Nord Stream 1 gas flows fall to 20% of capacity, as expected
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline, through which Russian natural gas has flowed to Germany since 2011, will be closed for about 10 days for scheduled maintenance work.
Alliance of the image | Alliance of the image | Getty Images
Gas flows through Nord Stream 1 from Russia to Germany were reduced to 20% of the pipeline’s capacity on Wednesday, as Gazprom had previously warned.
Gas network operator Gascade said 1.28 million cubic meters per hour, or about 20% of Nord Stream’s maximum capacity, has been transported via Nord Stream 1 in accordance with nominations as of 8 a.m. local time, Reuters reported Wednesday morning.
The supply cut came into effect just two days after the pipeline’s majority owner, Gazprom, said it would cut supplies through the route, which was already operating at severely reduced capacity and only reopened last week after of 10 days of annual maintenance, saying that he had done. additional maintenance to be done on a turbine.
The drop in flows is causing concern in Europe, and in particular Germany, which is still heavily dependent on Russian gas as it struggles to reduce its reliance on such supplies due to the Ukraine war.
EU countries agreed on Tuesday to cut their respective gas consumption by 15% from August to March, as fears settled over the winter outlook. The agreement provides for EU states to make voluntary cuts to their own gas demands, but could become mandatory if energy rationing is not implemented correctly.
—Holly Elliott
The Russian private military company Wagner has probably made advances in the Donbas
Russian private military company Wagner has likely made tactical advances in the Donbas around the Vuhlehirska power station and the nearby village of Novouhanske, according to the UK Ministry of Defense, with some Ukrainian forces likely to have withdrawn from the area
A mural praises the Russian Wagner Group and its mercenaries fighting in Ukraine on March 30, 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Pierre Crom | Getty Images
In its latest intelligence update, the UK noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is currently on a tour of Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and the Republic of Congo in Africa, a continent where it has tried to extend its influence.
“It is very likely that Russia will try to use the visits to blame the West for the international food crisis and win the support of African states that have otherwise remained neutral on the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the ministry said .
“Since 2014, Russia has made significant efforts to secure its influence in Africa, with Wagner frequently deployed as one of its preferred tools of influence in the region.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a joint press conference with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh after their talks in Moscow, Russia, April 27, 2022.
Swimming pool | Reuters
Russia probably engages with Africa primarily because it believes it will enhance the “great power” identity to which Russia aspires, Britain believed.
“Probably their secondary goals are to secure commodity concessions and persuade African states to vote in line with Russia’s interests in international forums.”
—Holly Elliott
Yellen discusses Russian oil price cap with Britain’s Nadhim Zahawi
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a press conference in Bali on July 14, 2022. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlighted a proposed Russian oil price cap in a call with the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department announced it in a press release issued the same day. The proposed price cap aims to ease the impact of Putin’s war on global energy prices and reduce Russia’s war income.
Sonny Tumbelaka | Afp | Getty Images
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed a proposed Russian oil price cap with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, according to Treasury reading.
Yellen previously said a cap on Russian oil prices would “deny Putin the revenue his war machine needs.”
The two also discussed US and UK support for Ukraine, as well as “opportunities to take advantage of the historic sanctions imposed on Russia,” according to the Treasury readout.
—Natalie Tham
Ukraine reportedly bombs bridge supply route to occupied Kherson
Ukrainian armed forces have reportedly shelled the Antonovsky Bridge leading to Russian-held Kherson in southern Ukraine.
The armed forces released a video on social messaging site Telegram last night that allegedly showed several missiles hitting the bridge that was seized early in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The reports could not be independently confirmed by CNBC.
The bridge is considered a vital supply route for Russian forces in the city used to keep them supplied with ammunition and other heavy weaponry and equipment. It is not the first time the bridge has come under attack as Ukraine tries to retake the city.
Ukrainian shelling last week left the bridge partially damaged and some reports suggest it may have been destroyed last night, but this has not been confirmed and the condition of the bridge is unknown.
—Holly Elliott
Zelenskyy says Russia is using gas prices to terrorize Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the NATO summit via video link, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 29, 2022.
Presidential Press Service of Ukraine | via Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is using gas prices to terrorize Europe.
“Among other things, the planned increase in gas prices above $2,000 per 1,000 cubic meters in European markets is enough experience to expand sanctions against Russia,” Zelenskyy said during an evening speech.
“Because it is clear to everyone that this is Russian price terrorism against Europeans. With Gazprom, Moscow is doing everything possible to make this coming winter as hard as possible for European countries. We need to respond to terror, impose sanctions,” he added. added
— Amanda Macias
US Defense Secretary Austin talks with Ukrainian counterpart about more military aid
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks at a news conference at the Pentagon on July 20, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia.
Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart and provided an update on the latest US military aid package.
Austin assured Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov that the United States is moving as quickly as possible to deliver equipment to Ukraine. Reznikov also updated Austin on the situation on the battlefield.
The latest security package will include additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. HIMARS, manufactured by defense giant Lockheed Martin, are designed to fire a variety of missiles from a mobile 5-ton truck.
— Amanda Macias
US Deputy Treasury Secretary Meets French Counterparts to Discuss More Sanctions Against Russia
Wally Adeyemo, Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, November 8, 2021.
Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo met with his government counterparts in Paris this week to discuss additional sanctions imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
Adeyemo also spoke with the executive director of the International Energy Agency about a price cap on Russian oil and other ways to restrict revenue to fund the Russian military.
“Additionally, Deputy Secretary Adeyemo met with financial services executives as well as economists and scholars to analyze the economic outlook in the United States, France, Europe and globally, and the impact of Russia’s illegal war, especially in global energy and food prices. insecurity,” according to a Treasury Department reading.
In the months since Russia invaded its former Soviet neighbor, Washington and its allies have imposed rounds of coordinated sanctions that pushed Russia past Iran and North Korea as the world’s most sanctioned country.
— Amanda Macias