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☆ Oil up over $2 on tighter supply while OPEC+ talks limit gains
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Rowena Edwards | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But the likelihood that OPEC+ will leave output unchanged at its upcoming meeting limited the gains. Brent crude futures rose $2.22, or 2.67% to $85.25 per barrel by 1340 GMT. Support followed expectations of tighter crude supply. U.S. crude oil stocks dropped by 7.9 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 25, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Russia would not supply oil to countries imposing a price cap, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

☆ Heaviest Ukraine fighting rages in east, West seeks to sustain support against Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Ukrainian servicemen fire with a Bureviy multiple launch rocket system at a position in Donetsk region, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine November 29, 2022. In Washington, a $1.2 billion contract for six National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine was awarded to Raytheon, the Pentagon said. At the NATO foreign ministers meeting, allies on Wednesday pledged to help Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina as they face pressure from Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and ministers said. Russia invaded Ukraine nine months ago in what it calls a "special military operation" to rid Ukraine of nationalists it considers dangerous. "We haven't seen these Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles for about two weeks ... the first batch has probably already run out," he told Ukraine's main television network.

☆ Belarus officials say Vladimir Makei, long-time foreign minister, has died suddenly
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Belarus’ long-standing foreign minister has died suddenly, the country’s foreign ministry said Saturday, two days before he was meant to meet his Russian counterpart. "The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei has passed away," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus said in a tweet. Before the presidential elections and mass anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020, Makei had been one of the initiators of efforts to improve Belarus’ relations with the West and had criticized Russia. “We are shocked by the reports of the death of the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted in her Telegram channel. “In 2020, Makei betrayed the Belarusian people and supported tyranny.

☆ Belarus foreign minister Makei dies - Belta
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 26 (Reuters) - Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has died at the age of 64, state news agency Belta reported on Saturday. "Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has passed away suddenly," Belta reported. Before the presidential elections and mass anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020, Makei had been one of the initiators of efforts to improve Belarus' relations with the West and had criticised Russia. However, he abruptly changed his stance after the start of the protests, claiming they were inspired by agents of the West. "We are shocked by the reports of the death of the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted in her Telegram channel.

☆ Ukraine says will look into video allegedly showing its soldiers shooting Russians
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

“HRMMU is aware of the video and is looking into it,” it said in a statement to The Associated Press. “We have received credible allegations of summary executions of persons hors de combat, and several cases of torture and ill-treatment, reportedly committed by members of the Ukrainian armed forces,” Bogner said. Ukrainian forces often wear bits of yellow, blue or green to identify themselves on the battlefields. At least two other armed men wearing glimpses of yellow also appear to be watching the apparent surrender. Ukrainian forces claimed to have regained control of the front-line village earlier this month.

☆ Russia's Lavrov went to hospital for 'checkup': Indonesia official
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited and later left a Bali hospital ahead of the Group of 20 summit being held on the island, Indonesian authorities said Monday. Four Indonesian government and medical officials earlier told The Associated Press that Lavrov was treated at the hospital in the provincial capital, Denpasar. Lavrov is Russia’s longest-serving foreign minister since Soviet times, when Andrei Gromyko, nicknamed “Mr Nyet” in the West for his uncompromising approach, held the post for 28 years. Before becoming foreign minister, Lavrov served as Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations. Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Lavrov repeatedly dismissed U.S. and British assertions that Putin was preparing to order an invasion.

☆ Russia's Lavrov dismisses AP report that he was taken to hospital at G20
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Stanley Widianto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SummarySummary Companies Lavrov dismisses AP reportAP said Lavrov had been treated for heart conditionBali governor: Lavrov had checks in hospital, in good healthNUSA DUA, Indonesia, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday dismissed an Associated Press report that he had been taken to hospital with a heart condition, scolding Western journalists for what he cast as false reporting. Associated Press, citing Indonesian officials, said that Lavrov had been taken to hospital after arriving on the island of Bali for a Group of 20 summit. Zakharova posted a video of Lavrov, President Vladimir Putin's foreign minister since 2004, sitting outdoors on a patio, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and reading documents. "Western journalists need to be more truthful - they need to write the truth." Lavrov said Western media routinely took a partial view of events and ignored Russia's point of view.

☆ Russia's foreign minister was hospitalized after arriving for the G20 summit, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Russia's foreign minister was taken to hospital in Bali after arriving for the G20, the AP reported. Russia's foreign ministry did not respond to the AP's request for comment, but told Reuters that Lavrov had not been hospitalized. The governor of Bali, meanwhile, said that Lavrov was in good health and had been in hospital for a check-up, according to Reuters. Lavrov flew to Bali for the G20 on Sunday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would not attend the event. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been a key talking point before the summit.

