seek and find the solutions" that would make cooperating independent "of these kinds of whims."
Szijjarto's meetings in Moscow also included talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who is in charge of energy matters, and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.
In response to the Russian military offensive in Ukraine, the EU - along with the US, the UK, and many other countries - imposed harsh sanctions on Moscow, including some of its energy exports. Hungary, which is approximately 85% dependent on Russian gas supplies, has been consistently opposed to imposing an embargo on gas exports from Russia.
Hungarian President Viktor Orban warned last month that such a ban would "ruin the whole European economy." Hungary has also opposed the EU's phased withdrawal from Russian oil imports by the end of this year, and has been given a waiver to keep purchasing the fuel from Moscow.
(Hmmm didn't Trump have a great relationship with Orban in Hungary)
https://www.rt.com/news/559418-energy-security-hungary-russia/
#16774650 at 2022-07-21 15:24:54 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #21159: DRAGHI RESIGNS AS ITALIAN P.M EYES ON ITALY EDITION
21 Jul, 2022 10:06
Russia warns it could stop oil exports
Crude production will be suspended if the Western price cap makes it unprofitable, a top official says
Russia will stop global oil exports if the West's price cap makes it unprofitable to continue production, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Russia's Channel One on Thursday.
"If these prices which they are talking about are lower than the costs for oil production... naturally, Russia will not ensure the supply of this oil to the world markets, which means that we simply will not work at a negative profit," he explained, as cited by TASS.
The G7 countries agreed to set a cap on the price of Russian oil at the end of June, an idea which had first been pitched by Washington as a means to limit Russia's income from energy exports. According to Bloomberg, proponents of the measure are discussing the possibility of limiting the price paid for Russia's exports through interventions in the insurance and transportation of the country's oil. According to the plan, only those raw materials and oil products whose value does not exceed the price cap would be allowed to be insured and transported.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently said that the upper threshold for the price cap would be set at about half the current market price of Russian oil. In June, the average price of a barrel of Urals was around $87.25. However, discussions on the matter are ongoing and the price cap has not yet been finalized.
Russia believes that the price cap would further propel global oil prices. President Vladimir Putin recently said Western countries "are stepping on the same rake," as in the case of abandoning Russian gas.
"The result will be the same - oil prices will skyrocket," he said.
Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev predicted that the cost of oil may well exceed $300-400 per barrel if the West goes through with the plan.
"There will be significantly less oil on the market, and its price will be much higher," he warned.
https://www.rt.com/business/559366-russia-warns-it-could-stop-oil-exports/
#16308194 at 2022-05-20 04:12:30 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20630: MotherJones Hit Piece on Jim Watkins Refuted: Transcript & Video Edition
Half of Russia's Gas-Buyers Have Agreed to Pay in Rubles - Russian Economy is Growing, Doing Fine
Andrew Anglin May 19, 2022
>http://stormer5v52vjsw66jmds7ndeecudq444woadhzr2plxlaayexnh6eqd.onion/half-of-russias-gas-buyers-have-agreed-to-pay-in-rubles-russian-economy-is-growing-doing-fine/
>"I think we have about 54 companies that have contracts with Gazprom Export," #Russia's Novak said. "According to the data I have, about half of them have already opened special accounts in our authorized bank" to pay for #gas in rubleshttps://t.co/A1PDQhUHuQ
> - Olga Tanas (@olyatanas) May 19, 2022
The US can keep dumping infinity weapons on the Ukraine. But they can't really do anything else to Russia's economy.
They've already done everything they could do, and Russia hasn't really been terribly bothered by it.
>RT:
>Approximately half of Russia's 54 gas importers have opened ruble accounts with Gazprombank in compliance with Moscow's newly introduced payment rules, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday.
>"According to my information, about half [of the buyers] have already opened special accounts in our authorized bank - in foreign currency and rubles - in order to ensure the receipt of foreign exchange earnings, conversion into rubles and payment for the supplied gas in rubles," Novak said, as cited by RIA Novosti news agency. He noted that this process has been stretched over time, with the final settlements for April taking place in May.
>"In the coming days we will see the final list of those who paid in rubles and those who refused to pay," Novak stated. He added that all larger companies have opened accounts, paid for supplies or are ready to pay when they are due.
The American economy has been drastically affected by Biden's sanctions on Russia, which mortally wounded an economy that was already crippled under Biden.
As far as we can tell, the sanctions regime hasn't really done anything to Russia at all.
Their economy is doing a lot better than America's.
>Russia says it achieved 3.5% economic growth in first quarter of 2022
>Resource extraction and passenger transport drove the Russian economy. While growth is below 5% in fourth quarter 2021, official statistics do not show a major sanctions-induced collapse
> - Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) May 18, 2022
>Jacques Sapir is one of the foremost Western experts on the Russian economy. He explains that the current best forecast is that Russia's GDP will grow by 1.3% GDP in 2022 👇
>So looks like the "destruction of the Russian economy" that's been promised isn't exactly happening. https://t.co/3rFbW0BNsK
>- Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 17, 2022
>When Joe Biden said he will destroy the Russian economy what he actually meant was he will destroy the American economy >pic.twitter.com/1n3eGU0OnA
>- Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) May 19, 2022
>Biden's sanctions are really killing the Russian economy. 🤣😂 >https://t.co/V2Rp5evACZ
>- Hal Furman (@HalFurman) May 18, 2022
As the Russian economy grows, Democrat shills are celebrating that Russians no longer have permission to consume poisonous American slop.
>BREAKING NEWS: In a huge loss for Putin and the Russian economy, McDonald's announces that it is pulling out of Russia in order to punish The Kremlin for its illegal invasion of Ukraine. RT TO THANK MCDONALD'S FOR STANDING WITH UKRAINE!
> - Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) May 16, 2022
#16082258 at 2022-04-15 18:02:43 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20342: Russian Warship, What are you Nuking? Edition
More countries agree to ruble payments for gas - Russian deputy PM
Moscow is awaiting decisions from other importers, Alexander Novak says
Several buyers of Russian natural gas have agreed to switch to payment in rubles, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.
"We expect the decision [to switch to rubles] from other importers," Novak added, in comments published in the ministry's magazine, without disclosing the identities of the customers who have already switched.
The deputy PM noted that EU countries will likely not be able to completely replace Russian energy in the next 5-10 years. It is impossible to talk about guaranteeing Europe's energy security without Russian resources, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that some Western countries are failing to pay on time for deliveries of Russian energy. Last month, Putin signed a decree that requires a new payment procedure for Russian gas starting on April 1, for buyers from hostile nations. The measure concerns countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia and have frozen its foreign reserves.
Russia has instructed buyers operating in countries designated as "unfriendly" to open two accounts in Russia's Gazprombank, one in euros and one in rubles. Payment for gas would go to the euro account, after which the bank would exchange it into rubles. State-owned Gazprom will consider payments complete once the rubles arrive.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said this week the country is ready to pay for Russian gas in accordance with the proposed scheme. Szijjarto added that his country does not believe this violates the EU's sanctions regime.
On Friday, Armenia's economy minister, Vahan Kerobyan, told Russian media outlet RBC that Yerevan has made several payments for natural gas in rubles.
https://www.rt.com/business/553939-countries-ruble-payments-gas/
#16081898 at 2022-04-15 17:07:16 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20342: Russian Warship, What are you Nuking? Edition
15 Apr, 2022 16:07
HomeBusiness News
More countries agree to ruble payments for gas - Russian deputy PM
Moscow is awaiting decisions from other importers, Alexander Novak says
Several buyers of Russian natural gas have agreed to switch to payment in rubles, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.
