Sergei Blagov

Prior to working as Moscow-based independent researcher and journalist, Dr. Sergei Blagov was a newswire reporter. He spent nearly seven years reporting from Hanoi, Vietnam, between 1983 and 1997.

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Articles by Sergei Blagov

Moscow Approves New Funding to Develop Far Eastern Regions

The Russian federal government approved a series of blueprints to develop the country’s Far Eastern regions, as well as new tax incentives. These programs included promises of unprecedented financial inflows

Russia, China Pledge Stronger Economic and Security Partnership

During the new Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow, both sides pledged to develop not only energy and trade partnerships, but their defense ties as well. The renewed

Russia Seeks Closer Energy Partnership with China

On February 25, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich traveled to China to attend a first meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on energy cooperation. The commission was formed in

Russia Eyes Efficient Management of State-Controlled Assets

The Russian government pledged to manage $3.3 trillion worth of its state-controlled assets more efficiently, including through the continued privatization of state-owned companies. However, the authorities have to prove that

Russia Eyes Stronger Economic Engagement with Central Asia

Russian authorities reiterated, on January 22, pledges of increased economic engagement with Central Asia. The foreign ministry advocated plans to develop economic and trade ties with the region, while other

Russia Seeks Stronger Security Ties with China

Russia has repeatedly pledged to boost strategic security cooperation with China. In the past, both sides preferred only to make verbal statements on the matter. But now Moscow and Beijing

Russia Sees Sakhalin-Japan Energy Projects as Bargaining Tool

Russia’s gas monopoly, Gazprom, has apparently ruled out the possibility of building a subsea Sakhalin-Japan natural gas pipeline. However, the continuation of talks on this ambitious project is thought to

Russia Eyes New Far Eastern Gas Export Hub, Reassesses Central Asia

The Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom outlined ambitious and costly plans to develop new production and exports hubs in the country’s Far East. Meanwhile, the gas giant has also apparently

Russia Mulls Tax Breaks to Encourage Far Eastern Development

The Russian federal government pledged to expedite development of the country’s Far Eastern regions by offering new tax incentives to local businesses and investors. In the meantime, the regional authorities

Russia Struggles to Lure Tajikistan into the Customs Union

Russian officials reiterated pledges to boost economic cooperation with Tajikistan. Meanwhile, the authorities in Dushanbe seemed to remain hesitant on some issues, notably the country’s possible membership in the Russian-led

CIS Nations Eye Free Trade Zone in 2013

The latest top-level meeting of the oldest post-Soviet grouping, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), pledged to enact their free trade arrangements next year. However, the CIS free trade zone

Increased Trade Between Russia and Kazakhstan Slow to Materialize

Russian and Kazakhstani leaders have reiterated plans to further develop bilateral commerce, relying on the free trade arrangements of their Customs Union. Two-way trade, however, has appeared to advance slower

Russia’s Far East Moves Toward Hosting APEC Summit

Russia’s Primorie region in the country’s Far East moved to finalize the construction of high-profile projects, designed to prepare for the upcoming APEC summit meeting next month in Vladivostok. However,

Russia, Kazakhstan Keep Focusing on Multilateral Cooperation

Russian and Kazakhstani leaders indicated plans to prioritize multilateral economic ties within the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space (CES). Meanwhile, some of their planned bilateral projects appear to

Russia Seeks Lesser Dependence on Oil Prices

Russia pledged to limit its over-reliance on crude oil prices. However, the economic model of Russia’s oil and gas sector still seems destined to remain largely export-oriented, including the government’s

CIS, CSTO Eye Increased Cooperation Despite Divisions

The latest top-level meetings of post-Soviet regional groupings, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), pledged to intensify joint efforts to counter security and

Russia Seeks Increased Trade with China

Russia has repeatedly pledged to expand trade with China, the Kremlin apparently continuing to view the commercial ties as an important indicator of what was officially described as a “bilateral

Russia Struggles to Sustain Ties with Kyrgyzstan

As the Kremlin was preoccupied with the presidential transition, relations between Russia and its Central Asian ally Kyrgyzstan unexpectedly became shaky. When Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev traveled to Russia last

Russian Gas Export Plans Face Reality Check

Russia’s natural gas monopoly Gazprom has repeatedly pledged to increase natural gas production and exports. However, the gas giant appears to face an uncertain export future as its credibility in

CSTO Faces Continued Divisions

Despite continued pledges to counter security challenges in Central Asia, the Russian-led security alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), appears to face constant disagreements between member nations. The CSTO,

Caspian Legal Settlement Remains Elusive

The Caspian nations have reiterated earlier promises to seek a consensus-based settlement, but they apparently failed to resolve their differences. As a result, the Caspian summit previously scheduled in Moscow,

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Considers Expansion

The heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have reiterated earlier promises to enlarge the grouping. Thus, the organization (currently including Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan)

Russia and Kazakhstan Prioritize Multilateral Cooperation

In an apparent departure from earlier promises to develop their bilateral energy partnership, Russian and Kazakh leaders plan to re-focus on multilateral cooperation within the Customs Union and the Common

Russia Claims Settlement of Energy Pricing Disputes With China

Moscow claims to have resolved energy-related pricing disagreements with Beijing and has promised to increase bilateral trade. The official visit by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to China on October

Moscow Considers North Korean Debt Write-Off

As Moscow reiterated its promises to write-off much of Pyongyang’s Soviet-era debt, Russia once again tried to offer Kim Jong-Il some economic carrots in an apparent bid to play a

Post-Soviet Groupings Face Security Challenges

The latest summit meeting of the major post-Soviet grouping pledged to intensify efforts to counter security challenges. However, this and other top-level gatherings of former Soviet states highlight increasing disagreements

Russia Considers Continued Privatization

The Russian government plans to privatize a number of its state-owned companies, focusing on the energy and commodity sectors. However, the cabinet faces a challenging task to prove that the

Russia Seeks Refinery Sector Modernization

The Russian authorities have repeatedly pledged to modernize the country’s oil sector, including its refinery facilities. However, many Russian oil companies appear reluctant to increase investment in the modernization of

Moscow Sets Out Ambitious Asian Policy Goals

The Russian government has reiterated its pledges to spend billions of rubles in government funding to speed up the development of the country’s Far East in a bid to create

Russia Seeks to Increase Energy Supplies to China

Moscow has indicated its interest in increasing trade with China but a major bilateral gas deal remained elusive. During talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, in Moscow on June

Russia Seeks to Increase Energy Supplies to China

Moscow has indicated its interest in increasing trade with China, but a major bilateral gas deal remained elusive. During talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, in Moscow on June

Russia’s Drive to Form Global Energy Partnerships Hits a Bumpy Road

Russia’s efforts to ameliorate its energy sector by pursuing international partnerships suffered a sensitive setback as a planned mega-deal ended in an apparent failure.Plans of Russia’s largest oil firm Rosneft

The CSTO Seeks Stronger Security Arrangements

The Russian-led security alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, has pledged to face security challenges in Central Asia by

Littoral States Struggle to Agree on the Caspian Settlement

The Caspian nations have reiterated pledges to solve their differences later this year ahead of the Caspian summit in Moscow, but they apparently continued to disagree on a number of

Russia Prioritizes Increased Energy Supplies To China

Russia has pledged to expand its trade with China but commercial ties between the two nations remains focused on energy. During his trip to China for the BRICS summit (Brazil,

Russia Struggles to Forge Global Energy Partnerships

Russia’s plans to modernize its oil production sector by pursuing international energy partnerships has been dealt a blow as a major deal became mired in legal disputes. Plans by Russia’s

Russia and Kazakhstan Boost Bilateral Trade and Energy

The leadership of both Russia and Kazakhstan has announced plans to further develop their energy partnership. However, the two former Soviet allies remain slow to finalize some of their energy

