Picture shows Nord Stream pipeline equipments before the opening ceremony of the North Stream second gas link in Portovaya bay, near the town of Vyborg in northwestern Russia. (Xinhua_IANS)
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which went into operation in 2011, transports gas from Vyborg in Russia to Lubmin in northeastern Germany….reports Asian Lite News
Gas deliveries through the German-Russian pipeline Nord Stream 1 resumed on Thursday morning after 10 days of maintenance, the German news agency dpa reported.
Gas is flowing again and the gas transport level via Nord Stream 1 has resumed at the pre-maintenance level, around 40 per cent of the pipeline’s transport capacity, Xinhua news agency reported quoting a spokesman for Nord Stream AG.
However, he added that the registered volumes could also change in the course of a day, and it would take some time before full transport capacity is reached.
Meanwhile, Klaus Mueller, chief of the federal network agency Bundesnetzagentur, said on Wednesday evening that 30 per cent of the maximum transport capacity was to flow through the pipeline.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which went into operation in 2011, transports gas from Vyborg in Russia to Lubmin in northeastern Germany. From there, gas is further transported to other European countries such as Belgium, Denmark, France and the Netherlands, according to the operator.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already led the fund to cut its growth forecast for the global economy to 3.6 per cent this year…reports Asian Lite News
A total shutdown of Russian gas supply would reduce GDP in the most vulnerable EU countries by as much as 6 per cent and send them plunging into recession, the International Monetary Fund has warned, media reports said.
Amid speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin will keep the Nord Stream 1 pipeline closed when routine annual maintenance ends later this week, the IMF said Europe lacked a comprehensive plan to cope with shortages, further increases in energy prices and the impact on growth, The Guardian reported.
The Washington-based fund identified Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as the three EU countries likely to suffer most, but said that Italy, Germany and Austria would also suffer significant effects, the report said.
“The prospect of an unprecedented total shutoff is fuelling concern about gas shortages, still higher prices, and economic impacts. While policymakers are moving swiftly, they lack a blueprint to manage and minimise impact,” IMF officials said.
“Our work shows that in some of the most-affected countries in central and eastern Europe, there is a risk of shortages of as much as 40 per cent of gas consumption and of gross domestic product shrinking by up to 6 per cent.
“The impacts, however, could be mitigated by securing alternative supplies and energy sources, easing infrastructure bottlenecks, encouraging energy savings while protecting vulnerable households, and expanding solidarity agreements to share gas across countries.”
The IMF said Europe’s energy infrastructure and global supply had coped so far with a 60 per cent drop in Russian gas deliveries since June last year, but underlined the potential costs should the Kremlin respond to Western sanctions by “weaponising” energy supplies, The Guardian reported.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already led the fund to cut its growth forecast for the global economy to 3.6 per cent this year, and it will announce a further downgrade later this month.
The two presidents also expressed determination to continue the path of further strengthening bilateral relations….reports Asian Lite News
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have held talks here, agreeing to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation to ensure security in the region.
The meeting was held following Putin’s arrival in Tehran on Tuesday afternoon for participation in a trilateral meeting with Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the issue of Syria later in the day, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a report by the Iranian presidency’s website.
The two sides reviewed the latest developments in bilateral relations, which have improved significantly following the start of the Raisi administration, expressing satisfaction with the leap in ties, particularly, in the economic, security, infrastructure, energy, trade and industry sectors, the report noted.
The two presidents also expressed determination to continue the path of further strengthening bilateral relations.
Lauding the joint achievements in the fight against terrorism, Raisi and Putin highlighted the necessity of enhancing cooperation in regional and transregional areas, noting that they are determined to help ensure security in the region’s “independent states.”
Describing the two countries’ will to expand bilateral relations as “remarkable”, Raisi said that, after his meetings with Putin in Moscow in late January and Ashgabat in late June, the Iran-Russia cooperation has kept reflecting a growing trend which needs to be further reinforced.
On the “successful” bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Syria, the Iranian president said such collaborations “prepare the ground for improving regional security and stability”.
He added that Iran and Russia have proved their honesty and strong will in combating terrorism through cooperation to this end.
For his part, Putin said the cooperation between Russia and Iran has increased in different sectors, particularly in the area of international security, adding that both sides have a very big share of the efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria.
The decision came after a video debriefing on the latest developments by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba…reports Asian Lite News
The Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) member states have agreed to grant Ukraine an additional 500 million euros ($507.7 million) in EU military aid.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told a news conference in Brussels on Monday following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting that the Ministers agreed on tightening the sanctions on Russia and closing the loopholes in the current measures.
The decision came after a video debriefing on the latest developments by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Xinhua news agency reported.