"We expect the decision [to switch to rubles] from other importers," Novak added, in comments published in the ministry's magazine, without disclosing the identities of the customers who have already switched.
The deputy PM noted that EU countries will likely not be able to completely replace Russian energy in the next 5-10 years. It is impossible to talk about guaranteeing Europe's energy security without Russian resources, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that some Western countries are failing to pay on time for deliveries of Russian energy. Last month, Putin signed a decree that requires a new payment procedure for Russian gas starting on April 1, for buyers from hostile nations. The measure concerns countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia and have frozen its foreign reserves.
Russia has instructed buyers operating in countries designated as "unfriendly" to open two accounts in Russia's Gazprombank, one in euros and one in rubles. Payment for gas would go to the euro account, after which the bank would exchange it into rubles. State-owned Gazprom will consider payments complete once the rubles arrive.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said this week the country is ready to pay for Russian gas in accordance with the proposed scheme. Szijjarto added that his country does not believe this violates the EU's sanctions regime.
On Friday, Armenia's economy minister, Vahan Kerobyan, told Russian media outlet RBC that Yerevan has made several payments for natural gas in rubles.
https://www.rt.com/business/553939-countries-ruble-payments-gas/
#15925405 at 2022-03-23 14:16:18 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20139: Wednesday Thrills n Shills Edition
23 Mar, 2022 12:05
Moscow warns Europe of energy market collapse
Gas prices could top $4,000 per 1,000 cubic meters if Russian imports are banned, according to the former energy minister
Trump warned the EU, but they were so arrogant they would never listen to Trumpso bought the gas from Russia anyway. Or maybe that was Trumps plan to drive them to Russia, silly probably.
The exchange price for gas in Europe at the level of $4,000 per 1,000 cubic meters is not the limit, as the volume at storage facilities is significantly lower than last year, the Russian deputy prime minister and former energy minister, Alexander Novak, said on Wednesday.
According to him, the ban on Russian oil and gas imports could result in a crash of Europe's energy market.
"It is absolutely obvious that without Russian hydrocarbons, if sanctions are imposed, the gas and oil markets will collapse. The rise in prices for energy resources can be unpredictable," Novak said.
He pointed out that Washington's ban on Russian oil and petroleum products has already led to an increase in fuel prices in the US by 19%. At the same time, the share of domestic energy resources in the United States is only 3% of Russian exports.
"Our partners are trying to shift their problems associated with rising prices on to Russia. Although, obviously, our country has nothing to do with this crisis," Novak said.
He stressed that Russia has never used energy resources as a weapon and that gas supplies to Europe are currently being carried out in accordance with contracts, despite the difficult geopolitical situation.
The deputy PM also said that the EU's cancelation of the Nord Stream 2 gas project has already led to a huge increase in gas prices, while oil has soared by 40% due to sanctions.
The EU is heavily reliant on Russian fossil fuels. Around 90% of the gas used in the EU is imported, according to the European Commission. Russia provided roughly 45% of these imports at various levels to EU member states in 2021.
https://www.rt.com/business/552527-moscow-warns-europe-energy-crisis/
#15913981 at 2022-03-22 00:03:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20124: Maricopa County Receives Renewed Request Edition
21 Mar, 2022 14:06
HomeRussia & FSU
Russia considers banning uranium exports to US
Aint that fucking bite on the ass! Thanks Obama and HRC.
EU should have listened to Trump now they will be as the ones that created their own punishment. Stupid arrogant people
Deputy PM says the measure is being discussed as a response to the US embargo on Russian energy resources
The Russian government is considering a ban on the supply of uranium to the US as a possible response to Washington's embargo on Russian energy resources.
On March 8, President Joe Biden announced that his administration was banning Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports to the US as part of a sanctions package in response to Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Uranium, which is not currently produced in the US, has not appeared on the sanctions lists.
Speaking to parliamentarians and reporters on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak discussed plans to diversify Russia's oil exports. Asked to comment on the idea of stopping uranium exports to the US as a potential "counter-sanction" measure, Novak replied that "this matter is also on the agenda, it is being reviewed."
Almost half of the uranium being used by US nuclear power plants has been imported from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, despite the US having its own significant reserves.
US uranium mining sites in Texas and Wyoming, which boomed during the Cold War, have remained mothballed for a number of years.
However, recent weeks saw some energy companies expressing readiness to resume production subject to agreement by nuclear power producers to commit to long-term agreements.
Speaking about the impact of the sanctions, Novak said that the US and UK embargo on Russian energy resources would not mean big losses for the Russian economy.
"This affected us to a lesser extent, because we supplied very little there... As for the United States, we supplied 3% of our total crude oil exports and 7% of our petroleum products," he explained.
When it comes to Europe, in Novak's opinion, there is no chance that the region would ban Russian energy supplies.
"It's definitely impossible at the moment... The same is true for oil, now it's impossible to replace Russian oil," the deputy prime minister said.
He added that "in the extreme case," Russian "would diversify deliveries towards Asian markets."
Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report, EU ministers are set to discuss a ban on Russian oil as part of a fifth package of sanctions.
https://www.rt.com/russia/552404-
#15913482 at 2022-03-21 23:00:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20123: Do not forget the iran deal edition Anonymous
21 Mar, 2022 14:06
HomeRussia & FSU
Russia considers banning uranium exports to US
Aint that fucking bite on the ass
Deputy PM says the measure is being discussed as a response to the US embargo on Russian energy resources
The Russian government is considering a ban on the supply of uranium to the US as a possible response to Washington's embargo on Russian energy resources.
On March 8, President Joe Biden announced that his administration was banning Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports to the US as part of a sanctions package in response to Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Uranium, which is not currently produced in the US, has not appeared on the sanctions lists.
Speaking to parliamentarians and reporters on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak discussed plans to diversify Russia's oil exports. Asked to comment on the idea of stopping uranium exports to the US as a potential "counter-sanction" measure, Novak replied that "this matter is also on the agenda, it is being reviewed."
Almost half of the uranium being used by US nuclear power plants has been imported from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, despite the US having its own significant reserves.
US uranium mining sites in Texas and Wyoming, which boomed during the Cold War, have remained mothballed for a number of years. However, recent weeks saw some energy companies expressing readiness to resume production subject to agreement by nuclear power producers to commit to long-term agreements.
Speaking about the impact of the sanctions, Novak said that the US and UK embargo on Russian energy resources would not mean big losses for the Russian economy.
"This affected us to a lesser extent, because we supplied very little there… As for the United States, we supplied 3% of our total crude oil exports and 7% of our petroleum products," he explained.
When it comes to Europe, in Novak's opinion, there is no chance that the region would ban Russian energy supplies.
"It's definitely impossible at the moment... The same is true for oil, now it's impossible to replace Russian oil," the deputy prime minister said.
He added that "in the extreme case," Russian "would diversify deliveries towards Asian markets."
Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report, EU ministers are set to discuss a ban on Russian oil as part of a fifth package of sanctions.
https://www.rt.com/russia/552404-uranium-supply-us-russia/
#15871169 at 2022-03-16 00:04:04 (UTC+1)
Q Research #20070: GOD WINS Edition
India is in talks with Moscow about increasing oil imports from Russia in an effort to keep spiraling prices in check, India's petroleum minister told Parliament this week. The move comes as New Delhi is also striving to preserve its relationship with Moscow, its biggest supplier of weapons, at a time when India faces an aggressive China on its borders.
"I myself have had a conversation with the appropriate levels of the Russian federation," Hardeep Singh Puri, India's minister of gas and petroleum, told lawmakers on Monday. He said the issues being discussed included insurance, freight, and payment arrangements.