Russia’s Economic Relations With Japan Faces Continued Uncertainty

Russian officials pledged to assist neighboring Japan, hit by an unprecedented series of disasters, but in recent months, Moscow has struggled to forge stronger economic ties with Japan. On March

Russia Seeks to Sustain its Crude Oil Output

Moscow has pledged to sustain its crude oil production at high levels and increase exports. However, the economic model of the Russian oil sector still seems to remain largely export-oriented,

Moscow Aims for Caspian Settlement in 2011

The Caspian littoral states have pledged to resolve their differences in 2011, but they still appear to remain divided on a variety of sensitive issues. Caspian summits will become an

Russia Struggles to Develop New Joint Ventures with Mongolia

The Kremlin has repeatedly pledged to implement sizable infrastructure development projects in Mongolia. However, new Russian projects in this neighboring state have tended to be slow to materialize. In an

Russia Considers Increased Gas Production

Moscow has reiterated its pledges to develop the Russian natural gas sector and significantly increase domestic production and exports. However, it remains to be seen whether Russia will be able

China Secures Trade Surplus With Russia

Russia has sought to expand its trade with China in an apparent bid to prop up what was officially denoted as the strategic partnership between the two nations. Meanwhile, as

Russia Plans Increased Energy Exports

Senior Russian officials have made clear that the country’s energy policies will continue to evolve around the nexus of ambitious export plans. The government pledged to make the country’s gas

Moscow Ponders BP’s Assets

Russian authorities have voiced their support for the country’s state-run energy giants in their possible bids to take over BP’s holdings in Russia. The maneuverings came as yet another sign

Russia Boosts Far Eastern Security

As Russia remains keen to protect its eastern frontiers, the country’s Far East Military District (MD) hosted major war-games. The drill was also aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the

Russia Plans Far Eastern Energy Drive

Russian officials have reiterated pledges to pursue pro-active Far Eastern energy policies, backed by sizable investments. Moscow would invest up to $100 billion to develop new natural gas deposits in

Russia, CSTO, SCO Struggle to Settle Kyrgyz Unrest

The Russian authorities, Russian-led security grouping, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) made repeated pledges to tackle the Kyrgyz crisis. However, agreement on any

Russia Struggles to Settle Kyrgyz Unrest

As Russia hosted the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Commonwealth (EEC) meetings of heads of governments, the gathering appeared to be overshadowed by the continued instability

Russia Pursues Post-Soviet Integration

In yet another bid to strengthen cooperation with the “near abroad,” Moscow has hosted informal summit meetings of the major post-Soviet groupings. However, the gatherings also served to highlight continued

Russia Moves to Strengthen Ties with Uzbekistan

As the Kremlin intensified its efforts to develop relations with Uzbekistan, the leadership of the most populous nation in Central Asia appears to remain non-committal. Following talks in Moscow, Russian

Caspian Littoral States Struggle to Forge Settlement

Russia has opted to support disarmament in the strategically important Caspian region, which is known to hold vast oil and gas resources. However, negotiations on the Caspian settlement continue as

Russia and Kazakhstan Consider Reviving Bilateral Trade

Moscow and Astana have reiterated their earlier pledges to boost bilateral economic and energy partnership. However, the two former Soviet states have proved slow to complete existing energy projects, while

Russia’s Energy Development Drive Slows Down

Against the background of difficult international energy market conditions Russian companies have become less interested in finding new oil and gas fields and developing existing deposits. Notably, the country’s gas

Russia Secures Trade Surplus With China

Russia has repeatedly pledged to expand its trade with China, as the Kremlin appeared to view these commercial ties as an important indicator of what was officially described as the

Russia’s Partnership With Belarus Hits Turbulence

Russian relations with its closest ally, Belarus, have reached a new low following a renewed dispute over energy prices and supply terms. The escalating disagreements over Russian oil supplies to

Russia Mends Energy Ties with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan

Moscow has moved to revive its gas partnership with Turkmenistan and started unprecedented gas imports from Azerbaijan. However, Russia now faces Iranian competition in its gas dealings with both Caspian

Russia Struggles to Revive Energy Ties With Turkmenistan

Russian officials insist that the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline project is not a matter of Moscow’s concern. However, Moscow has been struggling to sustain its earlier gas agreements with Ashgabat. The

Russia Seeks to Sustain its Energy Security

Moscow has reiterated pledges to improve Russian energy security by promising sizable investments to develop its hydrocarbon sector and power supply networks. However, the economic viability of such solutions appears

Gazprom Seeks “Equal Profitability,” Reluctant to Face Domestic Competition

Russia’s relatively low domestic gas prices have been seen as encouraging high consumption rates and hindering investments in gas production. The country’s gas monopoly Gazprom has long complained about unprofitable

Russia and China Clinch Gas Supply Deal

Moscow and Beijing claim that their long-awaited gas supply deal is proof of what they describe as their bilateral strategic partnership, but the Russian and Chinese state-controlled energy giants apparently

Russia and Kazakhstan Pursue Energy Partnership

Russia and Kazakhstan's leadership have reiterated pledges to boost their bilateral economic and energy partnership. However, they remain divided over some divergent interests, notably in gas processing and oil transit.

Gazprom Seeks Far Eastern Gas Riches

The state-run natural gas monopoly Gazprom has moved to control natural gas resources in Russia's vast eastern regions by taking over new gas deposits and building new gas pipelines. In

Russia Seeks to Boost Ties with Tajikistan

Russian officials have reiterated their continued interest in deepening bilateral cooperation with Tajikistan, while the authorities in Dushanbe appeared to remain hesitant on some issues. On July 31 the Russian

Gazprom’s Investment Strategy Runs out of Steam

Russian state-run gas giant Gazprom has cut its investment program in response to the difficulties it faces in the current economic downturn. These cost-saving measures contrasted sharply with Gazprom's pledge

Medvedev Aims to Squeeze the Dollar in Partnership with China

Moscow and Beijing have hailed what they describe as a bilateral strategic partnership, but Russian and Chinese state-run energy companies struggle to agree to a compromise on energy prices. Both

Russia Seeks Stronger Ties with the Arab World

The Russian government has pledged to revive its economic ties with Arab nations. However, Moscow's relations with the Arab world now hardly sound reminiscent of the Soviet-era alliance, as the

Russia Struggles to Sustain Alliance with Belarus

Russia's relationship with its former closest ally, Belarus, has reached a new low point following a bitter dispute. Moscow has apparently struggled to remain on good terms with Belarusian President

Russia Promotes Joint Ventures with Mongolia

The Kremlin has reiterated its pledges to implement sizable infrastructure development projects in Mongolia in an attempt to boost bilateral economic ties. On ?May 13, the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir

Russia and Japan Agree to Nuclear Fuel Deal

Despite optimistic official pronouncements, Russia appears to be struggling to secure any significant economic commitments from Tokyo to develop energy projects including the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) oil pipeline. Meanwhile,

Moscow Strengthening its Energy Ties with China

On April 21, Beijing and Moscow finalized an intergovernmental deal under which Russia will supply China with oil for 20 years in exchange for a $25 billion loan to Russia's

Russia Eyes Iraqi Energy Sector

As Russia recently pledged to develop ties with Iraq, the Kremlin voiced hopes to secure a larger role in Iraqi energy sector. Following the April 10 meetings in Moscow between

Russia Resumes Electricity Exports to China

Russia's electricity suppliers have moved to resume exports from the country's Far East to China amid declining domestic demand. Russia's energy executives have announced that the region's major electricity exporter,

Alternative Gas Suppliers Face Overproduction in Russia

Russia's independent natural gas producers (IGPs) account for a growing share of domestic output, but they are now facing turbulent times amid the global financial crisis and the subsequent domestic

