Page 16 - Russia

Vladimir Putin says Russia could adopt US preemptive strike concept

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow could adopt what he described as a US concept of using preemptive military strikes, noting it has the weapons to do the job, in a blunt statement amid rising Russia-NATO tensions over Ukraine. "We are just thinking about it. They weren't shy to openly talk about it during the past years, Putin said, referring to the US policy, as he attended a summit in Kyrgyzstan of a Moscow-dominated economic alliance of ex-Soviet nations. For years, the Kremlin has expressed concern about US efforts to develop the so-called Conventional Prompt Global Strike capability that envisions hitting an adversary's strategic targets with precision-guided conventional weapons anywhere in the world within one hour. Speaking about a disarming strike, maybe it's worth thinking about adopting the ideas developed by our US counterparts, their ideas of ensuring their security, Putin said with a thin smile, noting that such a preemptive strike was intende

IOC to look to allow Russian, Belarus athletes' international participation

"The OCA offered to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions in Asia under its authority, while respecting the sanctions in place"

TotalEnergies walks away from stake in Russian gas producer Novatek

French energy giant TotalEnergies said Friday that it will walk away from its stake in Russian natural gas producer Novatek and take a $3.7 billion loss. TotalEnergies, which has come under criticism for pursuing some of its projects in Russia amid the war in Ukraine, said Western sanctions prevent it from selling its 19.4% stake to the Russian company. It said it was withdrawing its representatives from the Novatek board, who have been abstaining from voting because of sanctions, with immediate effect." As a result, TotalEnergies will no longer account for its ownership interest in Novatek, which will lead it to record an impairment of approximately $3.7 billion in the accounts for the 4th quarter of 2022," the French company said in a statement. In line with its principles of conduct published on March 22, TotalEnergies has gradually started to withdraw from its Russian assets while ensuring that it continues to supply gas to Europe. It comes amid an energy crisis in Europe provo

PM Modi to skip annual summit with Russia's Putin over Ukraine nuke threats

It would mark only the second time the leaders of India and Russia haven't met face to face since 2000, when the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership

Putin says Russia may cut its oil output in response to G-7 price cap

A decision on Moscow's response to EU price cap will be announced in a presidential decree within the next several days, says Putin

US basketball player Griner freed in prisoners' exchange with Russia

Russian citizen Viktor Bout was exchanged for US basketball player Brittney Griner at the Abu Dhabi airport, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced

Russia attacks in east Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin celebrates

Fighting was underway along the entire line of demarcation in the Donetsk region on Thursday, with the frontline town of Avdiivka shelled by Russian tanks on Thursday morning

IMF says low income nations need $500 bn in external financing through 2026

Low-income nations will need nearly $500 bn in external financing during 2022-26 period, IMF said, a rise of about $57 bn from a year-ago estimate due largely to spillovers from Russia-Ukraine war

India faces no immediate impact of oil tanker pileup in Turkey: Officials

Situation could change if jam in Bosphorus Strait continues as a result of sanctions on Russian seaborne crude, they say

A difficult year with worse to follow

There is a lot at stake for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine war, and it could cause a great deal of pain for the world

G-7 price ceiling on Russian oil not low enough to hit Kremlin's revenues

European officials touted the cap - negotiated last week after months of haggling among the US and its allies - as a way to starve Russia's war machine

LTA fined $1 million by ATP over ban of Russian players from summer events

The Lawn Tennis Association was fined $1 million by the ATP men's professional tour on Wednesday for banning players from Russia and Belarus from its grass-court events this summer. The governing body of British tennis banned the players from five Wimbledon warm-up tournaments following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The ATP, which oversees men's tennis outside of the Grand Slams, also warned the LTA it could lose its membership in the organization if it repeats the ban. We stand by our original position on this matter, that unilateral decision-making by members of the ATP Tour threatens our ability to operate as a global sport," the ATP said in a statement. "We believe that the measures taken protect the long-term future of our game and its commitment to merit-based participation, without discrimination, for individual athletes. We have no further comment. The LTA said it deeply disappointed with the tour's action. The ATP, in its finding, has shown no recognition of the exceptio

