Russia – Page 5 – European Neighbourhood Monitor

“Russia’s presence in Libya provides it with the strategic depth to squeeze Europe”

Oil supply disruptions in Libya have escalated in past weeks, further increasing concern in Europe over its energy supply. This was due to protests, blockades and shutdowns at key oil infrastructure in the unstable country, as only 650,000 b/d in oil was pumped in June, which is the lowest level since October 2020 and meant […]

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Kazakhstan’s oil supply to the EU under threat?

Central Asia / ENM

Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) was ordered last week by a Russian court to suspend its operations, citing environmental arguments, meaning that Kazakhstan annual supply of 67 million tons of oil through Russia to Europe is under threat. This was only two days after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told Council President Charles Michel his country is ready

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Will the EU snubbing Georgia push it closer to Russia?

Caucasus / ENM

The EU’s decision to only grant Georgia EU candidate status after addressing certain priorities, unlike Ukraine and Moldova, continues to make waves. Commenting to Stuttgarter Nachrichten, German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg states: “Denying Georgia accession status is a terrible sign and a big strategic mistake by the EU”, adding that there is a danger

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EU looks at Israel and Egypt to reduce dependence on Russian energy

Middle East / ENM

In order to deal with the energy crisis, the European Commission is looking at Egypt and Israel to increase import of natural gas. It is proposing this to EU member states in a memorandum of understanding. According to a draft obtained by Reuters, the Commission states: “The natural gas to be shipped to the European Union

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied right to fly over Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro

Eastern Europe, Western Balkans / ENM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s has been forced to cancel his trip to Serbia after countries around Serbia, notably Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro, closed their airspace to his aircraft. A senior Russian Foreign Ministry official stated that this caused the trip to be cancelled, commenting: “Our diplomacy has yet to master teleportation.” Following the

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Is Russia losing its grip on Central Asia as a result of the sanctions?

Central Asia / ENM

An analysis on Voice of America News notes that “Russia’s influence in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia is expected to decline as its overstretched military struggles in Ukraine and its economy suffers shocks from the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, according to experts.” The author, Asim Kashgarian, explains: “Russia

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