Russia’s New Energy Doctrine

The Kremlin articulated some details of its new assertive energy strategy, following the inauguration of a major energy project on the Pacific island of Sakhalin and a significant energy deal

Russia Pledges to Rescue Post-Soviet Economies

Russia has pledged to finance a rescue fund to bail out its allies within the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC), as those former Soviet states now face an increasingly adverse economic

Moscow Eyes Stronger Partnership with Tashkent

Despite some recent setbacks, the Kremlin has intensified efforts to expand its relations with Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous nation. Following talks in Tashkent, Uzbek President Islom Karimov praised the

Russia’s Eastern Siberian Oil Pipeline Becomes More Expensive

Russian officials have insisted that the construction of the Eastern Siberia Pacific Oil Pipeline (ESPO) remains on track despite growing costs, crisis-related concerns, and doubts about the project's economic viability

The Kremlin Defends Its Energy Interests

Russia moved to support the 2 million barrel a day cut in oil production by OPEC by reducing its own oil exports. The country's oil companies and energy projects appear,

Russia’s Gazprom Eyes Governmental Support

Russia's Gazprom Eyes Governmental Support Despite the current economic climate, the state-run gas monopoly Gazprom has pledged to move ahead with its ambitious development program, but it now appears that

RUSSIA, CHINA ESTABLISH STRONGER ECONOMIC TIES

Leaders of Russia and China hailed what they described as a bilateral strategic partnership, while the countries’ state-run energy giants are struggling to work out a compromise on energy prices.

RUSSIA SEES EASTERN PIPELINE AS A “MAJOR VICTORY”

The Kremlin has moved to expedite construction of the Eastern Siberia Pacific Oil Pipeline (ESPO), as a project considered of the utmost importance in terms of the domestic economy and

MOSCOW PLEDGES PROACTIVE KOREAN POLICY

Russia and South Korea pledged to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership and to strengthen energy ties, but the latest spate of optimistic official pronouncements came as a reminder

RUSSIA FAVORS STRONGER REGULATION TO TACKLE MARKET VOLATILITY

The Kremlin moved to employ strong regulatory methods to deal with this month's market turmoil. Russian officials have also tended to cite spreading fallout from the American credit crisis as

RUSSIA EYES “TRANSIT SUPERPOWER” STATUS

Despite continuing disagreements with the West, Russia's top officials have pledged to turn the Eurasian nation into a "transit superpower" to link Europe and Asia by developing transcontinental railways and

RUSSIA PURSUES ENERGY PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA

The Kremlin has dispatched Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin to China in order to boost bilateral energy ties. Sechin reportedly reassured Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that Russia was ready to

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS AND MEDIA HAIL DEAL CEDING ISLANDS TO CHINA

Russia moved to finalize its border arrangements with China in an apparent bid to prop up its bilateral “strategic partnership.” On July 21, Russia and China signed an agreement that

ROSNEFT SEEKS STRONGER CHINESE CONNECTION

Russia's state-run oil company Rosneft pledged to move ahead with its plans to invest in China. The company conceded, however, that it had struggled to reach an agreement with the

THE KREMLIN PROMOTES EASTERN PIPELINE PROJECT

The Kremlin is giving its strong support to the construction of the Eastern Siberia Pacific Oil Pipeline (ESPO), apparently viewing it as an important economic and foreign policy tool. The

MOSCOW WANTS TO STRENGTHEN CIS AND OTHER POST-SOVIET GROUPS

Russia pushed for stronger ties among members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), while promoting integration with its closer allies, members of the Eurasian Economic Commonwealth (EEC) and the

GAZPROM MONOPOLY WILL CONTINUE TO FAVOR DOMESTIC MARKET

The state-run monopoly gas Gazprom, which aspires to become the world's largest company, has pledged to give priority to the domestic market. Relying on the government's support, it has been

RUSSIA AND CHINA: UNITED BY FOREIGN POLICY, DIVIDED BY ENERGY PRICES

The Kremlin has repeatedly pledged to forge what it calls a "strategic partnership" with China, and President Dmitry Medvedev came to the Chinese capital to reiterate these pledges. But while

RUSSIA’S ROSNEFT CLAIMS MARKET LEADERSHIP

Russia's state-run oil company Rosneft pledged to maintain its self-proclaimed role of market leader. It now appears that the company's acquisition-based model of expansion will be put to the test.

WILL RUSSIA BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN ITS OIL PRODUCTION AT CURRENT LEVELS?

In his inaugural remarks, the new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that the country had sufficient resources to pursue its dynamic economic development. This optimistic statement came, however, against a

RUSSIA MULLS STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WITH UZBEKISTAN

The Kremlin has moved to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous nation, through the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as well as major energy projects. CSTO Secretary

RUSSIA STRUGGLES TO ENCOURAGE JAPANESE INVESTMENTS

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has made his first trip to Russia since his election last September. Despite optimistic official pronouncements, Russia appears to be struggling to secure any significant

MOSCOW SEEKS TO ENGAGE MONGOLIA ECONOMICALLY

Moscow has renewed efforts to prop up economic ties with its closest Cold War era ally, Mongolia. The two neighboring nations appear, however, to remain divided by a variety of

RUSSIA FACES DELAYS IN FAR EASTERN PIPELINE

The Kremlin apparently viewed the Eastern Siberia Pacific Oil Pipeline (ESPO) as a major vehicle to promote faster growth of Russia's Far Eastern regions. However, the major energy project appears

GAZPROM EXPANDS STATE GRIP ON ENERGY ASSETS

As Russia's gas giant Gazprom moved closer to acquisition of the giant Kovykta gas field in Eastern Siberia's Irkutsk region, the deal was seen as yet another sign of the

RUSSIA’S GAZPROMNEFT PLANS CRUDE OUTPUT HIKE

Russia's state-run oil firm, GazpromNeft, has disclosed ambitious plans to hike its oil production level, which would require taking over new assets. In its drive toward becoming the country's leading

UZBEKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN EYE STRONGER PARTNERSHIP BASED ON ENERGY NEEDS

On March 10-11, Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov visited Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous country, where he was greeted by Uzbek President Islam Karimov. The visit was intended to further develop

INVESTORS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON NEW SEVSIB RAILWAY

Russian officials have disclosed plans for yet another ambitious railway scheme, the North Siberian Railway or SevSib, apparently patterned after the Trans-Siberian Railway (TransSib). But the announcement provided yet another

RUSSIA’S ROSNEFT EYES EAST SIBERIAN EXPANSION

Rosneft, Russia's state-run petroleum firm, has promised multi-billion dollar investments to increase its crude oil production in Eastern Siberia. However, the economic viability of Rosneft's plan remains a matter of

MEDVEDEV EYES FAR EASTERN REVIVAL

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's leading presidential candidate, believes the social and economic problems of the Russian Far East can be solved eventually, as the government currently has sufficient financial resources. Touring

KREMLIN EFFORT TO EXPAND COMMERCIAL TIES WITH CHINA BACKFIRES

Last year Russia and China recorded an unprecedented increase in bilateral trade. In 2007, Russia’s trade with China reached $48.16 billion, up 44.3% over 2006, according to Russian statistics. This

MOSCOW SIGNS SERIES OF AGREEMENTS WITHIN EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK

On January 25, the prime ministers of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan signed nine trade agreements. These addressed export customs duties, unified customs and tariff regulations, unified rules to determine the

RUSSIA PURSUES POLITICAL, ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT WITH UZBEKISTAN

As Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov was formally inaugurated for another term as the country’s leader on January 16, his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, lost little time extending his congratulations. "Your

KREMLIN-BACKED SECURITY GROUPING EXERTS GREATER ROLE IN EURASIA

On January 11, Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha announced an initiative to convene a top-level meeting of regional organizations operating in Central Eurasia, including the Commonwealth

