Author: Steven Sahiounie

Over the past year, the European Union was the top buyer of Russia’s fossil fuels, namely coal, oil and gas, according to the latest estimates by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). This is despite the bloc’s sanctions, which include a ban on Russian seaborne crude and coal imports and a price cap on oil and petroleum products from the country. Since the launch of its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has earned over $315 billion from international sales of its fossil fuels, with $149 billion, about half of the total, coming from…

Cold weather has caused a surge in demand, forcing the National Grid to put coal plants on standby as emergency backup The UK’s National Grid asked coal-fired plants on Tuesday to be ready to generate power for the first time this winter, as a late-season cold snap has caused a shortage in power supply across the country. The energy grid operator was leaning on coal to increase supplies, requesting three more units to prepare to generate after turning to Electricite de France on Monday. Coal-powered reserve units were readied for use several times throughout the winter, but this is the…

The United Arab Emirates has boosted its purchases of Russian crude oil despite increasing pressure from the US and its Western allies to curb trade with Moscow, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing ship tracking data and sources. Statistics show that around 1.5 million barrels of Russian crude have been shipped to the Gulf nation since November, with overall volumes having grown since early 2022. The latest cargo with Russian Urals crude reportedly arrived at the oil hub of Fujairah earlier this month. According to energy analytics firm Kpler, the first shipment occurred in 2019 but deliveries increased after April 2022,…

According to the company, the reason for this decision is the situation in Ukraine German tire manufacturer Continental has announced that it will continue to seek a controlled exit from the Russian market, according to a press release published on the manufacturer’s website on Wednesday. According to the company, the reason for this decision is the situation in Ukraine. On March 8, 2022, Continental announced the suspension of production and business in Russia, primarily the production of tires and components at the plant in Kaluga. The company also suspended exports of its products to Russia. Later, Continental decided to reopen…

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told that technical negotiations at the level of deputy foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iran would be held in Moscow next week Russia and Turkey would like to hold a four-party meeting at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Moscow next week, but so far there has been no response from Syria and Iran, Russia’s special presidential representative for the Middle East and African Countries. “We have already invited everyone, but have not yet received confirmations from everyone. We have already agreed it with our Turkish counterparts, but we are waiting…

A German investigation reportedly discovered trace elements of explosives connected to the explosion German authorities searched a boat in January which they suspect transported explosives ahead of the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines in September last year, the country’s Prosecutor’s Office said on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a search had taken place earlier this year, adding that authorities were still evaluating the items seized. The identities of the people allegedly associated with the rental of the vessel, as well as their potential motives, remained unclear, the official added, as quoted by German…

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian congratulated Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on his appointment as the new prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar. In a congratulatory message on Wednesday, Amirabdollahian expressed hope that the two countries will see further development and enhancement of friendly ties and bilateral cooperation with the employment of the two sides’ capacities, capabilities and opportunities. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday appointed Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as the country’s new prime minister. Sheikh Mohammed replaced former Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani.…

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned recent baseless allegations made by Germany’s foreign minister in Baghdad, saying the German official had better apologize for her country’s dark record in supporting the Saddam Hussein regime and equipping it with chemical weapons Nasser Kanaani said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was expected, before anything else, to apologize for Berlin’s disgraceful conduct during the 1980s Iraqi-imposed war on Iran instead of making unfounded allegations against the Islamic Republic. He said such baseless statements are an attempt to conceal Germany’s crimes in supporting the Saddam Hussein regime and equipping it with chemical weapons that were…

The Swedish RBS 70 man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) has been spotted with Kiev forces for the first time ever. On March 8, a photo surfaced online showing a soldier from the newly-formed 88th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces with the MANPADS in an unspecified area within the Russian special military operation zone. It is still unknown when exactly Sweden provided Ukraine with the RBS 70. Last September, the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Ann Linde said the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and Swedish Armed forces will explore the possibility of providing Ukraine with several weapon systems, including the…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky points out that if Bakhmut falls into the hands of Russian forces, more cities will shortly fall afterward. The eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut might fall into Russian hands in a few days, warned NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. His warning came after Russia’s Wagner group said they captured the eastern bank of Bakhmut, prompting EU ministers to discuss plans to improve Ukraine’s defense and send ammunition. During the year-long war in Ukraine, the fighting around Bakhmut has been the longest and most intense so far. Source: Almayadeen