Putin’s election in Russia will be a multi-day election for the first time
Voting will be held on three days – March 15, 16 and 17.
Category Eastern Europe
The EU to give member states right to block Russian gas imports – FT citing document
According to the proposed bill, any EU member state will be able to fully restrict access to gas pipelines and LNG terminals for gas operators from Russia and Belarus. In this way, the European Commission wants to push member states to reduce imports of Russian gas.
An explosion occurred at a firing range in Russia’s Ryazan Region. A Rosguard officer was killed and two others were injured
The local prosecutor’s office said that an explosive device spontaneously detonated there during a training exercise.
Adam Kadyrov has expressed his displeasure about not being nominated for TIME’s Person of the Year
His father has already signed a decree awarding him a “consolation medal”.
The children of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich have Lithuanian citizenship
The Lithuanian passports of Arkady and Anna Abramovich were used to carry out operations that are assessed as an attempt to circumvent international sanctions imposed on the oligarch. It was to their children that the oligarch transferred his assets, fearing their freezing.
Western sanctions against Russian oligarchs did not benefit Ukraine – AP
European Commission foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said the restrictions were intended to make oligarchs feel the consequences of doing business with the Kremlin.
Russia is drafting a bill to ban abortions in all private clinics, Kremlin media reports
It is reports that the bill is planned to be submitted to the State Duma in spring. The initiative will also affect the reduction of the period at which the termination of pregnancy is allowed.
The State Department said Russia rejected a “significant offer” to exchange Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, accused of spying
"In recent weeks, we made a new and significant offer to release Paul and Evan. That offer was rejected by Russia. We should not have made those offers. They should never have been arrested in the first place. They both should have been released immediately," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Cyprus suspends Russian ruble transactions
The Republic of Cyprus has taken a decisive step by instructing its banks to halt all transactions involving the Russian ruble. The directive, which encompasses all banking operations in Cyprus, a nation renowned for its robust financial services industry, signals a growing trend of isolating Russia from the global banking system.
Finnish companies probed for alleged illicit drone export to Russia
In a developing investigation, two Finnish companies are facing scrutiny for reportedly shipping 3,500 drones, valued at over three million euros, to Russia. The operation involved one company handling procurement while the other managed transportation.