RUSSIA STRUGGLES TO SUPPLY POWER TO DOMESTIC CONSUMERS

Distracted by the country's longest festive season, Russia has faced a series of power outages in early January, including in areas where temperatures plummet to extreme lows. The accidents came

RUSSIA’S FAR EASTERN WORKERS WARY OF CHINESE MIGRANTS

The Russian government has urged accelerated development of the country's Far East and pledged sizable investments for regions bordering China and the Pacific. However, some executives of Russia's state-controlled enterprises

RUSSIA MULLS BAIKAL-AMUR RAILWAY UPGRADE, IN LIGHT OF ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES

Russia has unveiled a sizable investment program to improve the Baikal-Amur Railway line (BAM), which was originally designed to become an alternative route to the Trans-Siberian Railway. However, after years

RUSSIAN REGULATORS BECOMING AWARE OF BAIKAL ENVIRONMENTAL WOES

This week Russian regulators suddenly moved to crack down on the factory poisoning Lake Baikal, the world’s largest reservoir of fresh surface water. On December 4 Russian Natural Resources Minister

RUSSIA SEEKS TO REVIVE ITS ENERGY PROJECTS IN TAJIKISTAN

Russian officials recently reiterated their continued interest in a major energy project in Tajikistan, while authorities in Dushanbe remain hesitant. Meanwhile, a sizable Tajik labor migrant community has become a

MOSCOW CONCEDES NEED FOR MAJOR TRANSIT INVESTMENT

At the State Council's November 13 meeting in Krasnoyarsk, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that transportation infrastructure is strategically important for the country's economic growth. He conceded that the bulk

RUSSIA STRUGGLES TO SUSTAIN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIA

During Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s November 11-12 visit to Moscow, Russia and India signed agreements on space cooperation -- including a possible joint lunar program -- rupee debt investment,

YUSHCHENKO WANTS TRANSPARENT ENERGY DEALS WITH MOSCOW

Russia’s top officials are loudly complaining about Kyiv’s tactics in a bitter dispute over Ukraine’s Kremenchug refinery, pledging to defend the interests of the Russian shareholders there. The incident is

RUSSIA STRUGGLES TO FINALIZE CASPIAN GAS PIPELINE DEAL WITH TURKMENISTAN

On October 26, Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov and Gazprom deputy CEO Valery Golubev were reportedly in discussions about what the Turkmen presidential press service described as “issues of drafting inter-governmental

RUSSIA PUSHES OIL COMPANIES TO FIND MORE OIL IN EASTERN SIBERIA

On October 19 Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev reported to President Vladimir Putin on the progress of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline and pledged to crack down on

RUSSIA PLEDGES ECONOMIC AID, MAY GET STAKE IN KYRGYZ DEFENSE INDUSTRY

Russian officials have announced plans to strengthen economic relations with Kyrgyzstan. Speaking at an October 12 session of the intergovernmental Russian-Kyrgyz Commission for Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation, Russian atomic

ROSNEFT SKEPTICAL ABOUT VIABILITY OF SAKHALIN-5

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his advisors to draft a detailed plan to develop Sakhalin Island’s infrastructure in the wake of a major earthquake there earlier this year. The

MOSCOW CONSIDERS ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES AGAINST CHINA

Moscow is facing an increasing deficit in bilateral trade with China. Russian industries have found themselves hard-pressed by Chinese competition, and business leaders are calling for the introduction of anti-dumping

MOSCOW PROMISES HUGE FUNDS TO DEVELOP FAR EAST, BUT EXISTING PROJECTS SLOW TO MATERIALIZE

The Russian government plans to allocate up to 600 billion rubles ($23.6 billion) to fund development projects in Eastern Siberia and Far East by 2013, Kamil Iskhakov, presidential envoy in

RUSSIA’S FAR EASTERN REGIONAL LEADERS HAIL ASIA-PACIFIC INTEGRATION

Regional leaders in the Russian Far East want to speed development of the country’s remotest regions in a bid to strengthen the Asia-Pacific dimension of Russia’s external economic ties. Notably,

RUSSIA STRUGGLES TO SETTLE ENVIRONMENTAL DIFFERENCES WITH CHINA

Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev traveled to China August 31-September 4, but apparently failed to convince Chinese officials to conclude a treaty on the protection of trans-border rivers, which

RUSSIAN EXPERTS DIVIDED OVER CLAIMS TO ARCTIC CONTINENTAL SHELF

As Russia staked a high-profile claim to the seabed under the Arctic Ocean, the country’s experts remain divided over the venture’s relevance. The liberal Nezavisimaya gazeta newspaper cited experts as

Arms, Energy and Commerce in Sino-Russian Relations

Having moved beyond their antagonistic Cold War relationship, Russia and China are now seeking to develop a strategic partnership. In addition to Russia's substantial arms sales to China and the

Arms, Energy and Commerce in Sino-Russian Relations

Having moved beyond their antagonistic Cold War relationship, Russia and China are now seeking to develop a strategic partnership. In addition to Russia's substantial arms sales to China and the

RUSSIA TIGHTENS CONTROL OVER SAKHALIN-1 OUTPUT

On August 2, during a meeting of a special government commission, the Russian government formally notified Sakhalin-1 consortium stakeholders that they should prioritize the domestic delivery of all natural gas

RUSSIA’S GAS PIPELINE NETWORK FACES REALITY CHECK

In recent weeks Russia has announced a number of high-profile export-oriented gas pipeline projects, notably the Europe-bound Nord Stream and South Stream, the China-bound Altai route, and the Caspian pipeline

POST-SOVIET RAILWAYS LACK FUNDS FOR AMBITIOUS PROJECTS

Post-Soviet railway problems made headlines when Ukraine announced a hazardous materials emergency after a train carrying toxic chemicals crashed on July 16 in the country's Western Lviv region (see EDM,

RUSSIA PRODS CHINA TO PAY FOR SIBERIAN PIPELINE

On July 13 the foreign ministers of Russia and China met in Moscow to discuss bilateral ties, including energy issues. After the meeting Russia's top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, noted a

RUSSIA’S GIANT BUREISKAYA HYDROPOWER PLANT NEARS COMPLETION

On July 5 Russia’s Unified Energy Systems (UES) launched the fifth power-generating unit of its flagship project in the Far East, the Bureiskaya plant, in Talakan, Amur region. The plant’s

MOSCOW SEEKS TO RAISE GRAIN EXPORTS AND REDUCE EU AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES

Russia has proposed launching a dialogue with major grain producers and exporters about creating an organization to coordinate global grain production and trade, a sort of "grain OPEC." The international

MOSCOW CONSIDERS ENORMOUS INVESTMENT IN EASTERN RUSSIA’S GAS SECTOR

At a meeting on June 15, the Russian government discussed a draft " Program to Develop a Unified System of Gas Production, Transportation, and Supply in Eastern Siberia and the

RUSSIA CONSIDERS INCREASING COAL USE TO FACILITATE GAS EXPORTS

A series of deadly incidents has dealt Russia's coal industry a serious blow, as the sector's safety standards apparently remain low. Nonetheless, the Russian government is still considering long-range plans

TNK-BP KEEPS KOVYKTA LICENSE, FOR NOW

Throughout this year, Russian regulators have targeted the Kovykta gas development project, officially for failing to fulfill production quotas. However, the regulatory pressure was understood to be aimed at putting

CSTO SEEKS WAYS TO BETTER SECURE CENTRAL ASIA

General Nikolai Bordyuzha, general secretary of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), visited Bishkek May 21-23 to discuss CSTO plans for the second half of this year and the first

KAZAKHSTAN BALANCES RUSSIAN GAS DEAL WITH HOMEGROWN PROJECTS

As Kazakhstan agreed on a joint venture with Russia to process gas from the Karachaganak field at Gazprom's Orenburg gas-processing plant, the deal will allow Astana to avoid spending billions