India depends on imports for about 80 percent of its oil needs, with 3 percent of that coming from Russia. India's oil and petroleum imports from Russia amount to nearly $1 billion, Alexander Novak, Russia's deputy prime minister, said in a statement on Friday.
Reuters reported earlier that Indian officials were in talks with Russia to import crude oil at a discounted price and that one of India's main refineries had bought millions of barrels from the trader Vitol to be delivered in May.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/world/europe/india-russia-oil-imports.html
#15830060 at 2022-03-10 18:44:44 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #20017: All BioLab Roads lead to the US? Edition
Never again will we rely on the West: Lavrov says Russia will solve its economic issues
"We will make sure that we never find ourselves in a similar situation again and that no 'Uncle Sam' or anyone else can make decisions that are aimed at destroying our economy," the top diplomat vowed
Russia will be able to solve its economic problems in such a way that it will not depend on Western governments and companies ever again, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following talks with his Ukrainian and Turkish counterparts Dmitry Kuleba and Mevlut Cavusoglu.
"We will solve this problem in such a way that never again will we depend on [our] Western partners, be it governments or companies that are not guided by the interests of their business, but have become a tool of political aggression, Russia is now experiencing from the West," he said.
"We will make sure that we never find ourselves in a similar situation again and that no 'Uncle Sam' or anyone else can make decisions that are aimed at destroying our economy," he vowed.
We will find a way to no longer depend on it, and it should have been done a long time ago," Lavrov added.
Oil and gas are not weaponized
Touching upon claims that Russia 'weaponizes' its oil and gas supplies, Lavrov preferred to leave such accusations "to the discretion and conscience of Western colleagues."
"As for oil and gas: we leave it all to the discretion and conscience of our Western colleagues," he said, adding "We have never used oil and gas as a weapon, although they (Western colleagues - TASS) regularly accuse us of doing so."
In this regard, the minister recalled how more than ten years ago, Ukraine provoked a crisis by getting into the habit of stealing natural gas, which was supplied through its territory via transit from Russia to Europe.
"We regularly shipped transit gas to Europe in full compliance with our obligations regarding volumes and prices, but they siphoned it off," he said.
"Do you think Europe somehow tried to manage them? Not at all: they started to claim that it was Russia, which was weaponizing this gas, although they knew perfectly well what was really going on."
Ukraine as a tool against Russia
"Everything that is happening with regards to Ukraine is measured by a lone standard, how to harm Russia through this country, and how to contain Russia," the top diplomat said.
"This containment began long ago, before it was officially announced," he added.
Lavrov highlighted the fact that in the West they "called Russia every name in the book, imposed sanctions, banned their companies from staying in the country, everyone fled, but at the same time they say that they will buy oil and gas, because otherwise they will freeze from the cold." According to him, such behavior perfectly demonstrated Europe's so-called values.
The minister also spoke about the threats being echoed in the West to impose an embargo on the purchase of Russian energy resources. "Go ahead! If they stop buying oil and gas, our Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees the energy sector, spoke in detail that we will not persuade them to buy our oil and gas," he stressed.
"If they want to substitute it, they are welcome to do so. "We will have markets for sales, we already have them," he added.
https://tass.com/politics/1420031
#12134578 at 2020-12-22 19:14:03 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #15493: The Christmas Miracle Of President Trump And Patriots Edition
U.S. Adds Chinese, Russian Companies To MEU "Alternative Sanctions" List, Pushing Them Closer Together
On December 21st, the US Department of Commerce published the names of 103 entities, which includes 58 Chinese and 45 Russian companies.
They are included in a new 'Military End User' (MEU) List, which is part of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
The U.S. Government has determined that these companies are 'military end users' for purposes of the 'military end user' control in the EAR that applies to specified items for exports, reexports, or transfers (in-country) to the China, Russia, and Venezuela when such items are destined for a prohibited 'military end user.'
"This action establishes a new process to designate military end users on the MEU List to assist exporters in screening their customers for military end users," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. "The Department recognizes the importance of leveraging its partnerships with U.S. and global companies to combat efforts by China and Russia to divert U.S. technology for their destabilizing military programs, including by highlighting red flag indicators such as those related to Communist Chinese military companies identified by the Department of Defense."
This is essentially an alternative way to sanction Russia, China, Venezuela, Iran and others.
The MEU List informs exporters, reexporters, and transferors that a license will be required to export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) designated items to listed entities. The U.S. Government has determined that these entities represent an unacceptable risk of use in or diversion to a 'military end use' or 'military end user' in China, Russia, or Venezuela.
However, it is likely that this "alternative sanctioning" will also backfire and push Russia, China, Iran and others to cooperate even more economically and could potentially further isolate the US.
In relation to the new developments, Iran is making moves to further increase economic relations with Russia.
Iranian Oil Minister Bizhan Namdar Zangane said that Iran views Russia as a strategic partner and welcomes Russian investments in the country's oil industry.
According to the minister, one of the topics discussed at the meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak was the topic of world oil markets.
The meeting was also attended by Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov. Given the serious cooperation in OPEC +, the views on this issue of the two countries turned out to be very close. Therefore, cooperation with Russian companies in the field of oil, gas and equipment production will continue.
https://southfront.org/u-s-adds-chinese-russian-companies-to-meu-alternative-sanctions-list-pushing-them-closer-together/
#11903601 at 2020-12-04 19:36:01 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #15195: Yes Virginia, There is a Kraken Edition
12/04/2020 Financial News: 17 banks have suspended creating new precious metals trading accounts for individuals
1. 17 banks have suspended creating new precious metals trading accounts for individuals
These banks include China's six largest banks, Industrial and Commericial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Savings Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank, and the specific reopening time has not yet been determined.
2. Anxin Trust Co., Ltd has to face a debt of ¥20 billion (about $3billion)
Since 2020, Essence Trust's 33 new cases have still been under trial, involving a total of ¥3.054 billion (about $450million). In addition to what Essence Trust previously disclosed, as of the end of 2019, the company was involved in 64 cases as a defendant, involving ¥17.357 billion (about $2.5 billion) yuan in litigation, and Essence Trust is currently involved more than ¥20 billion (about $3 billion) in litigation.
3. The scale of trust assets has shrunk for three consecutive years, and financing trusts dropped by nearly ¥500 billion (about $76 billion) compared to the previous month.
4. The People's Bank of China and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission jointly issued the "Measures for the Evaluation of Systemically Important Banks" on the 3rd, which will be implemented on January 1, 2021.
5. People's Bank of China?central bank? has carried out reverse repurchase for 13 consecutive working days and Invest net money for ¥80 billion (about $12 billion).
6. Russia's Novak eyes OPEC+ oil output increase by two million bpd by April
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told state Rossiya-24 TV on Thursday the cumulative oil output increase by the OPEC+ group will likely reach a planned 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by April barring a force majeure.
7. Russian, Chinese intelligence targeting Norwegian oil secrets: report
Russia, China and other countries are using espionage to glean secrets of Norway's petroleum industry and plans by its government to cut or increase production, the Norwegian counterintelligence service PST said.
https://gnews.org/617161/
#11117771 at 2020-10-17 14:59:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #14218 Crack Pipe Joe, Where Did Ya Go? Edition
Russia, Saudi Arabia Prepared to Keep Energy Market Stable
Russia and Saudi Arabia are ready to cooperate closely to keep the global energy market stable, the Kremlin said in an emailed statement after President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, held their second phone call this week. The two spoke "extensively" about the OPEC+ cooperation, continuing an Oct. 13 conversation during which they reviewed efforts to balance supply and demand in the oil market and boost the global economy. The calls came before a small group of the world's main oil exporters are scheduled to review compliance with production cuts on Oct. 19.