Borrell said the Ministers “unanimously agreed” on the need to continue to stand firmly with Ukraine. The bloc’s total contribution in military aid now stands at 2.5 billion euros.
He confirmed that the Ministers also discussed the European Commission’s latest proposal on banning Russian gold imports and amending the extension of sanctions. He said that the member states’ ambassadors will discuss the measures this week. (1 euro = $1.02)
The consul general of Russia in Jeddah, Yusup Abakarov, also praised the efforts made and services provided to the pilgrims…reports Asian Lite News
The head of Russian Haj Affairs Office Hezbollah Asyouf has praised the services and facilities provided by the Saudi government to pilgrims, which contributed to achieving the huge success of the Haj season, it was reported.
“The care and concern of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to serve the pilgrims was not limited to the giant projects in Makkah and the holy sites, but this year we have witnessed a lot of developments that confirm the care and full attention provided by the Kingdom’s government to the pilgrims,” said Asyouf during his meeting with Zuhair Khattab Shaker, managing director of the Haj services of Tawafa Company for pilgrims of Europe, America and Australia.
The consul general of Russia in Jeddah, Yusup Abakarov, also praised the efforts made and services provided to the pilgrims, in addition to the distinguished procedural, technical and organizational facilities that contributed to achieving the success of Haj.
“The giant projects in the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites are evidence of the full concern and care of the Kingdom’s government to the pilgrims and its keenness every year to provide more services and capabilities in order for them to perform their rituals with ease,” he said.
Abakarov also praised the services provided by the company to the pilgrims in general, and in particular to Russian pilgrims, whose number this year was about 12,500, it was reported.
Russia has lost some 50,000 killed or wounded soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine and nearly 1,700 tanks have been destroyed, the head of Britain’s armed forces says…reports Asian Lite News
But Admiral Tony Radakin told the BBC in an interview broadcast on July 17 that any speculation the losses could bring down the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin was just “wishful thinking.”
“I think some of the comments that he’s not well or that actually surely somebody’s going to assassinate him or take him out, I think they’re wishful thinking,” he said of Putin.
“As military professionals, we see a relatively stable regime in Russia. President Putin has been able to quash any opposition. We see a hierarchy that is invested in President Putin and so nobody at the top has got the motivation to challenge President Putin,” Radakin added.
“And that is bleak.”
The British military chief said that, with the setbacks in Ukraine, Russia’s land forces may now pose less of a threat than they did before the war.
Along with the losses in personnel and tanks, Russia has seen some 4,000 of its armored fighting vehicles destroyed since its February 24 invasion, according to his estimates.
“But Russia continues to be a nuclear power. It’s got cyber-capabilities, it’s got space capabilities, and it’s got particular programs underwater, so it can threaten the underwater cables that allow the world’s information to transit around the whole globe.”
G20 members denounce war
Many participants in the G20 meeting of finance ministers in Indonesia’s Bali have strongly condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine and called for an end to it.
Indonesia’s G20 presidency said this in a statement after the meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors held on July 15-16, Ukrinform reported.
“Many [G20] members agreed that the recovery of the global economy has slowed and is facing a major setback as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which was strongly condemned, and called for an end to the war,” the statement said.
“The majority of members agreed that there is an alarming increase of food and energy insecurity, which are felt disproportionately by vulnerable groups. Some also expressed concerns about fertilizer availability which has the potential to further exacerbate the food crisis. Members affirmed their commitment to use all available policy tools to address current economic and financial challenges, including the risk of food insecurity,” the statement said.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds talks in Ukraine with the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Picture by Ukraine Government
He added that this is a cruel paradox of the 21st century, and it is a reality for Ukrainians…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday said that Russia started a war and does not want to end it, whereas Ukraine is defending its own land and fighting for peace.
Ukrainian President Zelensky published several photos of Ukrainian forces, and posted, “This is a war in Ukraine that Russia started, that Russia continues and that Russia does not want to end. Ukraine defends its own land, its sovereignty, its territory. Ukraine is fighting for peace.”
He added that this is a cruel paradox of the 21st century, and it is a reality for Ukrainians, Ukrinform reported.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Russia has been shelling and bombing Ukrainian cities and villages since then.
China musters the support of Russia to spar a new crisis in the region. China often violates the territorial waters of countries in the East China & South China Seas. But sighting a Russian frigate in the disputed waters is not so frequent. The presence of Chinese and Russian frigates in the region raises the suspicion of military activity in the region. However, the 4th July incident may have been prompted in a bid to avoid a typhoon … reports Dr Sakariya Kareem
On July 4, Japan protested to Beijing after spotting Chinese and Russian warships just outside its territorial waters around the disputed East China Sea islands. Japan’s Defense Ministry asserted that Chinese frigate sailed inside the “contiguous zone”, just outside Japanese territorial waters around Senkaku islands, for several minutes. Beijig also claims Senkaku islands as part of its territory and calls it Diaoyu.