RUSSIA’S IRKUTSK REGION SEEKS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Despite its abundant natural resources, the Irkutsk region of Siberia has struggled to capitalize on its significant economic potential, mainly because it has been hampered by inadequate investment, Prime Minister

ROSNEFT WINS KEY YUKOS ASSETS IN EASTERN SIBERIA

Russia’s state-run Rosneft energy company has snagged key Yukos assets in Siberia, enabling the company to overtake the privately owned Lukoil in terms of oil production capacity and become Russia's

RUSSIA PRESSES FOR MORE CASPIAN COOPERATION WITH TURKMENISTAN

At a summit meeting in the Kremlin on April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to press his Turkmen counterpart on a variety of issues, notably Caspian energy. But during

RUSSIA’S AMBITIOUS RAILWAY VISION FOR EASTERN SIBERIA FACES REALITY CHECK

Russia has announced an extraordinary project to build a transcontinental Yakutsk-Magadan-Anadyr-Alaska rail link, which would include the world's longest subsea tunnel under the Bering Strait. However, the news comes as

INDEPENDENT RUSSIAN GAS PRODUCER INCREASES COOPERATION WITH GAZPROM

Novatek, Russia's second-largest natural gas producer, has long been seen as the country's major independent gas player. However, earlier this month Novatek took another step toward further cooperation with state-controlled

RUSSIA DETAILS PLANS TO DEVELOP REMOTE FAR EASTERN REGIONS

On April 5 the Russian government disclosed the details of its pledge to spend billions in government funding to speed up development of the country's Far East. In response, local

RUSSIA AND KAZAKHSTAN PURSUE ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

During a visit to Kazakhstan on March 30, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and Kazakh officials signed a protocol to keep Kazakh crude oil shipments flowing via the Atyrau-Samara pipeline

MOSCOW AND PYONGYANG STRUGGLE TO AGREE ON DEBT WRITE-OFF

During rare talks in Moscow on March 23, Russia fell short of delivering on its earlier pledges to forgive Pyongyang much of its Soviet-era debt. The debt write-off was viewed

FRADKOV SUGGESTS ADDING PARALLEL GAS LINE FROM SIBERIA TO PACIFIC

On March 13, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov voiced support for the idea to build a gas pipeline alongside the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) oil pipeline. "I regard it positively," Fradkov

ITERA SUGGESTS REVIVING ZARIT CONSORTIUM FOR CASPIAN EXPLORATION

On March 7 Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov met Igor Makarov, the CEO of Russian gas trader Itera. During the meeting Makarov reiterated Itera's interest in expanded cooperation with Turkmenistan. He

RUSSIAN ECONOMIC TIES WITH UZBEKISTAN HIT TURBULENCE

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov traveled to Tashkent on March 7 in a bid to prop up the Russia-Uzbek economic partnership, but the trip also served to highlight unresolved economic

RUSSIA WEIGHS AMBITIOUS PLANS TO DEVELOP FAR EAST

Moscow may spend trillions of rubles to develop the Russian Far East. While visiting Vladivostok on March 1, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said it was too early to announce more

KREMLIN MOVES TO REPAIR DAMAGED INTERNATIONAL IMAGE

Russian officials have strongly endorsed efforts to improve the country's tarnished international reputation. On February 21, Oleg Morozov, first deputy speaker of the State Duma, declared, "A negative image of

MOSCOW-BEIJING-NEW DELHI AXIS MOVES IN SLOW MOTION

On Wednesday, February 14, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Chinese and Indian counterparts Li Zhaoxing and Natwar Singh in New Delhi, where the three countries pledged to

RUSSIA DEVELOPS ELECTRICITY, OIL PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA

On Friday, February 9, the board of Unified Energy System, Russia’s power grid operator, approved a blueprint for large-scale electricity exports to China. UES is reportedly planning to increase electricity

PUTIN HOPES HOSTING APEC SUMMIT WILL SPUR DEVELOPMENT AROUND VLADIVOSTOK

The Kremlin has pledged to spend nearly $4 billion in government funding to boost economic growth of Primor region in the Far East, which borders China and the Pacific. The

GAZPROM DETERMINED TO CONTROL MAJOR SHELF PROJECTS

On Thursday, January 25, Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev urged the government to make it tougher for foreign investors to access the mineral resources of the Russian continental shelf.

RUSSIA MULLS NORTH KOREAN DEBT WRITE-OFF

As Moscow hinted at plans to forgive Pyongyang much of its Soviet-era debt, Russia's willingness to offer Kim Jong-Il some economic carrots may indicate the Kremlin's intention to play a

MOSCOW INTRODUCES NEW ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR OIL DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN SIBERIA

As Transneft, Russia's crude oil pipeline monopoly, rushes to build the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline, Moscow has introduced additional economic incentives for oil companies to boost crude output and develop

RUSSIA’S SAKHALIN-2 PROJECT REMAINS UNDER PRESSURE

Russian officials have made little secret of their unhappiness over the terms of existing production sharing agreements, notably Sakhalin-2. Russia refuses to foot the Sakhalin-2 cost overruns, according to Russian

MONGOL PRESIDENT PAYS UNEVENTFUL VISIT TO MOSCOW

While visiting Russia from December 4 to December 10, Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar reiterated pledges to strengthen economic ties with Moscow. However, similar official pronouncements in the past have so

RUSSIA SEES SCO AS POTENTIAL ENERGY CARTEL

Facing mounting Western accusations of aggressive behavior in the energy sector, Moscow is turning eastward in search of more friendly energy partners. One potential source is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

RUSSIA AND UZBEKISTAN PLEDGE TO BOOST TIES, BUT PROBLEMS REMAIN

Although Tashkent has moved to re-join the Moscow-led post-Soviet security framework, bilateral issues remain between Russia and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan moved to revive its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization

GAZPROM RESHUFFLE FOLLOWS WARNINGS OF DOMESTIC GAS SHORTAGE

As Russia faces a natural gas shortage and the government mulls higher domestic prices for 2007, the gas monopoly Gazprom fired its top executive in charge of domestic supplies and

RUSSIA’S LONG-TERM EXPORT STRATEGY FOR ASIA REMAINS CHINA-ORIENTED

Russian gas leaders have reiterated pledges to prioritize China in their long-term oil export programs for Asia, as Moscow seemingly plans to direct the bulk of its Asian-bound crude to

GAZPROM TIGHTENS CONTROL OVER FAR EASTERN GAS RICHES

Gazprom has moved to expand its clout in Russia's Far East and Eastern Siberia. At a meeting with Exxon Neftegaz on October 24, Gazprom officials reportedly insisted on buying all

RUSSIA AMBIVALENT ABOUT SAKHALIN PRODUCTION SHARING DEALS

Russian energy projects governed by production sharing agreements are now facing environmental scrutiny, possibly indicating Moscow's unhappiness over the terms of deals made almost a decade ago. Russian officials went

MOSCOW EYES COORDINATION WITH CHINA OVER NORTH KOREAN TEST

As Russia backed measured UN sanctions against Pyongyang following its October 9 nuclear test, Moscow appears to be seeking concerted action with Beijing regarding North Korea’s mercurial behavior. Russian President

MOSCOW BEEFS UP SECURITY TIES WITH KYRGYZSTAN

Russia has moved to boost security ties with Kyrgyzstan in a perceived bid to guarantee the loyalty of the Central Asian state, once considered to be among Moscow's most trusted

NEW DEAL WILL PROCESS KAZAKH GAS AT NEARBY RUSSIAN FACILITY

On October 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed an agreement to set up a gas joint venture based at the Orenburg gas refinery. For the

RUSSIA SEEKS CLOSER MILITARY LINKS WITH UZBEKISTAN

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has hailed defense links between Moscow and Tashkent, saying that recent decisions made by the presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan have helped develop military cooperation

