The South Korean newswire service Yonhap reports that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un may meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time next week as the latter travels east to China, the latest in months of reports that the two men have sought to schedule a summit. The report follows the departure of a Russian legislative delegation led by Duma Deputy Speaker Sergei Neberov from Pyongyang, where they sought to discuss strengthening ties between the two nations. During the visit, Neberov told the Russian outlet TASS that the Kim regime was interested in buying new Russian aircraft to use as part of its domestic airline. North Korea has depended on antiquated Russian technology for access to the skies for decades and has expressed interest in expanding its tourism sector, one of the few areas of the economy not under international sanctions.Yonhap cites in its report an unnamed “source” in Moscow, who said “chances are … [Read more...] about Report: Kim Jong-un May Meet Russia’s Putin as Soon as Next Week
Sanctions russia list
Dark money flows between Russia and Iran show how vital EU sanctions are against both ǀ View
On Tuesday 12 March, the European People’s Party (EPP) Vice President Sandra Kalniete presented a report to the European Parliament calling for the EU to reassess its relationship with Russia. It was a small intervention which many will have missed. Kalniete said that “the EU should stand ready to consider adopting further sanctions if Russia's violation of international law continues.” The EPP is right to highlight the aggressive behaviour of Russia. The recognition of the need to sanction Russia, however, invariably raises another more worrying issue: the links between Russia and Iran, and the ways in which sanctions on the two countries are intertwined. It is the nature of these relationships that warrants more than ever our very close attention. Like Russia, Iran has proved itself again and again to be both blatantly two faced and a serial bad actor on the world stage, posing a threat to Europe’s interests domestically and abroad. The regime openly supports … [Read more...] about Dark money flows between Russia and Iran show how vital EU sanctions are against both ǀ View
Exclusive: Despite sanctions, Russian tanker supplied fuel to North Korean ship-crew members
By Polina Nikolskaya VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) - A Russian tanker violated international trade sanctions by transferring fuel to a North Korean vessel at sea at least four times between October 2017 and May 2018, two crew members who witnessed the transfers said. Such transactions could have helped provide North Korea with an economic lifeline and eased the isolation of the secretive communist state, whose leader, Kim Jong Un, is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Vietnam this week. Primportbunker, the owner of the vessel the crew members said made the transfers, did not respond to requests for comment by telephone. No one answered the door when Reuters visited the building where Primportbunker has its headquarters in the port city of Vladivostok on Russia's Pacific coast. On the four voyages between Oct. 13, 2017, and May 7, 2018, the Tantal tanker gave its destination as the Chinese port of Ningbo when it set sail, according to port documents seen by Reuters and tracking … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Despite sanctions, Russian tanker supplied fuel to North Korean ship-crew members
Texas Republicans defect en masse as Trump weakens Russia sanctions
By Kevin Diaz Published 4:13 pm CST, Thursday, January 17, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of the press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of the press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko, STF / Associated Press Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko, STF / Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of the press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. U.S. President Donald … [Read more...] about Texas Republicans defect en masse as Trump weakens Russia sanctions
No vodka or caviar? Russia’s Davos party coming to an end
The Swiss resort of Davos, home to the annual WEF gabfest for the rich and the powerful. Photo: AFP Davos without vodka or caviar? Unthinkable a few years ago, but not with Russia's economic influence waning and Moscow now threatening to boycott next year's gathering of the global business elite in the Swiss Alps. Increasingly isolated by economic sanctions, Russia reacted with fury to reports that Kremlin-friendly tycoons have been asked to stay away from the World Economic Forum in January. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned this week that no Russian delegation would go to Davos at all if the tycoons – Oleg Deripaska, Viktor Vekselberg and Andrei Kostin – were not welcome. Ukrainian-born Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg with Russian President Vladmir Putin. Photo: AFP Davos organisers have so far refused to comment on the threat and a boycott is unlikely to have much impact. Experts say the heyday of interest in … [Read more...] about No vodka or caviar? Russia’s Davos party coming to an end