China Russia flag. (Credit: Wikimedia commons)
China often violates the territorial waters of countries in the East China & South China Seas. But sighting a Russian frigate in the disputed waters is not so frequent. The presence of Chinese and Russian frigates in the region raises the suspicion of military activity in the region. However, the 4th July incident may have been prompted in a bid to avoid a typhoon.
Nevertheless, Japan lodged a protest expressing “grave concern” to Beijing over the incident. It claimed, “The Senkaku islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory historically and under international law. The government will deal with the matter calmly but firmly to protect the Japanese land, territorial waters and air space.” However, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian noted that the activities of Chinese vessels in waters nearby are lawful and justified.”
Japan views China’s increasingly assertive military activity in the East and South China Seas as a threat to regional stability. This was the fourth such incursion in Japan claimed waters and territory, since 2016, precisely in the contiguous zone, which is between the territorial sea and wider exclusive economic zone.
Earlier in the month of May 2022 also, Tokyo had protested against Chinese and Russian vessels operating off the disputed Senkaku islands. In fact, China’s expansionist moves and military activities in the East China Sea have been persisting for quite some time. Earlier in 2021, Japanese Defense Ministry white paper had expressed its serious concern over Chinese Coast Guard activities in the East China Sea, Defense Minister of Japan Nobuko Kishi had pointed out towards the “problematic provisions” in Beijing’s draconian Coast Guard Law which empowers the Chinese Coast Guard personnel to “demolish” other countries’ structures built on China – claimed reefs and to board and inspect vessels in waters claimed by China.
Two intertwined territorial disputes in the East China Sea currently persist between China and Japan. The first dispute concerns sovereignty issues regarding the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. The islands are administered by Japan but claimed by China, Japan does not recognise the existence of a territorial dispute. The second dispute concerns maritime delimitation in the East China Sea. The 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zones (EEZ), which is calculated from the baseline of the coast of the two countries overlap over a vast stretch of sea. The problem is eluding resolution due to China’s scant respect for international conventions.
Countries in East & South China Seas region are concerned over the unilateralism of China and its scant regard for international laws and conventions. They are trying to increase patrolling and defense preparedness while the United States is making efforts to ensure free and seamless mercantile movement in the region and contain Chinaese military activities by developing alliances with other countries.
China’s military expansionism includes accelerated efforts to build up military capabilities, which may lead to geopolitical instability in the East and South China Sea region. The other regional countries, nevertheless, are aiming at safeguarding their territorial integrity and sovereignty by promoting multilateralism, free mercantile movement, peace, stability and prosperity. Quad, an alliance including the US, Japan, Australia and India agreed in their recent summit in Tokyo in May 2022 to launch a satellite-based maritime security initiative aimed at a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The benefit of Quad’s agreement on maritime security can help even small countries of the South China Sea region to safeguard their sovereignty and economic interests. China is flexing its muscles even with small countries like Philippines and it imposed (April 2022) a three month ban on fishing in the waters where Philippines claims to have sovereign rights and jurisdiction since long. As China continued with its unilateralism by banning fishing in Filipino waters, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs registered a diplomatic protest (May 2022) against the Chinese ban. China had also attacked Vietnamese fishing and other vessels beginning 2013-14 and more frequently since 2019-20. Vietnam has registered its protest. However, Chinese belligerence continues.
The parties also shed light on joint cooperation, reviewing the investment opportunities available in the two countries, and developing the volume of bilateral trade…reports Asian Lite News
In line with the efforts made to strengthen economic relations and diversify foreign partnerships, Salem Al-Suwaidi, Director-General of Ajman Chamber met Ilya Raevskii, Acting Consul General in Dubai, in the presence of a delegation from the Ajman Free Zone.
The parties also shed light on joint cooperation, reviewing the investment opportunities available in the two countries, and developing the volume of bilateral trade.
The meeting was attended by Mohamed Ali Al Janahi, Executive Director of the Trade Development and International Relations at the Ajman Chamber, and from the Ajman Free Zone, Sheikha Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, Executive Director of Commercial Operations, Bashayer Ali Alkumaiti, Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development, and Kirill Podgornyy, Member of the Board of the Russian Business Council (RBC) in Dubai.
At the beginning of the meeting, Salem Al-Suwaidi welcomed the attendees and stressed the importance of the meeting to push forward the joint economic relations and create a supportive atmosphere to enhance partnership and exchange experiences between business owners from the two countries, in addition to highlighting the available investment opportunities.