☆ Russian's Lavrov taken to hospital after arriving for G20 summit - AP
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was taken to hospital after arriving in Indonesia's Bali for the G20 summit, the Associated Press reported on Monday, a report that Moscow dismissed as "fake news". AP reported that Lavrov was being treated for a heart condition, citing several sources. However, Russia's foreign ministry said the report was baseless. "This, of course, is the height of fakery," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Lavrov arrived in Bali on Sunday to represent Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit.

☆ Russia denies Lavrov was taken to Bali hospital and treated for heart condition ahead of G-20 summit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Russia's foreign ministry on Monday denied a report that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was taken to hospital after he arrived in Bali on Sunday for the G-20 meeting. AP, citing four Indonesian government and medical officials, reported that 72-year-old Lavrov had been taken to the hospital after landing in Bali, where he is set to attend the summit that begins on Tuesday, and had been treated for a heart condition, with no further details provided. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster told Reuters that Lavrov had visited hospital, for what he said was a check-up, and that the minister was in good health. She then posted a video of Lavrov dismissing reports he had fallen ill, saying Russia was used to similar reports speculating on the state of President Vladimir Putin's health. Images showed him arriving at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Sunday and being greeted by officials.

☆ Russia summons British ambassador over drone strike on Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] British Ambassador to Russia Deborah Bronnert arrives at the Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters, as activists hold a protest against what Russia's officials said to be the involvement of British specialists in a Ukrainian drone strike on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, in Moscow, Russia November 3, 2022. REUTERS/Shamil ZhumatovNov 3 (Reuters) - Russia summoned the British ambassador on Thursday over Moscow's claim that British navy personnel were involved in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday the ambassador was to be summoned over Saturday's drone attack on Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. After the drone attack, Russia temporarily suspended participation in a U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain deal. Russia casts Britain as a particularly perfidious Western power which President Vladimir Putin says is plotting to destroy Russia and carve up its vast natural resources.

☆ Russia to summon British ambassador over Black Sea Fleet drone strike
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Russia will summon Britain's ambassador to Moscow over what it said was the involvement of British specialists in a Ukrainian drone strike on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Russia suspended participation in a U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative on Saturday after what it said was a major drone attack on vessels in the Bay of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Russia's defence ministry said the attack was carried out under the guidance and leadership of British navy specialists, an assertion Britain has dismissed as false. "These actions were carried out under the guidance of British specialists," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Wednesday. "In this regard, the British ambassador will shortly be summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry."

☆ Russian assets seized in Ukraine may be used for reconstruction - minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Assets belonging to Russian and Belarusian individuals seized by Ukraine could be used for the country's massive post-war reconstruction effort, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko was quoted on Friday as saying. The government has frozen Russian and Belarusian assets in Ukraine worth some 44 billion hryvnias ($1.21 billion) since the start of Moscow's invasion on Feb. 24, according to the Economic Security Bureau, a state agency. "Money seized on the territory of Ukraine from Russian and Belarusian citizens can be involved in this fund," he added, without elaborating. The European Union is also looking at using Russian assets frozen under Western sanctions against Moscow in the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine, the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, said at an EU summit last week. Moscow said on Thursday it would retaliate if the EU moved to confiscate assets belonging to the Russian state or its citizens.

☆ Factbox: Has Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The West says Russia has made repeated threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but what has President Vladimir Putin actually said on the possible use of nuclear weapons? The Kremlin chief said the West was plotting to destroy his country, engaging in "nuclear blackmail" by allegedly discussing the potential use of nuclear weapons against Moscow. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them," Putin said. Putin, the ultimate decision maker on any nuclear launch, has not publicly mentioned tactical nuclear weapons in relation to Ukraine. Russia's nuclear doctrine allows for a nuclear strike after "aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened".

☆ Weapons in Ukraine aren't flooding Europe's black markets, but that could change
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The volume of weapons sent to and in Ukraine has raised concern that some could end up on the black market. The United Kingdom has sent Ukraine more than 4,200 such weapons since Russia invaded. Similarly, the UK has sent more than 5,000 point-and-shoot NLAW anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, weapons that can readily target and destroy most moving vehicles. However, "At the moment," he said, "there is no evidence of increased arms trafficking from Ukraine to other countries." In September, the Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the creation of a new unit dedicated to combating illicit arms trafficking.

☆ Russia says it will retaliate if EU confiscates state assets
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Russia will retaliate if its state and citizens' assets are confiscated by the European Union, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Asked about comments reportedly made by European leaders suggesting Russian assets in the European Union could be confiscated, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that this would be "stealing". "The EU judiciary refuses to protect Russians' property," she said. Reporting by Reuters; editing by John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Reactions to UK PM Liz Truss's resignation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Following are reactions from senior figures around the world to the resignation of Liz Truss, who said on Thursday that she was resigning as Britain's prime minister just six weeks after she was appointed. I thank Prime Minister Liz Truss for her partnership on a range of issues including holding Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine. RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN MARIA ZAKHAROVA"Britain has never known such a .... prime minister. LONDON MAYOR SADIQ KHAN, SPEAKING IN BUENOS AIRES"This morning I heard the news that my political opponent, the Conservative Prime Minister of the UK, has resigned. Had I known that organising the summit could lead to the resignation of the UK PM I'd have organised it sooner."