European Commission proposes additional sanctions on Russia, 9th since war

European Commission has proposed to impose sanctions against 200 additional individuals and entities, including the Russian armed forces

What we have learned three days into the price cap on Russian oil

The unprecedented move by one set of countries to try to impose a price at which another can sell a commodity has drawn confusion among traders, and - from Moscow - a threat of retaliation

Sensible to get best deal in interest of people: Jaishankar on oil imports

The government does not ask Indian companies to buy oil from Russia but it is a sensible policy to get the best deal in the interest of Indian people, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Responding to questions from members in the Upper House, the minister said it is his duty to put the interest of the Indian people first to ensure that they do not pay the cost of some other countries' actions or some other region's actions for fertilizer, food, etc. "We do not ask our companies to buy Russian oil. We ask our companies to buy oil what is the best option that they can get. Now it depends on what the market throws up. "If tomorrow the market gives us more competitive options. Again, please do understand. It's not just that we buy oil from one country. We buy oil from multiple sources, but it is a sensible policy to go where we get the best deal in the interest of the Indian people and that is exactly what we are trying to do," Jaishankar said.

Commerce ministry shares Russia's list of goods for imports with exporters

The commerce ministry has shared with exporters a list of hundreds of goods such as auto parts and textile that Russia has provided to India for imports, an official said. Russia, on which sanctions have been imposed by western countries due to its invasion of Ukraine, has shared a list of hundreds of items from sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles, auto components, and chemicals. "Russia wants to import these goods from India. The list has been shared by the ministry with the concerned export promotion councils and exporters to look into whether they can ship those products to Russia," the official said. According to industry experts, it would not be easy for Indian exporters to ship these goods to Russia as they are facing problems with regard to availability of containers for Russia. "Indian exporters may be in a position to supply these materials but currently the availability of ships and containers for Russia is quite depleted. There are very limited agencies which are

Russian G20 Sherpa praises India for 'women-led development' as priority

Russian G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash lauded India and Indian Sherpa Amitabh Kant for putting 'Women-led development' as one of the group's key priorities.Taking to Twitter, Lukash said, "Grateful to #G20India and @amitabhk87 for putting 'Women-led development' as one of the key priorities of G20. Women are catalysers of positive transformations!"The first G20 Sherpa meeting under India's Presidency kicked off in Udaipur on Tuesday where Lukash said that digital transformation and innovations are key drivers of growth and development. She further said, "Hence proposed by #G20India as cross-cutting topics at all the G20 working tracks."In a series of tweets, Lukash said, "So inspired by meeting with highly professional and charming experts of #G20India Team! G20 is destined to success with their committed hearts and creative minds!""Frank discussions of #G20 Sherpas are key to sustaining the G20 live, efficient & result-oriented," she added.Earlier, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, .

Russia considers oil price floor in response to cap imposed by G7: Report

Moscow is considering either imposing a fixed price for the nation's barrels, or stipulating maximum discounts to international benchmarks at which they can be sold

Fire breaks out at Russia's airport, a day after drone strikes on bases

A fire broke out early Tuesday at an airport in Russia's southern Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, the regional governor reported, blaming a drone attack. The fire occurred the day after Moscow blamed Kyiv for drone strikes on two air bases deep inside Russia and launched another wave of missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. As a result of a drone attack, an oil reservoir caught on fire in the area of Kursk airport. The fire is being contained. All emergency services are working on the spot, Kursk Governor Roman Starovoy said in a Telegram post. Ukrainian officials have not formally confirmed carrying out the attacks. The unprecedented attacks in Russia threatened a major escalation of the nine-month war. One of the airfields that was hit houses bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The attacks showed the vulnerability of some of Russia's most strategic military sites, raising questions about the effectiveness of their air defenses if drones could come so close to ...

Power system functioning despite Russian strikes, says Ukraine PM

Ukraine's power system is functioning and remains intact despite Russia's latest missile attacks on the energy facilities, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said