Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who spent some 12 years in a US prison was exchanged on Wednesday for US national Trevor Reed sentenced to nine years behind bars back in 2020. The exchange became possible following a “lengthy negotiation process” Russian diplomats have said. The exchange, which took place in …
Read More »Kremlin responds to ‘gas blackmail’ claims by EU
Russia has denied using natural gas exports as a tool to “blackmail” Europe, a claim voiced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the switch to gas trade in rubles stems from the EU’s own actions. “This is …
Read More »EU admits Russia sanctions don’t work
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Wednesday noted Russia’s success in resisting Western sanctions, expressing his regrets about the fact. “So far, we see that Russia, unfortunately, is coping well with the sanctions,” he told reporters, adding that in order to “correct” the situation, Warsaw would work on developing new …
Read More »Euro crashes to five-year low
The euro plummeted to a five-year low against the US dollar during Wednesday’s trading, amid heightened fears of a possible energy crisis and an economic slowdown in Europe. As of 11:01am GMT, the euro/dollar exchange rate was down to $1.061 from the previous closing level of $1.0636. Earlier in the …
Read More »Four EU buyers made gas payments in rubles – media
Four European countries have already made gas payments to Russia using Moscow’s new ruble-based mechanism, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday citing a source close to Russian gas exporter Gazprom. Also, according to the publication, at least 10 countries have set up ruble accounts with Russia’s Gazprombank, through which the payments for …
Read More »Putin promises ‘lightning’ response to strategic threats to Russia
Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned outside forces against interfering in the Ukrainian conflict, promising a “lightning-speed” response to such actions, with the use of Moscow’s most advanced weaponry. “If someone decides to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside and create unacceptable strategic threats to us, they should know …
Read More »EU to boost Russian gas imports through countries willing to pay in rubles – media
The European Union plans to significantly increase the purchase of Russian natural gas through countries that are ready to pay for the commodity in rubles, TASS news agency reported on Wednesday citing a government source in Brussels. “An emergency meeting of the Gas Coordinating Group took place today in view …
Read More »Jailed ex-US marine Reed exchanged for Russian pilot Yaroshenko – Moscow
US national Trevor Reed, sentenced to nine years’ jail in Russia in 2020, has been exchanged for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been serving a 20-year sentence in a US prison since 2010, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. Russian diplomats told journalists that the swap was the result …
Read More »EU accuses Russia of gas ‘blackmail’
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has accused Russia of using natural gas supplies as an “instrument of blackmail” following Gazprom’s decision to halt exports to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday. Warsaw and Sofia failed to pay for Russian gas deliveries in April in rubles, Russia’s …
Read More »Shots and drones from Ukraine reported near huge arms depot in Transnistria
Several shots were fired from across Ukraine’s border with Transnistria into the territory of the self-proclaimed republic and in the direction of a huge arms depot, its interior ministry said on Wednesday. Two drones were also sighted in the area. “At 8:45 in the morning on April 27, shots were …
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