☆ Russia says outgoing PM Truss was a 'catastrophically illiterate' disgrace
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova speaks during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovOct 20 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday welcomed the departure of British Prime Minister Liz Truss, saying she was a disgrace of a leader who would be remembered for her "catastrophic illiteracy". "Britain has never known such a disgrace of a prime minister," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a social media post. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Zakharova's reference to illiteracy appears to refer to that trip, when Truss was British foreign minister. In a meeting with Russia's veteran foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, she appeared to confuse two regions of Russia with Ukraine, drawing mockery in Russian media.

☆ All you need to know about the Nord Stream gas leaks — and why Europe suspects 'gross sabotage'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

An initial crime scene investigation last week into what caused the gas leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines reinforced suspicions of "gross sabotage." The explosions triggered four gas leaks at four locations — two in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's exclusive economic zone. Neither of the Nord Stream pipelines was transporting gas at the time of the blasts, although they both contained pressurized methane — a potent greenhouse gas. A satellite image of the Nord Stream leak in the Baltic Sea, captured on Sept. 26, 2022. Environmental impactThe unexplained Nord Stream gas leaks pose serious questions about the incident's environmental impact.

☆ Russia: U.S. 'encouragement' of Ukraine complicates diplomatic solution
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MOSCOW, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Russia is open for diplomacy, but Washington's encouragement of Ukraine's "bellicose mood" complicates diplomatic efforts to solve the conflict, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday. "We repeat once again specially for the American side: the tasks that we set in Ukraine will be solved," Zakharova wrote on the ministry website. "Russia is open for diplomacy and the conditions are well known. The longer Washington encourages Kyiv's bellicose mood and encourages rather than hinders the terrorist undertakings of Ukrainian saboteurs, the more difficult will be the search for diplomatic solutions." Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Reuters Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Putin's calling the 'unprecedented sabotage' of the Nord Stream pipeline an 'act of international terrorism'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-30 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's President Putin likens the Nord Stream pipelines' damage to "international terrorism." Leaks to the key Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines transporting natural-gas from Russia to Europe were first detected on Monday in the Danish region of the Baltic Sea. The finger-pointing continues, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying the damage to Nord Stream appeared to be due to state-sponsored terrorism, Reuters reported on Thursday. She was referring to Biden's statement on February 7 that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline would be halted if Russia invades Ukraine. The Nord Stream 2 has never started commercial operations because Germany shelved the project in February, days before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

☆ Russia open to in-person talks with U.S. on nuclear arms treaty
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday it was studying the possibility of a face-to-face meeting between Russian and U.S. negotiators on a landmark nuclear arms control treaty. In a briefing in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia was open to reviving inspections under the New START treaty and considering the possibility of in-person meetings of a joint commission of representatives from the United States and Russia. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"The topic of resuming them is being considered," Zakharova said on Thursday. The treaty sets limits on the number of nuclear arms each side can have deployed, and outlines the terms for verification and inspection of each other's nuclear arsenals. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russia says Nord Stream leaks occurred in zone controlled by U.S. intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 29 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday said ruptures to the Nord Stream pipelines that have caused gas leaks off the coasts of Denmark and Sweden occurred in territory that is "fully under the control" of U.S. intelligence agencies. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a pro-Kremlin broadcast that Washington had "full control" over the waters around Denmark and Sweden where four leaks have been detected on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which cross the floor of the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"They are countries that are completed controlled by the U.S. intelligence services." Zakharova did not provide evidence of U.S. control over Sweden and Denmark. The European Union suspects sabotage was behind the gas leaks on the subsea Russian pipelines to Europe and has promised a "robust" response to any intentional disruption of its energy infrastructure.

Russia intends to call a United Nations Security Council meeting over damage to the gas pipelines, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Telegram. In the Baltic Sea, gas was still bubbling from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the Swedish Coast Guard said in an email. "There are good teams in place to handle pipeline accidents, there are emergency pipe inventories and experts for onshore and offshore," Jens Schumann, managing director of gas pipeline grid company Gasunie Deutschland, said. European gas prices rose following news of the leaks. The new Nord Stream 2 pipeline had yet to enter commercial operations.

☆ Russia is recycling its threats as the US keeps sending Ukraine billions in military aid, warning longer-range weapons would cross a line
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is again recycling its threats, warning the US against sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. It is again warning that the US would be crossing a "red line" if it supplied the weapons. The US has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military assistance throughout Russia's war. The US has provided Ukraine with more than $15 billion in military assistance since Biden took office, and more may be on the way. Russia has repeatedly warned the US and its allies to stop sending arms to Ukraine, arguing that it is prolonging the bloody conflict Putin started.

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