TRADE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA SLOWS DOWN

The Kremlin has repeatedly pledged to boost Russia’s economic ties with China. Recent statistics indicate that bilateral trade is rising, but at a rate slower than previously expected. In the

RUSSIA CONCERNED BY CHINA’S CHEMICAL POLLUTION

China has pledged sizable investments to prevent pollution of rivers near its border with Russia. However, some Russian officials remained unconvinced. China plans to spend $1.7 billion between now and

RUSSIA, CHINA, JAPAN, AND SOUTH KOREA TO LAUNCH NEW SEA ROUTE LINKING CHINA AND JAPAN

The countries of Northeastern Asia have long mooted new infrastructure projects to improve transportation links in the region. However, some routes tend to materialize more slowly than others. Russia, China,

KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, UZBEKISTAN, AND TAJIKISTAN SIGN PACT TO PRESERVE ARAL SEA

Central Asian leaders reiterated pledges to rescue the Aral Sea during a summit meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday, September 1. At that meeting, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,

RUSSIAN COAST GUARD SHOOTS JAPANESE FISHERMAN IN DISPUTED WATERS

A border incident has reignited the decades-long territorial dispute between Moscow and Tokyo. Russian border guards fired on a Japanese boat in disputed waters, killing a fisherman, for allegedly poaching

RUSSIA EYES YET ANOTHER GAS PIPELINE TO CHINA

Apart from preparing to build the Altai gas pipeline from Western Siberia, Russian authorities have also indicated plans to build a new gas pipeline from Sakhalin to neighboring China along

RUSSIA MOVES TO DEVELOP AND REPOPULATE THE KURIL ISLANDS

As Russia has failed to secure any significant economic incentives from Tokyo, especially a Japan-bound Pacific oil pipeline route, the Kremlin has moved to develop and repopulate the Kuril Islands,

RUSSIA’S OIL PIPELINE LEAK SPARKS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

A leak in one segment of Russia's Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline has not only affected international prices, but the incident has also reignited debates regarding the safety record of the country's

RUSSO-CHINESE FORESTRY JOINT VENTURE PLANS SPARK CONCERNS

As Russian and Chinese officials indicated plans to launch a major forestry joint venture in Siberia, environmentalists decried the idea as an ominous sign for Russia’s taiga forests. Russia and

RUSSIA UPS OIL EXPORTS TO CHINA BY RAIL

Russian boosted its oil exports to China by rail this year, but crude shipments are yet to match earlier expectations. In the first six months of 2006, Russian crude shipments

RUSSIA HIGHLIGHTS CENTRAL ASIAN AGENDA AT G-8 SUMMIT

By welcoming Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the only post-Soviet leader invited to attend the G-8 summit, Russia emphasized Central Asian energy issues at the meeting in St. Petersburg. At a

PUTIN AND NAZARBAYEV INK DEAL TO PROCESS GAS AT ORENBURG

On the sidelines of the G-8 summit, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a declaration on long-term cooperation in processing Karachaganak gas at Gazprom's Orenburg plant.

FRADKOV PROPOSES MULTIPLE JOINT VENTURES WITH MONGOLIA

During a visit to Mongolia this week, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov reiterated earlier pledges to strengthen economic ties with Ulan-Bator, once Moscow's closest ally in Asia. Russia and Mongolia

SIBERIA HOSTS MAJOR MILITARY EXERCISE, BUT KOREAN MISSILE TESTS SUGGEST FLAWED PLANNING

Russia's Siberian military district held major war games this summer, officially to explore avenues for military reform as well as better ways to confront terrorism. However, the simultaneous North Korean

GAZPROM EYES CENTRAL ASIA IN ITS DRIVE TOWARD “GLOBAL MARKET LEADERSHIP”

Russia's natural gas giant Gazprom has plans to expand to Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Iran in pursuit of “global market leadership,” Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller announced at the company's

CHINA EYES RUSSIA, CENTRAL ASIAN STATES AS SOURCE OF CHEAP ELECTRICITY

To feed its growing energy demands, Beijing views Russia and Central Asia as potential sources of low-cost electricity, prompting Russian officials to boost electricity exports to China. Central Asian states,

RUSSIA AND CHINA EYE BOOMING BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES

On the sidelines of the high-profile bilateral summit meetings at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) sessions, Russian and Chinese

MOSCOW, GAZPROM COMBINE TO MOVE AHEAD OF UKRAINE IN BUYING TURKMEN EXPORTS

Russia is now Turkmenistan's top foreign trade partner thanks to sizable purchases of Turkmen natural gas in the first three months of 2006. Russia imported Turkmen goods worth $754 million

RUSSIA EYES CENTRAL ASIA URANIUM DEPOSITS

Officials in Russia’s nuclear sector have long eyed Central Asia’s uranium deposits. Now Russia appears prepared to invest in the uranium-mining sector in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in order to supplement

CHINESE INVESTORS CONSIDER JOINT PROJECTS WITH RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Moscow and Beijing have long hailed regional cooperation as an important element of bilateral ties. While meeting Volgograd Governor Nikolai Maksyuta on May 27, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RUSSIAN AND KAZAKHSTAN SEEN AS “RELIABLE”

Russia has secured renewed pledges of allegiance from Kazakhstan, its "most reliable partner" in Central Asia. Speaking after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's southern Black Sea resort

RUSSIA REMAINS KARIMOV’S BEST HOPE

Amid growing international isolation, Tashkent views an alliance with Moscow as its main -- if not last -- geopolitical hope. The regime ruling Uzbekistan appears so keen to forge closer

STUNG BY CHENEY’S COMMENTS, MOSCOW PLAYS ENERGY CARD

Following U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to Kazakhstan May 5-6, Russian officials and executives moved to intensify Moscow's energy maneuverings in Central Eurasia. While Cheney was in Astana, Russian

RUSSIAN OIL TO FLOW TO CHINA EVEN BEFORE PIPELINE COMPLETED

In an apparent bid to secure a toehold on the lucrative Chinese market, Russian oil majors have moved to supply crude oil to China through Kazakhstan, rather than waiting for

PUTIN PLEASES ENVIRONMENTALISTS BY RE-ROUTING PACIFIC PIPELINE

As Russia prepares to start construction of a major oil pipeline from East Siberia to the Pacific tomorrow, April 28, the Kremlin offered a generous gesture towards environmentalists unhappy with

RUSSIA-PACIFIC PIPELINE PROJECT BRUSHES OFF ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIONS

The Kremlin appears keen to deliver on its repeated pledge to connect Russia's oil fields with the Asia-Pacific region by a pipeline running from eastern Siberia to the Pacific Ocean,

MOSCOW STEPS UP ECONOMIC, POLITICAL TIES WITH UZBEKISTAN

As Tashkent drifts closer towards Moscow-led post-Soviet groupings, Russia has lost little time in boosting bilateral economic and political ties with Uzbekistan, Central Asia's major market. Russian President Vladimir Putin

TURKMENISTAN SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY TIES WITH CHINA

Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov and Chinese President Hu Jintao signed a framework agreement on oil and gas cooperation in Beijing on April 3. Niyazov was in Beijing for a six-day

RUSSIAN-KAZAKH “STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP” LACKS EXCLUSIVITY

Russia has long considered Kazakhstan to be its main partner in Central Asia, but the Kazakh leadership seems to be seeking ways to hedge its bets by building an alternative

RUSSIA’S NEW CHINA-BOUND GAS PIPELINE PLAN SPARKS CONTROVERSY

As the Kremlin pledged to build two huge natural gas pipelines to China by 2011, one of these routes has already triggered an environmental controversy. When Russian President Vladimir Putin

RUSSIA PLEDGES TO UPHOLD GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY

Russia has reiterated its earlier pledges to safeguard global energy security, putting the issue at the top of the agenda while holding the G-8 presidency this year. However, some of

