Igor Sechin

A total of 114 Russian politicians and high-ranking civil servants, as well as 96 oligarchs, have entered the list of people about whom it is believed that their power or wealth is related to President Vladimir Putin.

The United States on Thursday hit oil giant ExxonMobil with a $2 million fine for violating Ukraine-related sanctions at a time when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was still in charge of the company.

Russia said late on Dec. 7 it sold a stake in oil giant Rosneft for 10.5 billion euros ($11.3 billion) to Qatar and commodities trader Glencore, confounding expectations that the Kremlin's standoff with the West would scare off major investors. 

Russian investigators have charged Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev with extorting a $2 million bribe from Rosneft, Russia's biggest oil company, in a case that threatens to expose fault lines in President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has offered to temporarily suspend the planned increase in electricity prices by proposing the government to cover the cost while an independent audit takes place.

The announced electricity price hike has resulted in more than a week of protests, mainly in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Venezuela and Russia have agreed to invest more than USD 14 B in the oil and gas industry of the South American country, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said.

Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin stated Friday that if investment in the oil industry goes back up, oil prices may remain at USD 60- 80 per barrel.

Sechin explained that in case this doesn't happen, then prices could return to USD 100-110 per barrel.

He added that the company's capital expenditure program will be further cut by 30% this year, The Independent reported.

Japan joins EU and U.S. in sancions against Russia

TOKYO -- Japan has introduced visa restrictions for 23 Russian citizens, a day after the United States and the European Union introduced new sanctions against Russia.

The United States has announced new sanctions against Russia in relation to the events in Ukraine, Monday.