Mohamed Al Janahi gave an overview of the advantages of the Ajman economy and the diversity of investment opportunities available in the sectors of “industry, real estate, building and construction, tourism, education, health, services, and other sectors”, explaining that the authorities concerned with economic affairs in Ajman are keen to provide an attractive and flexible business environment and accelerate the completion of transactions and procedures to meet the aspirations of traders and businessmen, in order to enhance the sustainability and growth of the business community.
Sheikha Al Nuaimi illustrated the competitive advantages and facilities provided by the Ajman Free Zone to investors and business owners, stressing that the diversity and momentum of the existing establishments enhance the development and sustainability of business and increase the attractiveness of the Ajman Free Zone and the competitiveness of the economic sector of Ajman in general.
Ilya Raevskii, Acting Consul General in Dubai, thanked for the warm reception and emphasised the depth of the existing relations between the two countries, praising the diversity of economic opportunities in the two countries, and considered the meeting as an opportunity to increase future cooperation in the economy and tourism sectors.
During the meeting, the attendees stressed the necessity of holding joint meetings between the business and trade communities in both countries according to the fields.
In addition, the Ajman Chamber and the Ajman Free Zone affirmed their keenness to provide an attractive and supportive business environment for investors from the Russian Federation.
Her current role marked a shift from the traditional first-lady activities centering on humanitarian and cultural realms, she said…reports Asian Lite News
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska made an emphatic appeal on Thursday for unflagging global solidarity behind her country’s struggle against Russia’s aggression, stressing the “democratic values of the entire world” are at stake in the prolonged conflict.
In an exclusive written interview with Yonhap news agency, Zelenska cautioned against any apathy toward the war touched off by Russia’s February 24 invasion and delivered an impassioned message: “Do not get used to the war.”
“I would like to emphasise that there is no place for a neutral position in this war,” the wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “You cannot dismiss it as something distant and irrelevant, because this war threatens not only Ukraine but also the democratic values of the whole world.”
She then stressed Ukraine is in need of “everything,” ranging from humanitarian aid and weapons to assistance for its post-war reconstruction.
The interview came as global attention appears to have relatively diminished compared with the initial stage of the war when the entire world was acutely aghast at the biggest conflict on European soil since the end of World War II in 1945.
Zelenska accentuated the importance of media attention, saying, “Indifference kills (people) indirectly.”
“This is my message to the media — give Ukraine maximum coverage and do not stop,” she said.
As part of her plea for Seoul’s support, Zelenska drew a comparison between South Korea’s experience of the 1950-53 war and the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine, saying the two countries have “a lot in common.”
“You, like us, know what it’s like to live next door to a neighbor who constantly threatens not only you, but the entire world with nuclear weapons,” she said.
“In the 1950s, the Western world came together to help South Korea win its war for freedom. Now the Western world has also united around Ukraine.”
Since the outbreak of the war, Zelenska has been at the vanguard of efforts to spread information about the devastating repercussions of Russia’s invasion and drum up global backing for Ukraine’s grueling fight against an invading Russia and for its post-war rehabilitation.
Her current role marked a shift from the traditional first-lady activities centering on humanitarian and cultural realms, she said.
“Before the war, we worked to improve food at schools to make it healthier and more balanced, but now we have to think about how to protect our children from famine,” she said. “Who would have thought that in the 21st century a first lady in a country in the center of Europe would face such tasks?”
“Humanitarian crises” are serious in Ukrainian cities occupied by Russia, she pointed out.
“I am simply scared to even imagine what is happening now in the occupied Ukrainian cities,” she said. “The Russians create humanitarian crises … so that people are forced to collect rainwater so that they don’t die of thirst, so that people simply stop feeling like people.”
Those crises have obviously taken a significant toll on children. Zelenska cited instances of a girl with gunshot wounds getting behind the wheel to drive four adults to safety and a women’s youngest son taking care of his mother and older sister in the hospital.
“This is what we see every day in our news. All Ukrainian children instantly became adults on Feb. 24,” she said.
Watching such ordeals, the first lady, a mother of two children herself, vowed to “fight for every child” and help the young generations overcome their “enormous trauma” inflicted by the ongoing tragedy.
“I would tell the children that we fight this war for the right to live in our own home, to speak our own language, to invite whoever we want as a guest,” she said. “This is a fight for the right to be a free person.”
Zelenska plans to host the virtual “First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit” on July 23 to discuss a wide range of issues related to the conflict, such as displaced people, education, children and women.
The transcript of her interview was written in Ukrainian and translated unofficially into English.
