Kazakhstan and Russia have agreed on plans to build a gas pipeline from Russia through Kazakhstan to China in order to boost Russia's energy sales and help Kazakhstan secure gas supplies for its central, northern, and eastern regions. Although details on the pipeline's construction have not been disclosed, Russia has been in discussions to form a gas union with both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in order to support shipments between the three countries and other energy buyers, including China. This news comes as Russia seeks to build closer trade relations with Asia, and increase sales of natural gas to China, following the decline of the European market which was previously Russia's main supply market for oil and gas.
Georgian Airways to resume direct flights to Russia from May 20
Reuters
23-05-16 13:33
Georgian Airways is to resume direct flights to Russia from 20 May, according to the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency, with flights seven days a week. The resumption has been criticised by the European Union. Georgia has attempted to balance rapprochement with Russia with its aspirations to join the EU, a position hurt by protests in March against a Russian-style bill which remain incompatible with EU membership and was later withdrawn.
Russia has claimed to have destroyed a key US-supplied Patriot air defence system in Ukraine with a hypersonic Kinzhal missile. If verified, the news would come as a costly blow to Ukraine. However, Kiev says that it managed to down all six "unstoppable" Kinzhal missiles fired overnight. The six Kinzhals were among 18 ballistic missiles Russia launched right after its drone and missile volleys this month, which Ukraine has been widely shooting down. It was the first time Ukraine had claimed to have taken down a volley of multiple hypersonic missiles.
China’s military has warned it is ready to “smash” Taiwan's independence, as the US reportedly prepares to accelerate the sale of defensive weapons and other military assistance to the self-governing island. China claims the 23 million-person island as its own territory and is prepared to bring it under its control by force if necessary. While China's actions thus far, including daily air and sea incursions around Taiwan, have had limited effect, analysts have warned of the likelihood of a major conflict involving all three sides and possibly US allies including Japan.
Ukraine says it downed several Russian hypersonic missiles in 'exceptional' attack
CBC
23-05-16 12:45
Ukraine has said it has shot down six Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles in one evening, demonstrating the efficiency of newly deployed western air defences. Russia had previously called Kinzhal missiles practically unstoppable. If confirmed, it would be the first time Ukraine has claimed to have hit a volley of multiple hypersonic missiles. The six missiles were among 18 fired overnight, lighting up Kyiv with flashes and raining debris after they were intercepted. The Kinzhal missile can carry conventional or nuclear warheads up to 2,000km and is Russia's proof of its military hardware as capable of NATO.
Russia has claimed that it successfully took out a US-made Patriot missile system in Kyiv during an attack, which Ukraine has denied. General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, said all 18 projectiles, including six hypersonic Kinzhals and nine Kalibr cruise missiles, had been downed overnight. Despite Moscow's claims that the missile system had been destroyed, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to the Ukrainian defence minister, dismissed them as "pure propaganda and pure lies." The strikes come over a year into Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The effectiveness of international sanctions is being challenged as Russia, China and Iran implement alternative financial systems, which blunts the impact of US policies and allows them to hide questionable behaviour. While the alternative financial system is currently limited, more nations will enter Beijing's orbit as China's economy grows, and the alternatives to the dollar will rise in popularity. It is essential that the US revitalises domestic manufacturing and makes and keeps friends. The US must build a coalition of its own to balance Beijing’s growing anti-American coalition, and to keep the dollar as strong as possible.
The US State Department has condemned the arrest of former US mission employee Robert Shonov on allegations he illegally collaborated with foreigners, calling the claims "without merit". Shonov was employed by the US Consulate General locally in Vladivostok for more than 25 years before Russia ordered the termination of the local staff. He was then employed by a company contracted by the US embassy in Moscow. The US consulate in Vladivostok has been closed since 2020 amid worsening relations between Russia and the US.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said leaders from six African countries will visit Moscow and Kiev in an attempt to end the war in Ukraine. The mission, which includes Zambia, Egypt, Senegal, Uganda and the Republic of Congo, was welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, also backed the initiative, according to Ramaphosa. China's government special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, will make a similar visit to the region this week, as hopes grow that a negotiated settlement can be achieved. The US has recently accused South Africa of providing weapons and ammunition to Russia, putting pressure on the country's stance of neutrality. South Africa also hosted a naval exercise with Russia and China in February.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to create an African delegation of leaders to meet with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. The discussions will aim to discuss a plan to end Ukraine’s 15-month war with proposed talks taking place in Moscow and Kyiv. While the details of the talks and their timing haven’t been released, Ramaphosa stated that Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, and Egypt would make up the delegation along with him. South Africa has claimed to remain neutral on the war and has also maintained relations with the United States.