With new coronavirus outbreaks in Europe and the Americas weighing on demand, many in the market question whether OPEC producers and their allies will increase output by 2 million barrels a day from January as part of a plan to taper cuts started in May. The group an alliance of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and others such as Russia and Mexico is set to decide its policy when all members meet on Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Earlier this week, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, Suhail Al Mazrouei, said that, for now, the group plans to proceed with the supply boost as scheduled. At the same time, OPEC's joint technical committee on Friday warned that under a negative scenario global oil stockpiles could increase by an average 200,000 barrels a day next year. The scenario, which is not the base case for the group, could materialize if Libya manages to revive supply and the pandemic hits demand harder than expected, according to a document seen by Bloomberg.
Putin and the crown prince also discussed cooperation in fighting the pandemic and the possibility of using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Saudi Arabia, the Kremlin said.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-17/russia-saudi-arabia-ready-to-keep-energy-market-stable-kremlin
#9287673 at 2020-05-23 15:18:41 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11886: Harvesting Fires Edition
Putin orders support for Russia's oil industry amid OPEC+ cuts
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his government until June 15 to come up with a plan to support the country's oil industry while output is slashed under an agreement among the world's main producers. Putin ordered ministers to work out "special rates" that pipeline operator Transneft PJSC and Russian Railways JSC will charge for transporting crude and petroleum products while the OPEC+ agreement is in effect, according to a document published on the Kremlin website. Igor Sechin, chief executive officer of Rosneft PJSC, Russia's biggest oil producer, has called for an adjustment of transportation rates to bring them into line with market prices.
Large oilfield servicing companies could also be included in the government's list of systemically important companies, making them eligible for state support. As output falls, orders for servicing companies may fall as much as 40 per cent, and even more in some cases, Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Putin last month. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia agreed last month to cut global crude output by nearly a tenth in a bid to lift oil prices from almost 20-year lows. Russia and Saudi Arabia will bear the brunt of the production restraints, which are set to last for about two years, though the size of the cuts will be reduced over time.
Novak said on May 18 that the country would "move ahead fully in line with the deal" reached on output cuts. His comments signaled that Russia will likely push for strict adherence to the terms of the agreement when oil-producing countries convene next month to discuss the progress of the curbs. Oil companies shouldn't be sanctioned for falling below production targets set out in plans for oilfield development while the OPEC+ agreement is in effect, according to the Kremlin document, which sets out a list of instructions following a meeting late last month on the development of the energy sector.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/putin-orders-support-for-russia-s-oil-industry-amid-opec-cuts-1.1440248
cap#2 is how and why VP/Russia can wait them out..has plenty and time and resources that OPEC+ does not
#8737538 at 2020-04-09 21:11:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11187: Countdown To 4-10-20 ! Edition
Russia, Saudi Arabia 'Very, Very Close' to Agreement on Cuts in Oil Output - Russian Official
OPEC members and other oil-exporting nations including Russia held talks on Thursday to try to put an end to the crude price war which began last month after exporters failed to reach an agreement on production cuts amid the global COVID-19-related economic downturn.
Russia and Saudi Arabia are "very, very close" to reaching an agreement aimed at stabilizing the oil market via cuts in output, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev has said.
"I think the whole market understands that this deal is important and it will bring lots of stability, so much important stability to the market, and we are very close," he said, speaking to CNBC on Thursday.
A source in one of the delegations taking part in Thursday's OPEC+ meeting confirmed to Sputnik that most OPEC+ nations have agreed on quotas as part of joint plans to cut production. "So far, everything is going very well. Most countries have given their initial consent to the allocation of quotas proposed by the OPEC+ Monitoring Committee. At the moment, if there are no unforeseen disagreements, the probability of signing a final agreement is high," the source said.
Two Distinct Proposals Reported
According to Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, there are two proposals on the reduction in output -one calling for a drop of 10 million barrels per day (bpd) and the other 11 million bpd.
Earlier in the day, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow would consider it appropriate if all major producers were to join the OPEC+ effort to try to stabilize the global oil markets, since doing so would be in the interests of producers and consumers alike.
"Immediate and timely measures are needed, and we need to join forces with all oil-producing countries to alter the situation associated with the significant overproduction of oil in the world," the minister said, speaking at Thursday's meeting.
The minister also welcomed the participation of representatives from Canada, Norway, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Colombia, Indonesia, Chad, Ecuador, and other non-OPEC+ members in Thursday's videocall, and said Russia would consider it appropriate to include them in any deal on output cuts.
"We consider it appropriate to increase the number of countries which can take part in a joint effort to stabilize the situation in the world. And we again welcome here today the participation of our colleagues who have not previously participated in the OPEC+ agreement," Novak said.
Russia's energy ministry estimates that supply exceeds demand by 10-15 million barrels per day, and that these figures may grow given the continued economic downturn in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are alarmed by the growth of commercial oil reserves and the possibility of completely filling up oil storage facilities. This may lead to serious consequences for the oil industry and the world economy as a whole," Novak said.
https://sputniknews.com/business/202004091078897692-it-would-be-reasonable-for-others-to-join-oil-market-stabilization-efforts—russian-energy/
#8369111 at 2020-03-10 18:47:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10714: ES X2 Comb Your Hair Edition
Saudi Arabia, Russia raise stakes in oil production standoff
Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it would boost its oil supplies to a record high in April, raising the stakes in a standoff with Russia and effectively rebuffing Moscow's suggestion for new talks. The clash of oil titans Saudi Arabia and Russia sparked a 25% slump in crude prices on Monday, triggering panic selling on Wall Street and other equity markets that have already been badly hit by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Oil prices LCOc1 recovered some ground on Tuesday, but were still 40% down on the start of the year.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a call on Monday to discuss global energy markets, the White House said on Tuesday. Trump is seeking re-election this year and will benefit from lower gasoline prices at the pump. But the U.S. government will also be concerned by the potential for bankruptcies in the U.S. shale industry, which plays an increasingly important economic role. Several U.S. oil firms said on Tuesday they would cut spending and dividends.
Amin Nasser, chief executive of Saudi Aramco said the state-run oil giant would increase supply in April to 12.3 million barrels per day (bpd), or 300,000 bpd above its maximum production capacity, indicating it may draw from storage.
Saudi Arabia has been pumping around 9.7 million bpd in the past few months, but has extra production capacity it can turn on and it has hundreds of millions of barrels of crude in store. Moscow said Russian oil companies might boost output by up to 300,000 bpd and could increase it by as much as 500,000 bpd, sending the Russian rouble and stocks plunging.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Russia that energy markets needed to stay "orderly". Brent oil prices jumped 8% on Tuesday to above $37 per barrel after Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow was ready to discuss new measures with OPEC.
Russia's Energy Ministry also called for a meeting with Russian oil firms on Wednesday to discuss future cooperation with OPEC, two sources told Reuters.
But Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman appeared to rebuff the suggestion.
"I fail to see the wisdom for holding meetings in May-June that would only demonstrate our failure in attending to what we should have done in a crisis like this and taking the necessary measures," he told Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-opec-saudi/saudi-arabia-russia-raise-stakes-in-oil-production-standoff-idUSKBN20X13Q
#8343871 at 2020-03-08 00:04:38 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10682: Infinite Clearance WWG1WGA Edition
oh what a difference 24 hours makes, not like they have a choice
Saudis Plan Big Oil Output Hike, Beginning All-Out Price War
Saudi Arabia plans to increase oil output next month, going well above 10 million barrels a day, as the kingdom responds aggressively to the collapse of its OPEC+ alliance with Russia.
