Russia & CIS

U.S. to Insist on 'Real Steps' to Mitigate Russian Pipeline Impact

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington was working with Germany to try to mitigate any effects of the completion of the Russian Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.

Blinken: U.S. Able to Mitigate Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Effects

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday the completion of the Russian Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline was a "fait accompli,” defending the U.S. decision to waive some sanctions and vowing a response if Moscow tries to use gas as a weapon.

Germany: Ukraine Must Remain Gas Transit Country After New Pipeline

Germany said Ukraine should remain a transit country for Russian gas, the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper reported, after President Vladimir Putin said it would depend on the former Soviet republic showing "goodwill" towards Moscow.

Nord Stream 2 to Be Completed as US Wants Good Ties With EU, Putin Says

Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany should be completed as new U.S. administration wants good relations with Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum.

Russia Estimates Lukoil's Oil Spill Damage at $4 Million

Russian environment watchdog has estimated the environment damage from a recent spill at one of oilfields of producer Lukoil at 300 million roubles ($4.1 million).

Russia Within 62 Miles of Finishing Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea is almost complete with just 100 kilometers (62 miles) left to build, TASS news agency quoted Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak as saying on Thursday.

Russia Says Nord Stream 2 Testing Work to Start Next Week

Testing work on Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany will start next week, Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region where the pipeline starts, was cited as saying by the TASS news agency on Wednesday.

Germany, U.S. Hold Talks in Washington on Nord Stream 2, Berlin Says

Germany and the United States are holding talks in Washington to try to resolve a row over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday.

Russia, Pakistan Agree to Build Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline

Russia and Pakistan have signed an agreement to build the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline, Russia's energy ministry said on Friday.

Biden: Nord Stream 2 Sanctions 'Counter-Productive' for European Ties

U.S. President Joe Biden said he decided to waive sanctions against the company behind the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline because the project was nearly complete and doing so could have harmed ties with Europe.

Candidates to Succeed Merkel Clash on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The conservative and Greens candidates to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel after September's federal election clashed on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, and on whether Germany should host U.S nuclear weapons.

Burst Pipeline Causes 2,000 Square Meter Oil Spill on Russia's Yamal

A burst pipeline on Russia's Yamal peninsula caused oil to be spilled across an area of up to 2,000 square meters, the RIA news agency cited the emergency services as saying on Friday.

Gazprom Coy on Nord Stream 2 Timing After U.S. Sanctions Waivers

Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Thursday completion of the politically-charged Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline depended on "many factors," following the sanctions waiver from the United States.

Poland Says Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Waiver a Threat to Energy Security

Poland said on Thursday that the waiver of U.S. sanctions on the company behind Russia's Nord Stream 2 was a threat to energy security in central and eastern Europe.

U.S. to Waive Sanctions on Firm, CEO Behind Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The Biden administration will waive sanctions on the company behind Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Europe and its chief executive, a Washington source familiar with the plans and Germany's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Oil Spill in Russia's Komi Region Estimated at 100 Tons, River Polluted

A pipeline spill in Russia's northwestern region of Komi leaked 100 tons of oil last week, including nine tons that flowed into a local river, the head of state environment watchdog Rosprirodnadzor said on Monday.

U.S. Senate Panel Advances Bill to Aid Ukraine, Pressure Nord Stream 2

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a bill to deliver aid to Ukraine in its struggle with Russia and pressure companies helping to build Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that could deprive Kyiv of lucrative transit fees.

Gazprom Helping Determine Lawful Ownership of Russian Gas Pipelines

In the absence of lawful owners, gas networks and pipelines lack proper control and maintenance. More than 70% of such facilities are in the North Caucasus, Volga and Siberian Federal Districts.

Feasibility Analysis for Gazprom’s Soyuz Vostok Gas Pipeline Project Approved

The feasibility analysis regarding the construction project for the Soyuz Vostok gas trunkline was approved Monday, Gazprom announced.

Gazprom Repairing North Caucasus-Transcaucasia Gas Pipeline

More than 120 people and 50 units of machinery are working to repair a section of the North Caucasus-Transcaucasia gas pipeline, Russia’s Gazprom announced.

Russia Expects Maritime Rules to be Respected Amid Nord Stream 2 Concerns

Russia expects all maritime traffic rules "to be strictly observed" in the area of the construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a foreign ministry official said.

Nord Stream 2 Warns of Security Risks to Pipeline from Warships, Planes

The consortium behind the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline warned about security risks to the project from warships and planes, as the link is nearing completion.

Merkel Ally Demands Temporary Halt to Nord Stream 2

Germany's coordinator for transatlantic relations called on Wednesday for a moratorium on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Europe, breaking ranks with many in Chancellor Angela Merkel's government.

Russia's Transneft Posts 26% Fall in 2020 Net Profit

Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneft's net profit fell by 26% last year to 133.2 billion roubles ($1.8 billion) as lower volumes of oil were transported amid global production cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Secretary of State: Finishing Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Ultimately Up to Builders

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview that it was ultimately up to those building the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline whether to complete it despite opposition from Washington.

Gazprom Chairman Expects Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Completion This Year Despite U.S. Pressure

The chairman of Russian gas producer Gazprom's board was cited by the TASS news agency on Friday as saying that construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany would be completed this year despite U.S. opposition to the project.

U.S.'s Blinken Warned Germany's Maas About Nord Stream 2 Sanctions

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had told his German counterpart that sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline were a real possibility and there was "no ambiguity" in American opposition to its construction.

U.S. Senators Want Biden to Speed Sanctions Over Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

Two senior U.S. Senate Democrats urged President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday to make a full diplomatic push to stop the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Europe, increasing pressure on the issue from members of his party.

At NATO, Blinken Warns Germany Over Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built from Russia to Germany ran counter to the European Union's own interests and could undermine Ukraine.

Germany's Greens Vow to Abolish Russian Gas Pipeline After Election

Germany's Greens have enshrined in their election program plans to abolish the contested Nord Stream 2 pipeline to ship Russian gas to Europe's biggest economy, creating a hurdle to a potential alliance with the conservatives.