German exports to countries bordering Russia have surged once again in Q1 2016, carrying concerns that such a rise could help Russians get around sanctions put in place over Moscow's action in Ukraine. The value of German exports to Russia fell by 47% in January to March compared with a year-on-year period, reflecting trade replacements with the European Union and other Western entities. Experts are keen to ascertain how much the increased trade represents sanctioned goods ending up in Russia, sold on by traders from neighbours, with Group of Seven leaders set to strengthen measures against Russia this week.
The register of damages created by a summit of the Council of Europe will record Russia's "harm and destruction" in Ukraine, with the aim of using it for future compensation. The register will hold the tangible costs Russia has demanded from Ukraine over the last 15 months. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky used a video address to the summit to call for more air defence systems and missiles, as the register was launched in The Hague. Zelensky received defence pledges from France, Germany and Britain but is unable to equip Ukraine with advanced fighter aircraft.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak visited Iran to promote greater cooperation in the oil and gas sectors. Novak met with Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji along with visiting several oil manufacturers during his visit. Russia and Iran are both under Western sanctions, and are strengthening ties in order to undermine the sanctions, which they both feel are unjustified. The two countries also discussed the possibility of future cooperation in the areas of electrical and nuclear energy, as well as renewable energy sources.
The European Union (EU) is seeking deeper ties with India amid pressures to reduce economic dependence on China. While Brussels is not looking to cut off ties with Beijing altogether, it intends to diversify its supply chains by reducing its reliance on China. This where India comes into play. During the first meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, the word “de-risk” was mentioned several times by both sides, indicating their shared goal to reduce economic dependence on China. The EU has plans to increase cooperation with India on quantum and high-performance computing while making their digital public services more compatible. "India has a population of 1.4 billion. So, we are an economy of scale, and the EU is an economy of skill — it's natural that these two power centers should come together," according to Swasti Rao, an associate fellow at the Indian government-funded think tank, the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses.
Leaders from six African countries are to hold peace talks in Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict in Ukraine. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin and both men had agreed to host an African-led peace mission. The six countries taking part are South Africa, Uganda, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Zambia and Senegal although there is no timeframe for the talks. The joint Russian-Ukrainian declaration is surprising given recent disruption within the relationship between Russia, South Africa and the US.
Ukrainian officials have claimed that their air defence system intercepted six hypersonic Kinzhal missiles which had been pointed at Kiev, evidence which if confirmed, would suggest the country's ability to shoot down the most advanced weaponry from Russia. Ukraine accused Russia of launching an "exceptional" flurry of missiles and drones at Kiev, but said that it had stopped the Kinzhals. Russia claimed that one missile had hit an American-made Patriot system. This is one of Russia's biggest attacks since March, and Russia's chaotic defence system and lack of resources have failed to improve the country's 15-month war strategies.
China is looking to Central Asia for a new energy partner source to offset growing tensions between it and the US-led West. Leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan join President Xi in China, where the main focus will be the joint projects between the nations aimed at pushing forward cooperation in other areas from the economy to security and politics. Beside abundant reserves of traditional fossil fuels, there is huge untapped hydropower potential in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Piped natural gas from Central Asia to China is traditionally considered to be more secure and cheaper than other countries, especially the US. Central Asia supplied over two-thirds of China's pipeline gas imports in 2017, with the bulk of it coming from Turkmenistan, which has the world's fourth-largest gas reserves after Qatar, Iran and Russia.
A Group of Seven summit is expected to face significant tensions on the issue of nuclear disarmament. Many atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima fear that the summit may be the last time that world leaders will call for disarmament. For those in the West, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reminded them of the important role played by nuclear deterrence. The summit is also expected to discuss ways of curbing nuclear programmes in Iran and North Korea. Barack Obama, the last US President to visit Hiroshima, chose the city as an opportunity to express his hope for a world without nuclear weapons.
The challenge of global financial sanctions, a key tool in US foreign policy, is being intensified by rivals who have created an alternative finance system. China’s economy is growing, and in concert with Russia and Iran it has created a banking system beyond the control of American banks and financial institutions. This allows offending countries and corporations to hide illegal activities from global scrutiny. The Chinese Communist Party is also endorsing an independent currency that would challenge the US dollar. America must revitalise manufacturing and build a coalition beyond its traditional allies.
Bryan Kohberger, a murder suspect accused of killing four US university students, has reportedly received more than two dozen letters from fans while awaiting trial. A former criminology student at Washington State University, he is charged with the fatal stabbings of Kyalee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The suspect has not entered a plea, although an unnamed employee at the Latah County Jail, where Kohberger is being held, told The Messenger that he said he was keen to clear his name when asked via public defender.
