Politics of Russia

Putin: U.S. conducts most aggressive, rigid policy

MOSCOW -- Russia is still ready for a dialogue with the United States, which is the best way to reach mutual understanding, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Gazprom plans to export 158.4 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas this year to Europe, including Turkey, down from 161.5 bcm shipped in 2013, the state-controlled company said on June 3.

Gazprom added that the average gas price it was charging its clients in Europe, including Turkey, was $387 per 1,000 cubic meters last year.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has announced Moscow and Beijing are to jointly establish a rating agency.

Siluanov explained the new body will first be used for assessing bilateral Russian-Chinese projects, but could later provide services to third countries.

BELGRADE - Serbia' First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met with Russian Ambassador Alexander Chepurin in Belgrade Monday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations and a forthcoming visit to Belgrade by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russia's energy giant Gazprom has decided to give Ukraine an additional week for its gas payment, setting June 9 as a new deadline.

Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller announced the move after the company received USD 786 M, the first tranche of the USD 2.237 B sum Kiev is to transfer for gas supplies within the coming days, RIA Novosti reported.

Russia will on Monday submit a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on creating a corridor to allow Ukrainians to escape areas affected by fighting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
      
"Russia today plans to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council," Lavrov said at a televised news conference.
      

Crisis-hit Ukraine won a vital reprieve from Russia on Monday when Moscow pushed back until next week a possible cut in gas shipments that would also impact parts of Europe.
      

Russia's Gazprom has pushed back to June 9 its ultimatum to Ukraine on imposing pre-payment for gas after Kiev paid $786 million in arrears, chief executive Alexei Miller said Monday.
      

The sons of two Russian politicians sanctioned by the EU over the Ukraine crisis are carrying out their business activity in Bulgaria, according to the daily Trud.

Alexey Kozak, whose father is Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, and Russian Parliament Legal Committee Chairman Vladimir Pligin's son Aleksander both own enterprises based in the Black Sea city of Varna.

Ukrainian Economy Minister Yuriy Prodan said "no progress" had been registered in negotiations with Russia over Kiev's debt for gas supplies.