The world's largest oil exporter started a price war on Saturday by slashing the prices it sells crude into foreign markets by the most in at least 20 years, offering unprecedented discounts in Europe, the Far East and the U.S. to entice refiners to purchase Saudi crude at the expense of other suppliers.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has privately told some market participants it could raise production much higher if needed, even going to a record of 12 million barrels a day, according to people familiar with the conversations, who asked not to be named to protect commercial relations. With demand being ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak, opening the taps like that would throw oil market into chaos. In the first instance, Saudi production is likely to rise above 10 million barrels a day in April, from about 9.7 millions a day this month, according to people familiar with Saudi thinking.
"That's the oil market equivalent of a declaration of war," said a commodities hedge fund manager, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation. The shock-and-awe Saudi strategy could be an attempt to impose maximum pain in the quickest possible way to Russia and other producers, in an effort to bring them back to the negotiating table, and then quickly reverse the production surge and start cutting output if a deal is achieved. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, closed down 9.4% on Friday, its biggest daily drop since the global financial crisis in 2008, settling at $45.27 a barrel.
The production increase and deep discounts mark a dramatic escalation by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudi oil minister, after his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak rejected an ultimatum on Friday in Vienna at the OPEC+ meeting to join in a collective production cut. After the talks collapsed, Novak said countries were free to pump-at-will from the end of March. With jet-fuel, gasoline and diesel consumption rapidly falling due to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, the energy market now faces a simultaneous supply-and-demand shock. After the failure in Vienna, Riyadh responded within hours by cutting its so-called official selling prices, offering record discounts for some of the crude it sells worldwide, according to a copy of the prices seen by Bloomberg News. Aramco has set the prices, but the official communication to clients is likely to come on Monday, a person familiar with the matter said.
The Saudi Energy ministry didn't respond to a request for comment.
Last month, Saudi Arabia not only implemented the OPEC+ output cuts, but "voluntarily" restrained its production even further in an effort to lift prices. When the OPEC+ deal expires in three weeks, Riyadh will be able to pump as much as it wants.
Aramco tells refiners each month the price at which it will sell its crude, often adjusting the OSP by a few cents or as much a couple of dollars. But on Saturday, Aramco told customers it was slashing official prices by $6-$8 a barrel across all regions. The dramatic move will resonate beyond Saudi Arabia. The kingdom's pricing decision affects about 14 million barrels a day of oil exports, as other producers in the Persian Gulf region follow its lead in setting prices for their own shipments.
https://www.bloomberg.com//news/articles/2020-03-07/saudis-plan-big-oil-output-hike-beginning-all-out-price-war
#8072778 at 2020-02-08 14:14:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10333: Early AM Saturday Almost E-bake Edition
As OPEC+ Reels From China Virus, Libya Threatens Knockout Punch
Peace talks on Sunday aim to restart Libya's oil industry. Cartel is already struggling to find a response to epidemic
After a week of wrestling, OPEC and Russia may be within reach of a hesitant response to the coronavirus. But a possible peace deal in Libya threatens to knock them off balance.
As the deadly epidemic in China has hammered crude demand and prices, it's often been overlooked that the sudden surplus in global production would be much worse if most of the North African nation's oil industry hadn't been shut down by conflict. If the warring sides are able to reach an agreement in Cairo on Sunday, the restored oil output would dwarf the tentative production cut that was proposed at OPEC+ talks this week.
That would turn what's already been a stern test for the cartel into a potentially insurmountable challenge.
"If Libya is able to restart exports, it will further complicate the maths for the dwindling number of OPEC countries able to implement credible output cuts," said Bill Farren-Price, a director at consultant RS Energy Group. Saudi Arabia and its allies would simply be making room for "additional barrels from other producers at a time when demand is suffering a major exogenous shock." The alliance between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and countries including Russia has endured one of the toughest periods in its three-year history. The coronavirus has struck at the heart of global oil demand growth, locking down cities that are home to tens of millions and shutting a huge swathe of manufacturing.
Crude has slumped about 20% in the past month, with U.S. prices dipping below $50 a barrel for the first time in more than a year. If prices don't recover soon, the budgets of entire nations from Saudi Arabia to Kazakhstan will suffer.
The Saudis have been pushing for urgent action – an emergency OPEC+ meeting that would agree on a substantial production cut. But the cartel is already making significant supply reductions, withholding about 2.1 million barrels a day from the market to offset the U.S. shale boom. Russia has been reluctant to go any deeper.
Three days of talks between OPEC+ officials in Vienna this week delivered only a sliver of what the Saudis had wanted. Technical experts from the group recommended a fresh cut of 600,000 barrels a day – barely a third of the drop in demand from Chinese refiners – but they didn't set a date for an emergency meeting and Russia still hasn't given its approval. They also recommended an extension of the existing output cuts by nine months until the end of 2020.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has promised to say within days whether his country will support the recommended OPEC+ production cut. A Libyan peace accord could render that answer redundant before he's even delivered it by adding about 1 million barrels a day of oil to the market. Three days of talks between OPEC+ officials in Vienna this week delivered only a sliver of what the Saudis had wanted. Technical experts from the group recommended a fresh cut of 600,000 barrels a day – barely a third of the drop in demand from Chinese refiners – but they didn't set a date for an emergency meeting and Russia still hasn't given its approval. They also recommended an extension of the existing output cuts by nine months until the end of 2020.
https://www.bloomberg.com//news/articles/2020-02-08/as-opec-reels-from-china-virus-libya-threatens-knockout-punch
#7875217 at 2020-01-22 15:53:08 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10078: Baker Dropped the Dough Edition
https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/putin-keeps-key-ministers-new-russian-government-doc-1o34161
Putin keeps key ministers in new Russian government
But he replaced several officials in charge of social affairs, including the ministers of health, education, labour and economic development.
Putin has said the government of new Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin should focus on boosting Russia's economy and improving living standards.
"I sincerely wish you success… it is in the interests of the entire country," Putin said during a televised meeting with the new cabinet.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu – both staunch Putin allies and key policy figures – held on to their positions, as well as the finance and energy ministers, Anton Siluanov and Alexander Novak.
The government of Putin's longtime ally Dmitry Medvedev resigned last week, a few hours after the president announced the constitutional reforms.
Medvedev was replaced the next day by Mishustin, the little-known head of Russia's tax service.
The reforms will transfer some authority to parliament, including the power to choose the prime minister, and beef up the role of an advisory body called the State Council, potentially headed by Putin.
Critics say Putin, 67, could use that position to continue to shape domestic and foreign policy after his fourth Kremlin term expires in 2024.
Mishustin promised "real changes" as he was approved by parliament last week, echoing language Putin had used in his state of the nation address announcing the reforms.
#7634546 at 2019-12-27 22:17:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9768: One more can't hurt
Obey immediately or face sanctions: Washington sets 30-day deadline for European contractors to abandon Nord Stream 2 project
The US State Department has issued an ultimatum to European companies taking part in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, demanding they cease all work by January 20.
In a document called 'fact sheet' on the US opposition to Nord Stream 2, the State Department demands that all related parties "immediately cease construction-related activity" in a "good-faith wind-down," adding that those who would lack this good faith, would face sanctions.
Further in the text, it clarifies that the contractors have 30 days to comply with America's demands, warning that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will identify and reveal all "violators" to the US Congress in about two months.
Apart from threats of sanctions against those who defy Washington and cooperate with Russia on the gas pipeline project, the document repeats arguments about Nord Stream 2 allegedly harming Ukraine's interests and threatening European energy security. "The United States' intention is to stop construction of Nord Stream 2," it bluntly says.