RUSSIA VIEWS MONGOLIA AS GATEWAY TO CHINA

Russian banks have announced plans to fund a major refinery project in Mongolia. The oil refinery will not only process Siberian crude, but it is also designed to cater to

RUSSIA CHINA PLEDGE TO BOOST SECURITY TIES

Top Russian and Chinese security officials have reiterated earlier pledges to develop bilateral cooperation. They also agreed to hold an unprecedented security drill in Southern Russia, the region that includes

RUSSIAN RAILWAYS FEARS LOOSING OIL SHIPMENTS TO CHINA

Russian Railways (RZD), a state-owned monopoly, has been eyeing crude oil shipments to China as a key element of its Far Eastern development. But now RZD is concerned over prospects

AS EUROPE EMBRACES ENERGY CONSERVATION, MOSCOW LOOKS TO ASIA’S GROWING DEMAND

Russia has reiterated plans to diversify its oil and natural gas exports with a growing focus on the Asia-Pacific region. In the near future, the main instrument of the Kremlin's

PUTIN, ALIYEV PREPARE FOR SUMMIT IN BAKU

The Kremlin has been working hard to strengthen ties with Azerbaijan, and President Vladimir Putin's upcoming trip to Baku is widely seen as a move designed to give bilateral relations

MOSCOW SEEKS TO ACQUIRE RUSSIAN DIAMOND MONOPOLY

As the Russian government moved to take over the country's diamond monopoly, Alrosa, the company simultaneously opted to diversify by acquiring majority stakes in several Siberian oil and gas assets.

RUSSIA REGISTERS GROWTH IN TRADE WITH CHINA, BUT INCREASE DUE TO HIGHER PRICES, NOT MORE TURNOVER

The Kremlin has boasted that Russia's growing trade with China is a manifestation of Moscow's "strategic" bilateral partnership with Beijing. Yet despite Russia's stated reluctance to limit itself to the

MOSCOW TO INCREASE NUCLEAR TIES WITH UZBEKISTAN

The five members of the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC) formally admitted Uzbekistan to the organization during its January 25 summit meeting in St. Petersburg. The EEC member states -- Russia,

DAMAGE CONTROL FOR RUSSIA AND CHINA AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL

The November 2005 benzene spill came as an unwanted irritant for Moscow's and Beijing's stated policy of "strategic partnership." Subsequently, both sides went ahead with damage control measures, which were

ROSNEFT EYES NEW FIELDS IN EASTERN SIBERIA AND BEYOND

Rosneft, Russia's state-owned oil titan, has been pursuing a very aggressive policy in recent months in order to boost its clout in Eastern Siberia. In the meantime, Rosneft's pro-active approach

ILLARIONOV RESIGNATION REDUCES KREMLIN DEBATE ON ECONOMY, ENERGY POLICY

The December 27 resignation of Andrei Illarionov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's economic adviser, is yet another sign of Russia's departure from the liberal economic path. In the meantime, Illarionov's exodus

RUSSIA EYES STRONGER ECONOMIC TIES WITH JAPAN

In the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Tokyo, Russian officials have reiterated their calls for stronger economic ties with Japan. However, there have been no indications

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AGREE TO DISAGREE ON GAS SUPPLIES

Despite top-level discussions and official pledges, Russia and Ukraine remain deeply divided over natural gas supply terms for 2006. Russia is satisfied with Ukraine's readiness to review prices for Russian

CSTO SEEN AS A SHIELD AGAINST OUTSIDE MEDDLING

Russia has reiterated its pledges to strengthen the regional security grouping it has established with five former Soviet states. At an unprecedented November 29-30 meeting in Moscow of the Collective

CHINA’S CHEMICAL SPILL IRRITATES RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

On November 13, an explosion at an aniline plant owned by Jilin Petrochemical, a subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), rocked northeastern China and killed five people. A

RUSSIAN-JAPANESE PEACE TREATY REMAINS ELUSIVE

On the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's November 20-22 trip to Japan for a summit in Tokyo with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a peace treaty between the two neighboring

RUSSIAN PERSONNEL CHANGES TO AFFECT FAR EAST REGION

Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest personnel shakeup is likely to affect the country's Far Eastern region, as well as relations with some neighboring states. When Putin promoted his chief of

COLLECTIVE SECURITY GROUP SEEKS TO ESTABLISH ITS IDENTITY, AVOID MERGERS

Russia's efforts to promote a regional military bloc with five Soviet successor states have been stymied by NATO's refusal to treat the grouping as an equal partner. Officially, the Collective

RUSSIA PLEDGES TO UP TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES WITH CHINA

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov visited Beijing November 3-4 to discuss trade and investment ties with China. But despite repeated promises, Moscow made no legally binding commitment to build an

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION EYES ECONOMIC, SECURITY COOPERATION

As top officials from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathered in Moscow on October 26, they reiterated earlier pledges to expand economic ties in Central Eurasia. The meeting also confirmed

GAZPROM’S ACQUISITION OF SIBNEFT SEEN AS DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

On October 17, Gazprom's Board of Directors approved the acquisition of a controlling share in Sibneft, Russia's fifth-largest oil producer. The deal is a major victory for the Kremlin, which

RUSSIA SHEDS NO TEARS OVER PEACE TREATY WITH JAPAN

As Russia has failed to secure any significant economic commitments from Tokyo, notably on the Japan-bound Pacific oil pipeline route, the Kremlin is losing interest in resolving a long-standing territorial

CACO-EEC MERGE TO ELIMINATE OVERLAPPING GOALS

As leaders of Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan gathered for the October 6 Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO) summit in St. Petersburg, they decided to merge their grouping with yet

RUSSIA’S PACIFIC OIL PIPELINE GAME REMAINS INCONCLUSIVE

In a statement on September 29, Russia's Natural Resources Ministry rejected a feasibility study for a Siberia-to-Pacific crude oil pipeline. The pipeline would pass within just 800 meters of Lake

RUSSIA WANTS TO BE MORE THAN CHINA’S SOURCE FOR RAW MATERIALS

While Moscow reiterates its pledges to beef up Russia's strategic partnership with China, some Russian officials are warning that Russia would not accept the role of raw materials supplier for

RUSSIA WARY OF POSSIBLE WATER DISPUTE WITH CHINA

Russian regional officials, water management experts, and media have reiterated their earlier warnings that Russia could suffer economic and ecological damage as a result of Beijing's plans to siphon off

MOSCOW AFFIRMS ITS NUCLEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH IRAN

As Russia welcomed Iran's top nuclear official on September 12, Moscow is sending signals that the Kremlin remains keen to strengthen its nuclear partnership with Tehran. Iranian Vice-President Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh,

RUSSIA-CHINESE BILATERAL PARTNERSHIP FIRMLY BASED ON MILITARY TIES

In the immediate aftermath of Russia's recent joint military exercise with China, the Kremlin lost little time to further boost the bilateral "strategic partnership." Notably, visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao

RUSSIAN-CHINESE WAR GAME MEANT TO BOOST BILATERAL PARTNERSHIP

As Russian troops started their first joint military exercise with China, the war game is seen as a manifestation of the Moscow-Beijing bilateral "strategic partnership." But at the same time,

BIRD FLU OUTBREAK THREATENS TO DEVASTATE CENTRAL EURASIAN ECONOMY

As Russia and Kazakhstan are now threatened by the Asian bird flu, the outbreak is understood to potentially entail wider economic repercussions. In the words of Russia's popular newspaper Moskovsky

TURKMENISTAN EXPLORES EXPORT ALTERNATIVES FOR ITS NATURAL GAS

Turkmenistan has been keen to expand the export markets for its abundant natural gas resources. Not surprisingly, Turkmen authorities have been eyeing China's lucrative energy markets, although pipelines to funnel