The US' threats have alienated a Swiss-Dutch construction company, Allseas, which earlier halted work on the last section of the pipe. However on Friday, Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak said that the pipeline would still be launched by the end of 2020 as Russia itself has the equipment needed to complete construction.
Objections to the pipeline from Washington and its European client states have been mainly political in nature, dealing with the potential loss of leverage more than anything else. The US has even called Germany a "hostage" because of its "increasing dependency" on Russian gas, while offering its own liquefied natural gas - officially described as "molecules of freedom" - as an alternative, though at a much higher price. Ukraine and Poland, in their turn, have bemoaned that Nord Stream 2 would rob them of billions of dollars in transit fees they've been collecting from Russia over the years.
https://www.rt.com/business/476987-nord-stream-sanctions-ultimatum/
#7573910 at 2019-12-20 21:01:06 (UTC+1)
Q Research #9689: Space Command #Christmas Edition
'Gas War' Averted: Russia & Ukraine Agree To Crucial Transit Deal, Defying The Hawks
This isn't supposed to happen according to those neo-Cold War pundits who keep telling us Putin is not only bent on taking over Ukraine, but Europe as well - especially through gas and energy dominance.
Per FT, a major gas transit deal has been reached between Ukraine and Russia "in principle" and will likely be imminently signed into effect by Moscow and Kiev leadership, ultimately ending a standoff after Ukraine ceased buying gas directly from Gazprom in 2015:
European natural gas prices fell sharply on Friday after Russia and Ukraine reached a provisional deal to allow the continued transit of gas to Europe in the new year. A stand-off between the two countries had threatened to disrupt supplies to Europe when the existing contract expires on December 31.
…Late on Thursday, Russian energy minister Alexander Novak and his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Orzhel said they had struck an agreement in principle for a new contract, adding that talks were set to continue in Minsk on Friday.
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/gas-war-averted-russia-ukraine-agree-crucial-transit-deal-defying-hawks
#7236232 at 2019-07-29 01:53:50 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9258: Cummings and Goings Edition
The second leg of the Turkish Stream pipeline will go through Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday (26 July).
The Gazprom-sponsored pipeline Turkish Stream, also called TurkStream, will pump 31.5 billion cubic metres per year (bcm/y) of Russian gas to Europe under the Black Sea, helping Moscow limit the gas transit through Ukraine. Its entry point is on the European territory of Turkey, not far from Bulgaria and Greece.
What was less clear is which way the Russian gas will take further. Part of it, brought by the first leg of the pipeline, will be used on Turkish territory, mainly for the city of Istanbul. The direct supply replaces the current transit via Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria.
Novak said the first leg of the gas pipeline was expected to start operating on 1 January 2020, which was already announced by Gazprom. The real news is Russia's choice for the route of the second leg via Bulgaria, and not Greece.
This obviously means that the existing pipeline between Bulgaria and Turkey will be reversed, and that gas will start flowing in the opposite direction.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/29072019-russia-says-second-leg-of-turkish-stream-to-go-via-bulgaria-not-greece/
#6539547 at 2019-05-20 01:13:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #8362: Truth Is Its Own Defense Edition
Oil Jumps After OPEC Signals Intent to Continue Output Cuts
Oil made a strong start to the week after Saudi Arabia and other OPEC producers signaled their intention to keep oil supplies constrained for the rest of the year, while pledging to prevent any genuine shortages.
Brent futures rose as much as 1.3%, following a 2.3% gain last week. Saudi minister Khalid Al-Falih urged the group to "stay the course" on production cuts at a meeting in Jeddah. Still, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak talked about potentially relaxing the curbs and wanted to wait and see what happens in the next month.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-19/oil-jumps-after-opec-signals-intent-to-continue-output-cuts
https://www.dailyfx.com/crude-oil
#5142662 at 2019-02-12 17:55:23 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #6569: TRUTH WORKS Edition
Rosneft Boss Wants Russia Out Of OPEC Deal
Rosneft's chief executive Igor Sechin wants Russia to quit its production control deal with OPEC, Reuters reported last week, citing sources that have seen a letter Sechin wrote to President Putin. According to the sources, Sechin sees the OPEC deal as a threat to Russia that benefits the United States, but the likelihood of his opinion leading to a pullout from the deal is limited.
Sechin is one of the closest allies of Putin and one of the most powerful figures in Russian politics. As Forbes' Kenneth Rapoza wrote last year, many politicians and big business executives seem willing to face Putin on a bad day. Less so are those willing to face Rosneft's chief. What's more, Sechin is not the only one unhappy with the OPEC deal.
"The letter is a threat to the deal extension. But anyway, Putin is the ultimate decision maker," one of the Reuters sources said. The perspectives of Russia's President and the biggest players in its oil industry may differ here. For Putin, the OPEC deal is really a geopolitical tool rather than a tool for raising oil prices. Russia does not need prices higher. In fact, if they go too high, they will hurt the Russian economy. For the oil industry, however, it's about the oil and the markets more than it is about geopolitics.
Russia first joined forces with OPEC to exert more control over international oil prices in late 2016, when the first OPEC+ production cut agreement was sealed. It aimed to remove some 1.8 million bpd from the oversupplied global market that had pressured prices to below US$30 per barrel for Brent crude. The cuts worked so well that prices rebounded significantly, prompting last year a reversal, as large oil importers found it harder to keep buying at previous rates.
Another rebound followed, reinforced by the reimposition of U.S. sanctions against Iran, which would substantially reduce the availability of Iranian crude on international markets. The effect of the sanctions, however, did not unfold quickly and the granting of sanction waivers to the largest Iranian oil importers led to another slump in oil prices. That's when OPEC started talking about a new round of cuts.
To be fair, Russia was reluctant about joining this round from the start. Moscow budgets lower than current prices, so higher prices were not a necessity for Russia. But the geopolitical agenda is still there, so it was hardly a surprise that despite the conspicuous reluctance, Russia eventually signed up for the new cuts, but at a lower rate than last time. Yet despite this, Russia has also made clear it would rather pass on the opportunity for a closer relationship with OPEC.
Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that OPEC was seeking to formalize its ties with Russia for the long term. However, Back in December, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said, "There is a consensus that there will be no such organization. That's because it requires additional bureaucratic brouhaha." The brouhaha is probably the least of Moscow's reservations about such an arrangement that would be as binding for it as for the other parties-something Sechin and his peers will have trouble stomaching and something that is clearly not to Putin's taste. If it was, it would have happened.
The OPEC+ group is meeting in April to review the cuts agreement. Igor Sechin may want to pull Russia out of it, which would probably lead to a sudden and sharp price drop, but his chances of success are doubtful. Vladimir Putin has indicated on numerous occasions and in numerous ways that he is playing the long geopolitical game, of which the cuts agreement is only a small part.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-12/rosneft-boss-wants-russia-out-opec-deal
#4204820 at 2018-12-08 00:16:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #5355: "Totally clears the President. Thank you!" Edition
OPEC agrees joint 1.2mn bpd output cut despite US pressure
Member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and 10 other oil producing nations have agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels a day despite opposition from US President Donald Trump's administration.
After two days of talks at the OPEC headquarters in Vienna, OPEC and non-OPEC countries, including Russia, reached the deal on Friday to slash their output from January 1, 2019 in a bid to raise crude prices. The US had sought a reduction in oil prices.
"We'll cut 1.2 million bpd total," Iraq's Oil Minister Thamer Abbas al-Ghadhban told reporters after the meeting.
He added that the 14 OPEC members would curb their output by 800,000 bpd while the 10 non-OPEC allies would contribute a 400,000 bpd reduction.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak also confirmed the combined output cuts and said the market would be oversupplied through the first half of the year.
However, the Friday's deal exempted Iran, along with Venezuela and Libya.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the session, Iran's Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh expressed his satisfaction with the decision.
He added that the negotiations were "difficult and complicated" but led to a result in favor of the OPEC member states and Iran.
"OPEC does not want to be pressured from outside the organization. I do not know when the US administration will take lessons from this trend," the Iranian petroleum minister said.
He noted that Russia has no impact on the OPEC but played a leading role in the agreement between members and non-members of the organization.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/12/07/582288/OPEC-Vienna-Iran-Zangeneh-Ghadhban
#4200199 at 2018-12-07 18:53:14 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #5349: Safe Neighborhoods Edition
OPEC countries agree to reduce oil production
VIENNA, December 7. /TASS/. After several hours of negotiations, OPEC countries agreed to reduce oil production in 2019, the Iranian agency Shana reported, citing a participant in the meeting.
"OPEC members have finally reached an agreement on reducing the total volume of production after hours of negotiations," the agency said.
According to Bloomberg, OPEC recommends reducing production by all OPEC + countries by 1.2 million barrels per day.
The price of futures contract for Brent crude for delivery in February 2019 on London's ICE increased by 4.9% to $63.18 per barrel after the news about OPEC agreements to reduce oil production.Thus, the price of oil reaches $62.95 adding 4.6%.
Earlier it was reported that the meeting of the ministers of the OPEC + alliance has begun in Vienna. At the meeting the reduction of oil production will be discussed with Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries not included in the cartel.
Negotiations on the levels of production at OPEC + in Vienna are held from December 5.
According to Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, "these are the hardest negotiations that have ever been."
The OPEC meeting on Thursday lasted six hours and ended without any specific agreements. However the main scenario still envisages a reduction of 1 million barrels per day for all OPEC participants +. October 2018 was preliminary chosen as the benchmark month.
The stumbling points at the meeting on Thursday include the determination of oil production cut quotas for OPEC countries as well as exemptions from oil cuts for such countries as Iran, Venezuela (both under sanctions), and Libya and Nigeria (both were able not to cut production in 2017).
Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who is now taking part in the meeting, earlier discussed Russia's participation in production cuts with President Vladimir Putin.
According to Reuters, Russia is already ready to cut production by 200,000 barrels, and not by 150,000, as previously reported. Before the OPEC+ meeting, Novak held bilateral meetings with Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Saudi counterpart Khalid al-Falih.
Earlier, Al-Falih said that under the baseline scenario, the parties are discussing a reduction in production by 1 mln barrels per day for all members of the alliance from the level of October 2018 for a period of more than six months.
http://tass.com/economy/1034945
#3731436 at 2018-11-04 22:02:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #4739: On The Move Edition
'Watch what we do': Mike Pompeo puts Russia, China on notice over Iran
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday issued a thinly veiled warning to Russia and China putting both countries on notice that it will suffer the consequences if they continue to purchase Iranian oil after U.S. economic sanctions on such exports snap back this week. Washington's top diplomat refused to comment on what specific actions the Trump administration may take against Moscow and Beijing, should both countries decide to continue to do business with Tehran. "Watch what we do" on China and Russia, Mr. Pompeo said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. "Watch the Iranians. That is who really understands the actions we are taking," he added. His comments come a day after Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow would continue to buy Iranian oil, even after U.S. sanctions go back into place on Monday. "We believe we should look for mechanisms that would allow us to continue developing cooperation with our partners, with Iran," Mr. Novak said in an interview with the Financial Times. "We already live in the condition of sanctions. We do not recognize the sanctions introduced unilaterally without the United Nations, we consider those methods illegal per se," he said.
The Trump administration has worked to crush Tehran's oil exports to zero since May, when Mr. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the multilateral deal endorsed by the Obama administration that eased global sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's suspect nuclear programs. The move incensed U.S. allies in western Europe, who had begun to make significant investments in Iran, as a result of the Obama-era nuclear pact, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPoA. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, along with German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström and Danish Foreign Affairs Ministe Anders Samuelsen held a conference call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Saturday, to discuss the blowback to the European Union as a result of the reimposition of U.S. sanctions.
"[Ms]. Mogherini and the European ministers once again reiterated their commitment to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and emphasized the efforts to maintain financial channels with Tehran and the continuation of Iran's oil and gas exports," according to reports by Iranian state-run news outlet IRNA. Aside from economic opportunities, Trump White House critics claim Washington's exit from the Iran nuclear deal and the renewal of sanctions would reignite Tehran's nuclear ambitions. On Sunday, Mr. Pompeo affirmed the international community's backing of Mr. Trump's efforts against Iran. "The whole world understands these sanctions are real," he said during an interview of CBS's Face the Nation. When asked whether the administration's efforts would push Iran closer to a nuclear bomb, he replied: "We are confident that will not happen."
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/4/mike-pompeo-warns-russia-china-over-iran-sanctions/
8kun Midnight Riders Posts (2)
#35588 at 2021-01-05 15:20:06 (UTC+1)
QR Midnight Riders #163: Delta Force Raids Biden Compound in Ukraine Edition
OPEC+ Nears Consensus on Holding Oil Output Steady Next Month
OPEC+ was nearing a consensus that would hold its oil output steady next month, after the group rejected Russia's proposal for a production increase. Negotiations were ongoing and not all details were agreed, one delegate said. Formal talks scheduled for Tuesday afternoon hadn't yet started after being pushed back, said another delegate.
If the agreement is finalized, its significance would go beyond the output increase of 500,000 barrels a day the market had, prior to this week, been expecting for February. It also could have some bearing on similar supply boosts traders had penciled in for March and April. The prevailing view in the group that the highly infectious new variant of Covid-19 could undermine the fragile oil-market recovery could mean a cautious approach to any production hikes for several months.
Brent crude jumped 3% to $52.65 a barrel at 2:42 p.m. in London. The deal would be a victory for Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who has consistently sought to keep a tighter rein on output than many of his allies. In two days of ministerial talks, Russia found itself isolated, facing near-universal opposition to its proposal.
Last month, the prince failed to impose his will on the group, and ended up reluctantly supporting a 500,000 barrel-a-day production hike in January. This time around, a majority of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies were on the kingdom's side, opposing a proposal from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak for another 500,000 barrel-a-day increase next month, delegates said, asking not to be named because the talks were private.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/opec-nears-consensus-on-holding-oil-output-steady-next-month-1.1544015
https://www.macrotrends.net/2566/crude-oil-prices-today-live-chart
#30862 at 2020-12-29 19:55:49 (UTC+1)
QR Midnight Riders #141: Tuesday Morning Melania, War Posture Edition
Russia Pushes Ahead On Gas Link to Europe Before U.S. Sanctions
Russia is stepping up work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline before the U.S. tightens sanctions against the controversial project designed to feed more natural gas into Germany.
Construction of the 1,230-kilometer (764-mile) reached a milestone on Monday with the completion of pipe-laying in German's exclusive economic zone, the project operator said. Among the next steps resuming work in Denmark's part of the Baltic Sea, where the bulk of the remaining sections of the 157 kilometer link will be located.
"There are approximately 120 kilometres in Danish waters and approximately 30 kilometres in German EEZ to be laid," Nord Stream 2 said in an emailed reply to questions on Tuesday. "We are not in a position to deliver further construction details. We will inform about further offshore construction activities in due time. Progress on the link is a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the nation's gas export champion, Gazprom PJSC. When complete, the project will allow Russia to expand deliveries of gas to Europe and circumvent the traditional transport corridor through Ukraine. The U.S. and Eastern European nations say Nord Stream 2 will make Germany and the European Union too reliant on Russian gas.