SAKHALIN ENERGY PROJECTS FACE REALITY CHECK

As the Shell-led Sakhalin-2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the Russian Far East faces cost overruns and delays, now Russian Sakhalin ventures appear to be facing a reality check,

MOSCOW BOOSTS SECURITY IN THE FAR EAST

From July 18 to 24, Russia is holding large-scale military maneuvers aimed at countering potential terrorist attacks in its Far East region. However, since terrorists have not yet really targeted

IRANIAN NUCLEAR TEAM IN MOSCOW, SEEKING NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Senior Iranian officials have indicated that Russia could become a partner in lucrative projects to build 20 nuclear power stations in Iran. "A plan has been approved in parliament obliging

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION SUMMIT SUGGESTS NEW RUSSIA-CHINA LINKS

As the six Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members gathered Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, on July 5, the summit meeting seemingly adopted a measure of anti-Western rhetoric. The SCO states (China, Russia,

KARIMOV TRAVELS TO MOSCOW, DISCUSSES ANDIJAN AND “TERRORISM” WITH PUTIN

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov traveled to Moscow June 28-29, apparently seeking reassurance amid growing international pressure for an independent investigation into last month's bloody crackdown in Uzbekistan. Karimov reiterated his

RUSSIA, CHINA ANTICIPATE BOOMING BILATERAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Investment and energy issues will top the agenda of the bilateral Russo-Chinese summit Moscow later this month. Although Beijing has demonstrated a willingness to continue its economic expansion in Russia,

RUSSIA AND CHINA BAND TOGETHER TO OPPOSE U.S. IN SPACE

Russia and China have combined to pressure the United Nations Disarmament Conference, the UN's main disarmament body, to open immediate talks on how to prevent an arms race in outer

BAM RAILWAY TO BECOME EXPORT ROUTE?

The Baikal-Amur Railway line (BAM) was originally designed to become a strategic alternative to the Trans-Siberian Railway. The BAM was also supposed to give the development of Eastern Siberia a

RUSSIA SEEKS CLARITY IN RELATIONS WITH JAPAN

The Kremlin has urged Japan to show a "more concrete" interest in economic ties with Russia, while Moscow is yet to finalize its own Pacific oil pipeline plan. Meanwhile, prospects

LAVROV MEETS CHINESE, INDIAN COUNTERPARTS IN VLADIVOSTOK

As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met his Chinese and Indian counterparts Li Zhaoxing and Natwar Singh in Vladivostok on June 2, talk resurfaced about the three countries combining forces

CHINA, RUSSIA FLOAT IDEA OF SELLING BAIKAL WATER

Chinese and Russian officials are considering the possibility of diverting water from Lake Baikal in Siberia through Mongolia to China's Inner Mongolia Region. According to an unnamed official from China's

RUSSIA HAILS BORDER DEAL WITH CHINA DESPITE CRITICISM

As Russia and China officially resolved their lingering border dispute, officials in Moscow hailed the agreement despite criticism from the opposition, the public, and the media. "For the first time

UZBEKISTAN’S RIOTS YIELD MIXED RESPONSE IN RUSSIA

As the Kremlin sides with Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov over the recent uprising in the Central Asian state, official Russian media outlets have linked up to back this point of

RUSSIA EYES GREATER STATE CONTROL OVER SAKHALIN HYDROCARBON PROJECTS

Gazprom's efforts to merge with the state-owned oil firm Rosneft appear to be part of a larger strategy to boost state-control over Russia's energy sector. The Gazprom-Rosneft merger, which likely

MONGOLIA DRIFTS AWAY FROM RUSSIA TOWARD CHINA

Once seen as the 16th republic of the USSR, former Soviet satellite Mongolia used to be subject to a sort of derogatory humor ("Kuritsa ne ptitsa, Mongolia ne zagranitsa" –

RUSSIAN ENERGY MINISTER VISITS TOKYO, PLEDGES TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON PIPELINE ROUTE

While Russia wavers on a Japan-bound Pacific oil pipeline route, Tokyo is making new overtures toward Moscow. Last week, Russia and Japan pledged to work out concrete ways of cooperation

YUKOS ASSET SEIZURE YET ANOTHER BLOW TO INVESTOR CONFIDENCE

As the remaining assets of the oil giant Yukos were seized last week, the fate of Russia's former leading oil company and its subsidiaries has come to symbolize the country's

CIS, SHANGHAI GROUP HERALD COOPERATION DEAL

Following a series of recent setbacks, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has been dismissed as an irrelevant institution. In an apparent attempt to reinvent itself, the CIS has clinched

MOSCOW APPEARS TO WAVER OVER PACIFIC PIPELINE ROUTE

Although the Russian government has announced what was seen as a final decision for a Japan-bound Pacific oil pipeline route, some recent statements by the country's top officials suggest otherwise.

RUSSIA PURSUES TURKMEN RICHES, WITH MIXED RESULTS

Russia has been courting Turkmenistan's authoritarian regime in an apparent attempt to secure its energy interests in the gas-rich Central Asian state. However, the pursuit has been dealt a number

MOSCOW EYES ENERGY DELIVERIES TO NORTH KOREA BY RAIL

Moscow has revealed possible plans to supply crude oil to Pyongyang, although expanded cooperation and trade ties between Russia and North Korea remain a distant vision. In March, Gennady Fadeyev,

TAIWAN ISSUE CLOUDS RUSSIA-CHINA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES

Russian Chief of General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky was dispatched to Beijing March 17-20 in order to finalize plans for unprecedented joint war games this fall. However, the upcoming drill wields

RUSSIA’S GAZPROM EYES EAST ASIAN MARKETS

With the release of a strategy dubbed its "Eastern Program," the Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom revealed its plans to boost gas exports to East Asian markets in the coming

RUSSIA EYES CHINA AND OTHER ELECTRICITY MARKETS

Unified Energy Systems, the Russian electricity giant, has pledged to capitalize on China's fast growing energy needs by exporting Siberian electricity to China. In the meantime, Russia's pro-active approach to

MOSCOW OFFERS MUTED RESPONSE TO POSSIBLE END OF EU ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST CHINA

Despite U.S. opposition, the European Union is proceeding with plans to lift the arms embargo against China by June 2005. The ban had been imposed following the June 1989 crackdown

RUSSIA INSISTS ON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH IRAN

Despite differences between Russia and the United States over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Moscow nonetheless continues to move towards boosting economic ties with Iran. Moreover, the Kremlin remains keen to strengthen

MOSCOW EYES ENERGY IMPLICATIONS OF NORTHEAST ASIA’S CHANGING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

As maneuvering continues around Russia's major oil and gas pipeline projects, Russian experts seek to clarify trends in the ongoing multilateral energy game. There appears to be a consensus that

RUSSIA’S CONFUSING PACIFIC OIL GAME

Although Moscow's East Asian policies have been eclipsed by the oil and gas game, the long saga of Russia's desire to create a Pacific oil pipeline, coupled with the controversial

TIES BETWEEN RUSSIA AND MONGOLIA STALL

Russian officials have claimed there are no problems in their relations with Mongolia, with which Russia shares a 3,500-kilometer-long border. However, despite official claims to the contrary, the once-close economic

KREMLIN USES MIX OF OIL AND WEAPONS TO RESOLVE FAR EASTERN BORDER DISPUTES

Moscow has offered Japan and China different packages to improve bilateral relations. Russia and Japan remain divided by the Kuril territorial dispute, despite recent moves to mend differences through energy

RUSSIA’S PACIFIC OIL PIPELINE SEEN AS DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Russia has long heralded its "strategic energy partnership" with China, yet Moscow has recently approved the Japan-bound East Siberia-Pacific oil pipeline. Now Russia is struggling to offer Beijing a sufficient