Work on the 9.5 billion-euro ($11.6 billion) project stopped a year ago by U.S. sanctions and resumed only earlier this month when Gazprom found its own ship to lay the pipeline. Nord Stream 2 can use the vessel Fortuna to carry out the work starting Jan. 15, assisted by construction vessels Murman and Baltiyskiy Issledovatel and other supply ships, the Danish Maritime Authority said last week. Based on the Danish permit, the operator must submit an updated schedule to the nation's Energy Agency prior to carrying out the works. So far, the regulator hasn't received the updated plan, the agency said. The Fortuna vessel can lay as much as 1 kilometer of pipes per day. At that rate, analysts estimate Nord Stream 2 could start operations as soon as the end of 2021 under an optimistic scenario. The. U.S. meanwhile is maneuvering to tighten sanctions, extending penalties to companies that provide technical certification and insurance for the work. That legislation was part of a broader defense bill that passed congress but was vetoed by President Donald Trump. The House of Representatives voted to override the veto. If that's endorsed by the Senate, which is dominated by Trump's Republican Party, the new measures could come into force in the next few weeks.
Should the Senate override Trump's veto on the defense bill, "the new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 will turn into reality," said Mateusz Kubiak, a senior analyst at Warsaw-based energy consultant Esperis. "It might be just an another factor that will make it more difficult for the Russians to effectively and timely restart works" in the Danish waters in January, Kubiak said. "All of the additional pipe-laying activities will now be sanctioned, including suverying, trenching and rock placement," he said. The U.S. maintains that Nord Stream 2 gives Russia too much leverage over Europe and that American liquefied natural gas supplies are a better alternative. Nord Stream 2 benefits the economies of Germany and Europe since the price of Russian pipeline gas is 20% lower than that of U.S. LNG, according to Putin.
U.S. sanctions can complicate the completion of Nord Stream 2, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters last week. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the state TV channel Rossiya 24 on Monday that the pipeline will be completed because good for European business.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/russia-pushes-ahead-on-gas-link-to-europe-before-u-s-sanctions-1.1542041
8chan/8kun QRB Posts (1)
#139479 at 2022-06-17 15:43:29 (UTC+1)
QRB General #943: When Musk Speaks Twat Edition
Recession "Fears" Spark Oil & Gas Exodus, Energy Exploration Stocks Enter Bear Market
Anxiety over a Fed-induced US recession - as the central bank battles stagflation - have prompted a plunge in prices in the energy complex.
With Atlanta Fed's GDPNOW (KANGZZZ!) model now forecasting a recession has started - and inflation expectations rising - FedSpeak this morning confirmed their hawkish commitment to 'whatever it takes' to slay the inflation dragon, whether that means sparkjng a recession or not...WTI prices fell back below $110, but remain above the Biden SPR plan levels. Wholesale Gasoline prices are down hard this morning also. The SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF dropped 7.2% (entering bear market territory) and is on pace to fall for an eighth day, which would mark its worst string of declines since June 2020. The S&P 500 Energy Index is down 16% this week and on pace for its worst weekly decline since March 2020's COVID lockdowns.
In the short-term, this should be good news for the average joe (and 'big guy' Joe) as wholesale gasoline and oil prices will lead to a drop in retail prices...While demand is expected to grow (as China re-opens), supply remains considerably restrained (and Biden's mulling of export bans are unlikely to help that supply situation), however, all the monetary jawboning this week has refocused traders in the short-term...As the war in Ukraine continues, the focus remains on the extent to which Russian oil flows will be altered. On Friday, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said throughput at the nation's refineries could fall 10% this year.
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/recession-fears-spark-oil-gas-exodus-energy-exploration-stocks-enter-bear-market
They are dropping Energy costs cause it's about all they can do the resuscitate any chance they have in Nov.
BTW KANGZZZ Bostic will change this when it suits the system to not have him be the "bad cop" cause he did the exact same shit last year
8chan/8kun QResearch GERMANY Posts (1)
#15810078 at 2022-03-08 06:27:51 (UTC+1)
Q Research Germany #93: Raus auf die Straßen - Edition
Stellvertretender Ministerpr?sident Russlands Alexander Novak:
- Die Russische F?deration hat aufgrund des Verbots von Nord Stream 2 das Recht, den Gasfluss durch Nord Stream 1 zu spiegeln, tut dies aber nicht.
- Die Ablehnung des russischen ?ls wird zu katastrophalen Folgen f?r den Weltmarkt f?hren und einen Preisanstieg von bis zu 300 USD pro Barrel oder mehr verursachen.
- Russland ist bereit, dass Europa russische Energieressourcen aufgibt, und versteht, wohin die Lieferungen umgeleitet werden m?ssen.
- Russland hat das Kernkraftwerk Zaporozhye nicht angegriffen, das ist Unsinn und L?ge.
- Russland hat Informationen ?ber eine bevorstehende Provokation gegen das Gastransportsystem der Ukraine. Das ist gef?hrlich. RF ist daran nicht interessiert.
Weitere Nachrichten zur Situation in der Ukraine - Main (https://t.me/+MXEEZpVOMDE1MGNi)
endchan qrbunker Posts (1)
#52073 at 2022-10-14 16:29:00 (UTC+1)
QR Bunker General #152: Heating Up In Michigan Edition
Russian Deputy PM: Masterminds of Nord Stream Terror Attacks Plunged Europe Into Energy Poverty
During the Russian Energy Week forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the Nord Stream terror attacks in late September sought to undermine energy security on the continent.
The masterminds of the Nord Stream terror attacks plunged Europe into energy poverty, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.
"As for Europe and its energy security, what happened [to the Nord Stream pipelines] has actually nullified its energy security... That is, the masterminds and perpetrators of these terror attacks simply plunged Europe into energy poverty," Novak told the Russian Energy Week.
Novak's remarks came hours after reports that Sweden, Germany and Denmark had refused to jointly investigate the acts of sabotage at the pipelines, each pledging to investigate the attacks independently. Sweden is said to have pulled out from the joint investigative team, followed by Denmark.
The German interior ministry told a Friday briefing that the federal police "finished establishing the circumstances" of the sabotage at the Nord Stream network, which runs under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
The Russian side, in the meantime, has emphasized that it will not recognize the results of the investigation in the attacks, unless Russian experts are allowed to partake in the probe. If Russian experts are denied access to the ongoing investigation, Moscow will assume that Denmark, Sweden and Germany "have something to hide" or provide a cover-up for the perpetrators, the Russian foreign ministry stated.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that there's no doubt that the incidents at the Nord Stream pipelines were acts of international terrorism.
"There is no doubt that this is an act of international terrorism, the purpose of which is to undermine the energy security of the entire continent," Putin told the Russian Energy Week, adding that some participants in the energy market are trying to undermine the infrastructure of competitors.
Said competitors, Putin said, are "forcing" Europeans to buy energy for a higher price.
"And who is behind the sabotage at Nord Stream? Obviously, those who seek to finally break the ties between Russia and the European Union: those who want to finally undermine and finish off the political sovereignty of Europe, weaken its industrial potential, take over the market," Putin stressed.
Nord Stream pipelines suffered fuel leaks and rapid pressure drop on September 26, with Sweden and Denmark registering explosions in the area. The operator company Nord Stream AG later said that the damage to the pipeline system is unprecedented. Putin stated that it was a deliberate assault on European energy infrastructure, hinting that the US and Britain are responsible for the blasts. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has been investigating the incidents as acts of international terrorism.
https://sputniknews.com/20221014/russian-deputy-pm-masterminds-of-nord-stream-terror-attacks-plunged-europe-into-energy-poverty-1101854823.html